IMB Jamieson Makes A Boob - By Penelope Parole

http://prisonersfamiliesvoices.blogspot.com/2009/11/david-jamiesonsorry-but-you-are-tosser.html

I love the post above by Kath Mguirk. (Please see link)
What is this David Jamieson banging on about prisoners families smuggling mobiles in their bra's? Well no offence Mr Jamieson but the first thing that springs to mind is, how the hell can a woman with 32AA knockers manage to hide a Nokia in an egg cup eh? So Mr IMB Jamieson, to say you've made a boob with that statement, I thought I'd send you a picture of my custom made bra - which of course should I ever have the pleasure of visiting Wandsworth, you should recognise me.
I'm getting a bit fed up of prisoners families being blamed for smuggling in mobiles all the time. I'm also likely to cause some controversy about it as well. So next time anyone else wants to point the finger at families, will you please bring up the subject of Penelope Parole smuggling in a Sat Nav up her arse to help the convicts find their way around the wing!

David Jamieson.......sorry but you are a tosser!!

Having just watch this man on the BBC news I can't think of a more appropriate headline. Jamieson is the Chairman for the IMB(Independent Monitoring Board, for those that don't know) at HMP Wandsworth. Once again the blame of smuggling is put on families. We now smuggle 'phones in our bras!! The BBC showed an anonymous woman saying she had done just that. They failed to secure an interview with any of the convicted officers that have done the very same. When asked about the staff Jamieson highlighted volunteers and contractors to detract from serving officers.

This is a man that takes complaints from prisoners and looks at them independantly. Complaints of bullying and infringement of rules and rights and unfair treatment. I suggest he looks at his own assumptions and independence because he seems to be in someones pocket and I can assure you it isn't the families of prisoners.

He also stated that visitors to Wandsworth are no longer routinely searched. Can someone please let me know if this is true as the last time I visited I had every part of my searched and went through a metal detector.

X-Factor Jedward Furious!

Jedward have finally been booted off the X-Factor. Love em or loathe em, either way the twins are going to make a few quid! However, John and Edward are furious that copy cats BrownStraw are set to take the stage later next year!

Festive Bee - By Fiona C

Hello to all. I would like to know if Leve can design a festive bee for your blog saying it is coming up to Christmas?
___________________

Note from the Ed: Well Leve, that'll give you something to do eh? I think a little PFV festive bee would look rather dapper actually?

Prison Is A Safer Place - By M

I feel compelled to write in after reading Karen Mellor's comments regarding families of prisoners.
I have always thought Karen Mellor's opinions were rather rash and at times controversial, but her recent post about children coming first was absolutely spot on.
There are other ways of supporting your family member inside without running to their beck and call supplying them with money. I accept that due to the frustrating and uncalled for telephone rates in prison that a little bit of cash is often needed, but some families I know have gotten in to debt by finanicially supporting their loved ones in prison.
I too have someone special to me in prison. With Christmas approaching and presents to buy for my family, I have made the decision to visit every fortnight instead of weekly. I get a little bit of help from the APV, but I'm sure you will agree with me when I say visits cost us money regardless. I'm not in a position to financially support my loved one inside, my priority is to maintain a roof over mine and his children's head whilst he serves his sentence.
I have the up most respect for charities that represent us and campaign on behalf of us. I was recently offered some excellent support from a charity not long back. My advice to those who work for prisoners families organisations is to go undercover one day and stand outside a visitors centre. The conversations you will over hear from some individuals are shocking. Only last week I heard one girl with a baby in her arms saying she had spent nearly £200.00 on clothes for her boyfriend inside for Christmas. Naturally that is none of my business but the young girl (accompanied by a friend) was working out her fortnightly benefit pay leading up to Christmas.
I utterly agree with those who condemn any inhumane treatment of prisoners and for some families with a loved one inside, the prison life is a worry to them. My outtake on that is they are in a safer place than we on the outside.
The age issue has been raised on the blog and I thoroughly agree with it. I'm in my 30's and I have found that many of the younger families fail to realise what their boyfriends are in prison for. I often look at babies and young children on visits and say to myself: I wonder if that little one will follow in his father footsteps?

Harriet Harman To Be Prosecuted

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Harriet-Harman-To-Be-Prosecuted-For-Driving-Without-Due-Care-And-Attention-And-Using-Mobile-Phone/Article/200911315458418?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15458418_Harriet_Harman_To_Be_Prosecuted_For_Driving_Without_Due_Care_And_Attention_And_Using_Mobile_Phone

She likes driving in her car....
It's probably a Jaguar..

In A Spin!

Pic By Leve

Cocker Spaniel, Max, was struck down with a mystery canine bug this week, so dog handler Bert had to draft in giant Poodle Mavis to do the cell spins! Leve was told that Mavis was borrowed from Julian Clary, but this information is yet to be confirmed.

