Young Offenders?

[MarkM99]

I am back in court in a few weeks and have been told to expect 12 months sentence in a Young Offenders - am 19. Anybody know anything about what it is like and what to expect. Have been in a bit of trouble before but this is my first time looking at prison.

[Llamatron]

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
Idiot.

[pixie_woo]

19? I was under the impression that 18 was threshold age for prison.
Might be a wind-up.

[wizard69]

hey mark...try to ignore the self righteous people on here, the ones who will call you "idiot" without knowing anything about you or why you got yourself into this predicament.Ive never been to a Y.O. but i have been to prison so i dont know how the two compare.However been locked up CAN be a turning point if you are open to changing your life.Contrary to popular opinion, prisons are not holiday camps and can be a daunting experiance so be prepared.However jail is nothing like it is portrayed on the tv either.I found the biggest fears of going "away" were unfounded (no prison pansies waiting in the shower etc) but the feeling of being seperated from family and friends was hard and not been able to go where you want, when you want is difficult and of course there is a fair share of nutters in there.My advice is to keep yourself to yourself as much as possible, keep your head down, stay away from the drug barrons, and most of all make the most of what is on offer in terms of helping yourself make a change in your life.There ARE oportunities if you take them.Good luck.
P.S. Dont use prison issue toothpaste to clean your teeth with, its cheap muck...use it to stick photos of your loved ones on the wall...it'll help you to remember what you'r missing because of your crimes

[saxy_jag]

I've worked in a YOC, and I can only echo what wizard says. 'Porridge' is an old, stereotyped programme now, but Fletcher's line, "bide your time" still holds true. I've never worked in an adult prison, but I wouldn't think it's very different except in terms of age of inmates.

Expect the officers to be very strict on you to start with - after all, you'll be an unknown quantity to them. They can't afford to give you any leeway. Don't cheek them. Do as they say and question later. Surprisingly, they're quite human in the main. We used to have an older officer whom most people disliked - the epitome of Mr Mackay - but lads for whom he was key officer (your assigned 'personal' officer) couldn't speak highly enough of him.

Expect to be locked in your 'pad' (your cell, which you'll probably share with at least one other inmate) for most of the day, unless you take work or go to education classes, and expect spot searches at any time. Behave, and you get credits, which you can save for priviledges like a radio in your pad. Misbehave, and those priviledges are taken away.

You should be able to buy toiletries, cigarettes and sweets, but you won't get much money, so budget carefully. I've known lads to buy their smoke allowance even though they don't smoke, just to have the ciggies to trade, but I don't know how 'legal' that is.

Also, you're unlikely to be allowed free access to newspapers and internet facilities, so be prepared for that.

Pixie, I don't think this is a wind-up. I've worked with lads of 20 and 21 in YOCs. Sometimes there isn't room to transfer them to adult prisons, and sometimes it's felt that it wouldn't be a wise move. Mark is still very young in prison terms, and as a first offender, committal to a YOC is a very likely possibility.

[noxlumos]

Went to adult prison, not nice, but good advice from those that know above. Take heed of it. You never know your luck, you might get off without going down, if you do , take this as a huge warning shot and stay the hell out of trouble. Good luck.

[raysparx1]

Wizard is talking a lot of sense,take notice of him, keep your head down,don't act the hard nut,cos there is allways someone a bit tougher,good luck, Ray

[MarkM99]

Thanks for the info and advice.

I've been told that it will be Young Offenders - as I'm under 21. Knew the stories about the showers were exaggerated but good to hear that too. I think I can look after myself OK so that could come in handy. Just want to make the best of things in there and get back out as soon as I can. Glad to hear you can smoke - someone told me you couldn't in Young Offenders - so that's good to know.

[wizard69]

Mark...might be an idea to telephone the prison and ask how much tobacco you can take in with you.Also if you can take stationary (paper, envelopes, stamps etc).Different prisons have there own regulations regarding what you can take in with you.Take what you can as this will save a bit of money once inside.Good luck in court

[MarkM99]

Thanks wizard. Not sure where I will be sent so don't know where to check it out - I'll make sure I stock up though and see if I can find out. Do you get a certain ammount of money in there or so people have to send it in?