Children Must Come First - By Karen Mellor

There have been loads of interesting comments on the blog this week. The ones I have took a particular interest in are those concerning children.
As anonymous clearly stated, we shouldn't judge those who send in money to their loved ones inside. Or should we? We've all sent in postal orders I'm sure, but given the choice of buying my children footwear or my husband footwear, the answer for me is fairly obvious who comes first.
I have witnessed and heard conversations whilst having a cigarette outside visitors centres the extreme that some families go to, to make their partners in prison happy. One person that I know of sends in her weekly child benefit to her partner? Most of us with children will shake our heads in sheer disbelief. That money is provided to us by the government for our children. It isn't for a prisoner to squander.
On some weeks my husband eats better than me regardless of how much he may complain about the food.
I have yet to hear a charity or organisation write about the subject of children going without because their mothers prefer to spend their child benefit money on their loved ones inside.
As far as I am concerned, this is a serious issue that is overlooked and taken over by stories of how much a family struggles finanically when their loved ones are sent to prison. Some families may argue that that they feel pressured in to sending in money? More like they are fooled in to sending in money by reading jail mail that would wipe Mills And Boon off the shelves!
Anonymous made another interesting comment that I picked up on. I too have witnessed children crying because they don't want to leave HMP- not their fathers- but the establishment as a whole because some prison's provide toys and games that probably half of these children haven't got because their mothers are throwing money at their partners for the latest pair of trainers. Prison should not frighten children but they shouldn't be refurbished either in to some kind of Wacky Warehouse circus!
The last comment I would like to make is about prison's being too soft. Think about it, if you went to a restaurant that served warm food cold with cockroaches hopping around, would you go back?

Prison Officers Strike Is Over

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8366922.stm

I've Got Myself A Crying, Talking, Sleeping, Walking, Prison Doll....

Pic by Leve

PFV asked Penelope Parole and Leve what they thought of the prison officers strike at Walton.
Shockingly they sent us this photo of a screw delivering a blow up doll after inmates were complaining of being banged up for nearly over 24 hours!
One screw (who cannot be named) told us: ' The prisoners have become distressed so we thought a special inflatable scheme might cheer them up.'
Penelope and Leve commented: ' I suppose the prisoners feel a bit deflated - Just like the doll eh?

Prison Officers Strike May Spread

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8365761.stm

Thanks to Suzie for sending the above link to us!

Prison Officers And Families - By Nikki

I know this subject has probably been spoken about many times, but I would like to hear from anyone who visits if they have had any problems with prison officers and their attitudes?
My other half was recently moved and the prison officers there have been more compassionate towards families. The last prison he was in was a private run one in Manchester and their attitudes were pathetic.
____________________________________

If you would like to reply to Nikki's post, please email us at: prisonersfamilieswriting@googlemail.com
Or alternatively set up a quick google mail account and leave your comments on the thread.

Bang Up Time!

Pic By Leve

I always found this picture of Jackie boy a bit swarmy - well when any man fiddles with his tie it can only mean one thing - can't it?
Anyway, I thought Jack looked rather lonely stood alone on the wing in this particular prison, so I asked Leve if he could add a few 'friends' for him!

Do Visits Work? - By Fiona Dunster

When I first started reading the blog, one of the things that were repeated were the way visits are run. What I found bizarre was when I took my daughter visiting once, they had a lovely play area where kids were kept occupied. The thing was though, my partner couldn't move off his seat. He was so much looking forward to seeing her, but she was engrossed with the activites in there and barely said a few words to him. I respect that people are trying to help us maintain family ties whilst visiting but what is the point of taking your child to a visit when the play area distracts them maintaining a bond with their mum or dad? I also agree with people on here that they often end up babysitting other peoples children on visits. I was recently lumbered with a little boy who was playing around mine and my partners table whilst his mother was slobbering over her boyfriend. I was furious that his mother just let him run riot. I always feel like visits are a case of shut up and put up and we should be thankful that we are allowed to see our partners. I am grateful I can see my partner and take my daughter along but whilst I am there, I would like a bit of order and for us as a family to communicate with a bit of respect from others.

The Need For Ann Summers? - By Penelope Parole

Happy Sunday to all my friends and readers of Prisoners Families Voices. Right, where do I start? Well firstly I would like to thank those who have sent me emails and questions believe it or not. I've had quite a number of questions about conjugal visits and women asking me whether or not the government should allow them. The bizarre thing about it was that most of these women's other half's where doing sentences in the range of between 3 - 6 months! I thought of sending them the address and telephone number for the sex addiction clinic Michael Douglas stayed in but I didn't want to cause any offence. I thought, Jesus H, some of these women need ice - the type you freeze in to cubes and not the one you get from a dealer thank you very much!
The best email was from a young lass whose partner is in HMP Kirkham and she wanted to know why the Prison Service wouldn't allow conjugal visits. Now God knows what they do on town visits and home leave? Learning him how to work the new LCD telly maybe? Inviting his probation officer round for a brew and French Fancy possibly? Of course I mean the French Fancy as in the cake!
Not a lot of people like talking about sexual 'prison' frustration but it seems to be a very 'popular' topic these days. I'd suggest the charity Relate but what's the bloody point when only one of you can turn up? Unless the prisoner gets cuffed up with a screw on a day outing? Imagine that?
I'm a bit baffled by the number of prisoners wags who can't cope without a bonk when their partners are only doing a short stretch? What's wrong with you? There must be something because I never missed looking at the ceiling when my fella was doing a stretch? I never missed using the word 'hurry up' either! Anyway, keep the questions coming and write to me at: penelope.parole@googlemail.com

What Is Santa Saying To Jack?

Pic By Leve

Well we don't hide our feelings for Jack Straw here on Prisoners Families Voices, so this weekends caption comp is: What is Santa whispering behind Jack Straw?

Thanks Gaz for sending us in this little gem. Gaz said he saw this sign when he first took a shower inside HMP?

Proposals Please - By Penal Reformer!

I will give a big round of applause to Robyn Levers post ( Time For The Gloves ) because how many times have I got to read about families speaking at conferences about their hardship and personal experiences such as how hard it is on the outside without their partners? Yes I agree it's pretty crap but what we need to hear are families actually saying what they want and what should be done to help our kids. I'm another who read this months Inside Time article and I'm sorry but what the hell was Farida Anderson actually on about? I couldn't give a stuff about 20 years ago!!!!! I want to hear what exactly is going to be done NOW, and I want to hear about what proposals are going to be put forward to governing bodies!!!!!!

Are Parents To Blame? - By Anonymous Mum

I joined your Facebook site to support the children effected by the wrong doing's of their parents. I am also impressed by the honesty of your blog.
In 2006, my son was attacked and badly beaten by a gang of youths. Two of the youths received a custodial sentence. Last month, I heard that the same youths were sent to prison again for similar offences. I have no knowledge of prison and its rules but I was appalled when it got back to me that one of the youths who battered my son was able to have his Playstation sent in to him. I had visions of prison being a place of discipline, not a recreation centre for criminals.
I ask myself whether their parents are to blame? Of course not every parent is but when I see youths still wandering the streets at midnight on a school day then you have to question their parental skills. I often see children as old as 12-13 sat on walls nearing midnight and I wonder what kind of parents are allowing their children to do so.
I have read many posts on your blog that stipulate the word education and I wholly agree that education is cheaper than prison. The system is failing everyone all round.
For prisons to allow such perks as Playstations is beyond me. Even though my family are victims of crime, I wouldn't want any person to starve or to be treated badly, but I do believe in discipline and I feel that prisons in this country are enticing criminals to go back to their establishments for all the wrong reasons.

Don't Forget The Important Things - By Janis

I disagree with Karen Mellor!!! I am a believer in love and I am a believer that pen pal relationships work on the outside!!!
Sure some won't work but why deny people of that happiness I ask?

I would like to reply to the above written by Anonymous. For this person's information, I wrote to an inmate about five years ago and when he was released, I found out he had a ready made family waiting for him on the outside. I'm not saying that they don't work because I am sure there are some people that make a success of it when they meet on the outside. As for Karen Mellor's post, I don't disagree with her at all because there are far too many people wrapped up in their love life that they are forgetting the important things like their kids and why their partners are locked up in the first place. As for love, well it takes a damn sight more than a kiss and a cuddle to reform some of the characters that have been inside and are having to adapt to the outside.

A Little Smasher!

One of our close friends and supporters, Ellie, brought her little baby to see us yesterday! Here's 4 month old Harvey and what a little smasher he is too! I wonder if father Christmas will bring me one? Anyway, here's to the new PFV mascot Harvey!

Hands Are Tied - By Julie

I read the article in Inside Time on prisoners families and I agree with many that children should be put to the fore front. I too was hoping that wasn't the conclusion to Farida Anderson's (POPS) speech at the Action For Prisoners Families conference. Everything changes with the times but I agree that there has been some hard work involved with these charities to succeed in doing so. I hate to say this and maybe you will think that I am being somewhat ungrateful but I feel there is still much to do regarding visitors centres. I do however understand that the Prison Service put many restrictions on families and the main problem is in my eyes that it is them who need to move with the times. Charities have their hands tied to a degree and the go ahead must come from those and the government.

What's The Con Saying To Santa

Thanks to Faz for sending us in this Cartoon sketch. We'd like your comments on what the prisoner is saying to Santa? Come on Leve, I'm sure you of all people can think of something to start us off with?

A Bigger Picture - By Anonymous Supporter

First of all I would like to say hi and congratulate you on a brilliant blog. I look forward to reading it every day.

I would like to respond to Kath Mcguirk's post on why some women persistantly put up with the tirade of abuse from their loved ones in prison.
Some prisoners have the extreme knack of making the situation a very sorrowful one. They are in prison, incarcerated, so it really is a case of making us feel extremely sorry for them.
Like Kath and Karen, unfortunately for my partner, prison violin strings don't play an healthy tune for me either.