[wizard69]

Mark,dont know about Y.O but I presume that they run on roughly the same lines as adult prison .You can take as much money as you like but you are limited to how much you can spend per week.In the prisons ive been in you are classed as "basic" for the first week and spending is limited to �2.50 (this was some years ago and may be higher now) You are then classed as "standard" and spends go up to �10 per week.After some time-depending on good behaviour-you can apply to go on "enhanced" with spends around �30 a week.Your money goes into a prison account and you can have money sent in. Prison wages tend to be around �5-�10 a week so its a good idea to take what you can with you (if you'r getting sent down for robbing a bank then you will be ok..lol).Im sure that your solicitor will know where you will be sent so its worth finding out,prisons have there catchment area.Dont worry too much about getting sent down, I know its daunting (I was sh!ting myself the first time I knew i was going away) but its bearable if you make the most of it and if you use it to your advantage it can be a turning point in your life.Any more questions, feel free to ask.

[MarkM99]

Yeah I am pretty much ******** myself - it happens 3 weeks from today. I did ask my solicitor where I would likely end up and he thought that it would probably be Feltham but said that with the way things were at the moment it could be anywhere and mentioned Glen Parva too.

I know the biggest thing will be missing my gf, family and mates and feeling cooped up from being locked up for most of the day.

Just trying to find as much info as possible so I'm as prepared as I can be. What I'm most worried about is what happens on the first few days - not knowing what to do, how to act and what to stay and standing out as a newbie. Everybody says the first few days are the worst and am dreading the thought of being kept handcuffed for hours going there when I'll probably be feeling **** and then having to get strip searched and getting kitted out and then having to go in with a stranger that might be a nutter - not sure even if you do share. Any info or advice on that would be great.

I know I've let a load of people down but I just want to get through this in one piece and then get on with the rest of my life - maybe join the army if I can.

[Peter Pedant]

Mark - I am exremely sorry to read that you are expecting prison. The odd thing reading the postings is that you are easily goiing to be in the top 5% of intelligence, so use your time to shape up and not get back in.

Oh and the other thing is....armed forces are out in the short term. I think thwy want five years good behaviour before letting you in.

PP

oh a conflict of interest - I got a kicking from a client's father at work,and then a year or so later, from one of the kids around the corner. Neither went to prison but that wasnt thro my lack of trying. I mean honestly I am nearing 60, cant people keep their hands to themselves ?
Good luck anyway, a view from the other side of the street.

[wizard69]

Mark,
click on this http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/
theres a link to prison life and then a further link to Y.O.I's
Yep,you will probably stick out like a sore thumb for the first few days but so will the other newbies and so did everone else in prison at one time or another.Just try and be yourself and you'll be ok.
You will probably spend the first few days on induction...been interviewed by various members of the prison staff to determine what your needs may be (alcohol/drug councilling, anger managment etc) you will also probably be seen by a member of the prison clergy.Im an atheist but these people can be invaluable if you'r feeling in need of a cry or a chat about any concerns you may have, no matter what your beliefs, so dont be embarresed about asking to see a minister if you need to-a lot of convicts do! Strip searching is no big deal and is over in seconds so dont worry about that.If your not happy with your cellmate you can ask for a cell transfer..most of the cell mates ive had have been pretty normal.not even sure if you do share in Y.O.Its unlikely that you will be on an all day bang up as working (or education classes) is compulsory.The first few days can be tough but it does get better, just gotta learn to adapt and realize that its only for a few months( I know that seems a long time to you but believe me, once you get ino the swing of it , it will fly.Especially if you keep busy.Yes you CAN keep busy in jail.Work,various courses,gym,library.
Finally, make it clear to your family and friends that letters are important to you.They are a lifline inside, just knowing that someone is thinking of you makes it that bit easier.
Good luck mate-you can do it.

[MarkM99]

Thanks for all that. I now I'm lucky that my family and gf are sticking by me and they have siad they'll write and visit when it happens. Feel a bit better about thing having got more info on here and from other things. I'm sure I'll get on OK.

12 months seems forever at the moment but I've been told that if things go OK I could be out in half the time - on a tag or whatever so that would make it alot shorter.

[wizard69]

marc, if you get 12 months you will be out in 6 (good behavihour)and if you are eligble for a tag you will be out in less time than that.Its been my experience that solicitors always give you the worst case scenario and you often end up doing less time than they predicted (after all it makes THEM look good that THEY got you a smaller sentence).Most soliciters are bigger con artists than the clients that they represent.Its good to know that your family and girlfriend are standing by you, believe me ,it will go a long way to helping you through this.