I absolutely agree with Scarlett that there is without a question of doubt an age factor. I feel there are two groups of prisoners families. One that contains a number of individuals that blame everyone but their loved ones inside, and one that actually realises that their loved ones are in fact to blame and lessons need to be learnt. I too have read many 'woe is me' posts online yet many of these women have young children that are battling to come to terms with 'losing' their mothers and fathers. My son once said to me, ' Mummy, why has Daddy chose to live in prison and not with us?' You simply cannot answer questions as such with flowers on them.

Finally, some of the posts on the blog that criticise charities and organisations that represent prisoners families I agree with also. I know that many do a marvellous job and I will be the first to thank them for that. However, I am forever disappointed that the subject of children doesn't seem to be a priority and it should be. I'm an adult, I am big enough and old enough to make my own decisions and those that worry they cannot afford to send their partners money one week- shame on you, because if you look hard enough and closer to home, there really is a bigger picture.

You Don't Say!

Thanks to one of our supporters Stuart for sending us in this sensible picture of a sign.
It's not outside the NOMS office is it? The reason I ask is because whoever erected this must have some really top qualifications!

Time For The Gloves - By Robyn Levers

Just when I thought there was a bit of hope huh? Well twenty years ago we didn't have organisations that don't work such as NOMS for a starters! Sarah Davis may mean well but according to feedback I receive, the NOMS bunch just turn up at conferences for a snack and a natter. As for the Farida Anderson speech? I guess that was just an extract from it, or at least I hope it was and the rest was more positive than what I've just read in Inside Time!
I now think that NOMS and other government bodies need a run for their money. Hands up if you agree with me? I would like to see NOMS and the rest of them face people like us and my word would a bunch of us off here give them a conference worth remembering! They need to come face to face with a no nonsense group of prisoners families, ones that will ask questions others are afraid to ask. Personally, I couldn't give a monkey's about speeches reminiscing back twenty years. Like others on here have so rightly stated, a lot of things change in twenty years!
Of course things have progressed and in another twenty years I wouldn't be surprised if there is a Macdonalds in every nick in the UK!
A lot of people are completely missing the point here. I for one can cope without a man around. However, there are children that find not having a mother or father around emotionally brain wrecking. As far as I am concerned, NOMS and the rest of them need to pull their fingers from up their backsides and concentrate on resources for these children! If NOMS and other governing bodies want to take it a step further, then the first port of call is getting out there on visits to witness some of the families who clearly couldn't give two sh*ts as to why their loved ones are sat behind a table wearing a prison bib. As Farida Anderson points out, 'families play a key role in reducing re-offending.' Not if they aren't educated they can't!
On this blog and forums such as PCUK, there are families who do give a sh*t and if NOMS or whoever want to hear some voices, then this blog alone will certainly deliver them first class.

Knowledge

To me this says and shows just how much they really know of the prison system, then and now. Christ you only have to watch 1 episode of Porridge to have a better idea than that!!
Also the visitors centres and their snacks COST US MONEY so do we really benefit. No i don't think so.

Inside Time Newsround Article On Prisoners Families

Karen Mellor comments on an article in this months (November) issue of Inside Time. Please see the newsround piece below:


Strong support for prisoners’ families is all
important in reducing re-offending, Sarah
Davis of NOMS (pictured) told delegates at
the annual Action for Prisoners’ Families
Conference held in Birmingham.
Her plan, as head of policy (or Policy Lead as
she is officially titled) on Children and
Families at NOMS was to involve families in
sentence planning and to arrange for every
prison to have a Family Support Worker.
To the delight, no doubt, of the entire prison
population and their families she also said
she was currently involved in developing
minimum standards for prison visits.
Farida Anderson MBE (pictured) who started
Partners of Prisoners (POPS) in Manchester
more than 20 years ago reminded delegates
of what it was like to visit prisons just two
decades ago.
‘There were no visitor’s centres, no refreshment,
no crèches and a serious lack of facilities.
Visiting rooms were often smelly places
and the attitude of staff was generally very
unhelpful.’
‘People need to see families as part of the
solution in reducing re-offending rather than
the problem. People need also to see families
as a positive resource and support those
families where they need support’, she said.
‘A customer … on our premises is not an
interruption in our work he is the purpose of it’
she added, quoting the words of Mahatma Ghandi.
________________________________

I don't know whether to laugh or cry? Farida Anderson needs to get a grip and stop harping on about prison's 20 years ago! There were no visitors centres 20 years ago? Well 20 years ago Farida, there were no canteens either because you could take your own food in as well as treats and cigs for your loved ones. The searches weren't exactly searches and you didn't need a passport and an handful of utility bills to enter the visits room either!
Visiting rooms were often smelly places? If you look at the visitors rooms now, 20 years on, you will find that visits rooms are full of screaming unmanned kids running around and wannabe page 3 girls draped over their loved ones like they are about to perform in an 18 plus movie!
Let me point out also to Farida Anderson that whilst the lovely little visitors centres are put in place, someone out there is making a profit because please don't think for one minute you are doing us a favour, we, the families, still have to dig deep in to our pockets for refreshments thank you very much.
People need to see families as a positive resource in a solution to help reduce re-offending? Maybe you should start visiting in the 20th century then because half of the families I have come accross aren't remotely interested in supporting their loved ones emotionally, they are more bothered about supporting them finacially by sending in postal orders they can ill afford, oh and I almost forgot, something else they didn't have 20 years ago, top ups for mobile phones!
That article featured in this months Inside Time tells me absolutely sod all and it is just a pity I wasn't there at the conference because we need a bit more than someone standing on a podium quoting Ghandi! Give me a microphone and let me tell everyone what families of prisoners really want, because it is about time someone opened their mouths and spoke some sense and concentrated on the REAL issues here - CHILDREN!

Remembrance Sunday

Would just like to mention our soldiers today who have given their lives for our country over the years and those that continue to risk their lives fighting for our country. Whatever my personal view of the ongoing war in Afghanistan it doesn't undermine my respect for those that are fighting out there on orders from this Government. They have even less contact with their families than prisoners, some may never come home and those that do often come back so scarred emotionally and many end up in our prison system. Some are living on rations of plain rice as supplies struggle to make the front-line over there. I can understand the publics frustration that prisons are too soft when we can't even supply our soldiers with decent food. For those that have died may they rest in peace.

Wearing The Trousers - By Karen Mellor

I am on the same wavelength as you Kath Mcguirk. If my man speaks to me like shit on the phone - and on occasions he has - I don't bother turning up on a visit. If he chooses not to ring after that then he doesn't get a letter asking why and he doesn't get a chaplain turning up at his cell door with a message from me either. I too have heard men slate their partners on visits for either not wearing a low cut top or not jumping to their demands by sending in postal orders.
I have also met deluded women who claim to 'be in love' with their pen pal prisoner. Receiving love letters and Lancelot style phone calls is all very well and 'romantic', but unfortunately, many are used as cash cows for an easy life on the inside. It's pathetic isn't it when the prisoner tries to rule the roost from the inside? I am not too sure why some women put up with it, but anyone who has any self respect for themselves should stick two fingers up and tell them to piss off, pardon my french. When I have asked women why they put up with it, their answers have always been - 'but I love him.' Half of these women have never been intimate with their men, nor have they shared the 'normal' things in life together, so where the hell this 'love' thing comes in to it, don't ask me because I find the whole thing hysterical to say the least.
Genuine people and families like ourselves are thrust in to this bloody awful situation yet their are nut cases who thrust themselves in to it by 'falling in love' with a prisoner. I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone so why the hell they choose to put themselves in this predicament is beyond me. I am certainly not saying that writing to a prisoner is a bad thing, it isn't and I write to a few prisoners myself, but those who have this Kathy and Heathcliff vision on how wonderful their life's will be on release need to take a massive reality check.
I too would like to hear from people who have had the piss taken? Sorry for my language but I really can't say it any other way.

Does Your Imprisoned Loved One Speak to You Like Sh*t? - Kath McGuirk

I often read forums claiming the above and experienced it first hand on a visit the other day. A prisoner telling his partner how she could of made an effort with herself...........says he looking like a Run DMC throwback with his baggy jeans and trainers with its tongue more protruding than a dog with sunstroke. How he needed more money and if she couldn't provide this he would have to find someone that could. Needless to say she was in tears before the end of the visit.

Why is it that some of us women suffer this mental torture even with their men behind bars? I can only hazard guess at what they are like on the out but it certainly wouldn't want to be a relationship I would wish to continue once they are released. I am not ashamed to say I wear the trousers in my relationship...........one hint of disrespect and he is very much told about himself. I deserve more and am glad to say he knows that.

If you are one of these women I would really like to know why you suffer it time after time? Why you make excuses about how prison is awful and it is not surprising that they lash out at their nearest and dearest? Women died getting their sisters the vote: Women have suffered years of inequality in all aspects of society and many brave women have fought to ensure our equal rights in areas such as employment. Why would you undermine all that by allowing a man to belittle you and emotional scar you? I really am intrigued to know the answer.

The Bolton News - Veteran Thrown Out Of Supermarket

The link below from the Bolton News is a good one. A veteran was slung out of Asda because he had been previously done for benefit fraud. Apparantly six people complained about him selling poppies? I'm just wondering if those six people will vote in the general election because if they do, shame on them for voting for parties that fiddle tax payers and claim expenses for homes and other little perks. However, that's Bolton for you! The majority of people living here couldn't even blow their hats off if their brains were made of dynamite!

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4721183.Poppy_selling_veteran_thrown_out_of_supermarket_after_complaints_from_customers/

Rubber Turkey - By Jailhouse Lawyer

In answer to your question Wendy, Jailhouse Lawyer has kindly replied:

What extra food prisoners are given at Xmas is paid for by depriving them of rations throughout the year.

It used to be the case that prisoners would get Xmas stockings with tobacco, chocolate, nuts, fruit etc. As the years went on the stocking got lighter until it disappeared.

Even the slice of real turkey was replaced by a rubbery slice of reconstituted turkey...

Bah humbug!

EEK! A rubber slice of turkey is not good - not good at all!

Leg It!

Lego? Wrong! After a spell of stalking incidents, Leve and Penelope Parole were given these amazing identity deterrent costumes by good friend Ellie.

It's Snow Joke!

Oh dear! Well that's what you get for smoking ice mate! Stay off the drugs pal!

Prison? No Problem - By Anonymous

I am so glad that Kath and Karen have come forward by talking about prison's being too soft. My son openly told me that prison does not bother him in the slightest bit and when he gets there, he always knows someone anyway. One of the hardest decisions for me was to walk away from him because it is just too stressful for me. His girlfriend visits him and I think she enjoys that lifestyle. I could go on but I would rather leave it there. Thank you Kath and Karen for being honest and bringing this out in to the open for people.

Rehabilitation? By Sue

I have been through this situation myself and my ex partner served just over six years in prison.
I honestly don't think the Prison Service and the Government understand what the word rehabilitation means. My ex partner was released from prison and shortly afterwards went back. He had learnt quite a few valuable things inside such as art and crafts and other skills. However, his 'skills' were firmly left behind and were hardly any use to him, me and his children.
Skills inside are all very well and good if you can continue with them on the outside but I'll say this much, painting a picture of a cat and writing a poem about your family will not put food on the table out here. My ex had to take courses on drug rehabilitation whilst he was inside and yes, they were a benefit to him, or so I thought, because just a month after his release, having struggled to find work, he opted for the easy way out and turned to a bag of brown powder.
I so agree with Kath and Karen's posts and for all those with a loved one inside, I would like to wish you all well and send my love.

Straws Prison Paradise - By Karen Mellor

Welcome back Kath! Nice to hear from you again and here's hoping you are back in the best of health.
I have always said that the UK prison's are way too soft and whilst I believe in fractions of the human rights act, sometimes they do us no favours. The leniency of some of the sentences passed by crank judges beggars belief and it also sickens me that sex offenders are often wrapped in cotton wool and given insulting sentences that are simply not justified.
I also agree with you Kath about the age issue that Trish brought up in a recent post. I think it balls down to education and I feel like many, that the younger families need to realise that prison is not acceptable. Many young women I have seen on visits are dressed like they are going to a night club. Prison is supposed to be an establishment for punishment, visits should be educational and instead of being that, a visits room these days looks like some kind of speed dating event and yes, some of the screws eyes need putting back in to their heads.
The whole thing in my opinion is an absolute joke. My hubby is fed well despite some complaints online that the food is crap and so on. I don't take too kindly to eating ready meals sometimes, but when needs must, I have to. A friend of mine last week couldn't do her washing because she had limited credit on her electric meter, her hubby needn't worry about that because he doesn't pay for it where he is. Bitter? Of course people and family members of prisoners are bitter because if prison's here in the UK were harder then people might just think twice about bloody well going back there! Put it this way, and I am not ashamed of saying it, if I was homeless, cold, poorly and sleeping on a park bench, I would definitely opt for a stint inside. A couple of shop lifting sessions later and I'd be eating three meals a day, have access to a gym to improve my health, a bed I can sleep in with clean sheets, a TV I needn't worry about paying a licence for and enroll on a course that I'm knocked back for on the outside either because the government won't fund it or I don't qualify because of my circumstances and the rest of the red tape rubbish the Job Centre Plus come out with. Prison? At one time it used to be a word that sent shivers down any ones spine - Ask any of the young offenders if it scares them? Ask the majority of those on recall whether it bothers them to do an extra 12 or 6 months again? Stand on the steps of a Magistrates Court for a day and speak to those facing a short sentence, I will guarantee it will open your eyes!

Glad to Be Back!!

I haven't been on for a while due to illness and the breakdown of my beloved pc but am back online now and have just been catching up on some of the posts and am pleased to see such a variety of opinions on such things as penal reform and rehabilitation.

As some of you may know my hubby is serving a life sentence. I have chosen to support him through this and stand by him but take on board all the comments made by some on here about the offender helping themselves and about the damage their behaviour has caused to their children and I wholeheartedly agree with you all and often struggle to maintain the level of support I gave at the beginning of the sentence as I struggle to raise my child on my own.

APF quote a statistic of an offender is 6 times less likely to offend with family support but when the families are often left in crisis by imprisonment how realistic is this statistic in today's economic climate, as highlighted by Scarlet's situation? When the agencies involved with rehabilitation and release refuse to involve or support those families? I wrote on here a while back that as family member I would desperately like to be involved in my partner's rehabilitation and sentence planning as the future involves us all as a family. Trisha Gibson, in her post entitled Age Dispute, perhaps highlighted a reason why we are not. Having recently attended a review of one of my husband's courses I spoke with the offender manager who chaired the meeting. She thanked me profusely for my involvement saying that I was the first family member to turn up this week as the 3 previous reviews she had chaired the family members had not. I am guessing it may be an age thing, but only a guess but if we don't involve ourselves such opportunities to have a say will, no doubt, evaporate.

Responding to the posts Tougher Prisons and Too Soft............here here I totally agree. I was recently listening to the radio about a case where a mother of 12 children was prosecuted for £52,000 worth of fraudulent claims for disabled children she didn't have, claiming for even a child that did not exist. She walked away with a suspended sentence mainly because of the cost of the state in accommodating her in prison and her children in alternative accommodation. She claimed her children had conditions ranging from Downs syndrome to epilepsy. Even her 24 year old son was disgusted by the leniency of the sentence claiming a suspended sentence would not deter her in the future. What message does this send out to other families, particularly mothers who think its ok to help themselves to yours and mine taxes?

And are prisons too soft? I think so. My husband certainly is not struggling to cope or to afford what he wants in there. Ok, he is lucky enough to have a job in there but I do know that he often eats better than us, isn't as physically exhausted as I am after a weeks hard graft and doesn't have the worries that I deal with day in day out. I wonder how well this is preparing him for his eventual release??

Talk Is All They Are Capable Of - By L B

I am involved in a small group that tries to make the situation for prisoners and their families a little easier by offering support and generally any help we can give them. We have little resources but we try our best. I have read your blog for a few months now and would like to reply to Karen Mellor's recent one. As far as I am concerned, the MP's and governing bodies who are fully aware of the needs children of prisoners are crying out for, are in my humble opinion, a complete and utter waste of space. They arrive at conferences and talk, and talk is all they seem to be capable of. I have spoken recently to a number of families that have practically given up all hope of writing to their MP's and asking for support. The UK has become a country of dog eat dog where people are only interested in looking out for their own best interests. The community spirit is long gone and my advice to those who do require help and support is to push, push and push your local GP in to finding you a councillor because no one else is going to do it for you.

Leve's Big Night In

We would like to thank Leve for letting us invade his privacy last night! Sometimes we like turning up at people's houses unannounced (a bit like the CID really) so it was grand that Leve welcomed us. Every so often you see, we pile round at Leve's when one of us has a problem and try to sort it out and come to a conclusion. However, on this occasion, we couldn't find a remedy so we got on to the subject of 40 stone women squashing men for £400.00 a time. Apparently, men pay for this pleasure and should the extreme sport take off, then Weight Watchers are really in deep poo aren't they? Especially with a recession on etc.
Anyway Leve, thanks for having us round and remember - tonight is Halloween night so beware.. don't have a bath... just have a strip wash because you never know who's watching you!

Deaf As Well As Blind - By Karen Mellor

I have to agree with Nikki that I am also pleased the subject of children of prisoners has been raised again. Children effected by imprisonment are constantly pushed to one side, ignored, and expected to 'deal with it.' Typical of the government though and being the sceptic that I am, all these MP's who do raise the subject, need to really get off their backsides and do something because waffling on year after year about something we are already aware of in my opinion is a waste of time. I remember rightly that Bernardo's spoke last year at the POPS conference about the very same subject and what has materialised since then? Obviously nothing because again the subject and issues surrounding children of prisoners is just blandly spoke about repeatedly with no action put in place and still people within the penal reform system are twinkle toeing around and booking MP's such as Maria Eagle who really is deaf as well as blind, having had experiences with her before about a certain prisoner I was supporting. Talk is cheap and whilst everyone is excited about issues surrounding children of prisoners brought up in the media this week, all I'll say is it is about time people started singing from the same hymn sheet because their are many completely on a different page from us!

Children Of Prisoners Ignored

http://jailhouselawyersblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/children-of-prisoners-ignored.html

Copy Prat - By Penelope Parole

I'm not too sure about diamonds being a girls best friend are you? I'd say more on the lines of ' plastic surgery is a girls best friend' in this case.
Me and Leve had a bit of a laugh the other day and got on to the subject of eccentric beings who honestly think they look like their idols. At this point, I have to mention that mirrors cost very little, but unfortunately some people dismiss them and prefer to practice their famous pouts alongside their goldfish. I won't mention names, but there is a very deluded lass we know who is exactly like that and would succeed more applying to be an extra in one of Richard O Brien's productions than she would a Marilyn lookalike! Cruel? Well you'll just have to trust me on that score! Put it this way, Jack The Ripper would have hid rather than pounced!
Well OK, each to their own I suppose but why don't people or so called friends actually save them the embarrassment and tell them that they look a complete twat? Having said that, they could look a lot worse normal couldn't they when you think about it?
Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone else knows or have come across one of life's eccentrics - or deluded lookalikes?

Age Dispute - By Trisha Gibson

I'm an outsider and I read your blog on a regular basis. I am pleased to see that not all family members of prisoners place the blame on the system and other excuses for their family members convictions. I completely agree that children of prisoners should receive Government support, but I fear that many young naive families aren't remotely interested in the prying eyes of social services and other Government related agencies. The reason I say this is because many young families I have met with a partner in prison seem to believe that, that is in fact their way of life and it is accepted by both the adults and their young children. I would be interested in how many young families approach prisoners families support groups and helplines as to oppose the older generation? I would also like to see the variation of age brackets that require help from charities because in my experience, it seems to be the slightly older mothers who take an avid interest in penal reform.

Strictly Springer!

Picture By Leve @ Prisoners Families Voices

The BBC must get off on shows like Jerry Springer because Question Time was a carbon copy of it wasn't it? The best part about it now is, 1 in 5 folk are considering voting for Nick Griffin's party and it's caused an outrage? Of course people will vote for them only to piss off the corrupt MP's and power hungry OAP's we have running the country at the moment! It's hysterical isn't it? Karen Mellor broached the subject of the BBC's reality show Strictly Come Dancing and she is correct in saying that the public vote for the ones who have been slated by the judges. Unfortunately, it won't matter what people actually think of Nick Griffin's views, many won't dig deep in to the politics and they will vote for him purely because of the BBC's snide set up because it was a set up. The one thing I did enjoy though was Griffin ripping in to Jack Straw because at one point, the usual gobby Straw was quite lost for words. I think the BBC should do more of these shows actually and educate the youth on the pile of useless politician's we have on board who are 'trying' to run this country. As for Nick Griffin and his party, well, you can safely say that the BBC have done him proud - what a grand mass of publicity they've given him!

Pic Of The Week - From Stuart

Thanks to Stuart for sending us this weeks funny pic of Fart's the anglers shop. Would you go to Fart for your maggots?

Question Time Panto - By Karen Mellor

Nice pantomime the BBC put on for us the other night! I begrudge paying my TV licence because of the sheer crap they throw on. Before I carry on with my rant, it is best to point out to the BBC that the British public aren't that easily fooled. Question Time featuring pathetic dithering pensioners and a stuck up Baroness was nothing short of a cheap panto. No, I wouldn't vote for the BNP but I do agree with some of Nick Griffin's points. The BBC should know by now - as they air the reality show Strictly Come Dancing - that the great British public love the under dog. No one gives a toss about Jack Straw the soft lad and the others so Nick Griffin has and will gain votes courtesy of the BBC staged programme. The panel was rigged, the audience was rigged and it was atrocious. I have been reading online that there are 1 in 5 people that will consider voting for the BNP - well BBC, that's what happens when you think you can pull one over on the British public.

British Snobbery - By Robyn Levers

First of all, I hope everyone is on the mend? The flu has hit everyone big time here and it's proving a pain to get rid of!
Well it seems the topic of interest on the net is the programme Question Time. Nick Griffin didn't stand a chance did he? Seems the BBC's ploys to set him up didn't work though as according to Sky News this morning, 1 in 5 people would consider voting for his party! Some people would be shocked at that, I'm not surprised at all actually because in my view, the political correct British ditherers are making a rod for their own backs. For example, I'm too scared to wear all black clothing for a funeral now in case someone considers it somewhat racial and advices me to 'mix' the colour scheme up a little! It wouldn't surprise me whether they changed the rules of snooker and removed the black ball from play? You may well laugh but at my daughters school, the blackboard has been changed to a whiteboard and Ba Ba Black Sheep is now a thing of the past! The crazy thing about all this is, my friends and some family members who are black couldn't give a rats arse either way so as far as the politically correct British snobs go, bollocks to them because whilst they are chastising people for using the word 'paki' there are more important things in life. If the do gooders would like to question what, then I advice them to stand at the next airport that is bringing back yet another British soldier in a box.

Ridiculed - By Helen

My son was sentenced last week and I attended court. I felt so embarrassed I can't tell you. I understand how the victim's feel having been a victim of crime myself but I was thrown dirty looks, I was shunned and was looked upon like a piece of dirt. As an innocent person, I shouldn't have to go through that and yes I understand my son has done wrong and yes I agree a prison sentence is the only punishment, but why are innocent families like myself given an hard time?
Witnesses and victims all have their support rooms in court but where was mine? Well there is none because people like me don't count and the Government don't give a toss whether I'm persecuted for something I haven't done. I wish people would shut up and grow up when it comes to pointing the finger at families who are ashamed by their loved ones crimes in the first place. I don't need any victims getting on my case as well!!! I apologise if that sounds horrible but I just won't accept guilty by association off anyone and that's including the victims of crime. Why should I? I'm as innocent as them!!!

Too Soft - By Anonymous

I would like to say to Lewis Davidson that whether the country is in a mess or not, one stint in prison should be enough for anyone. In the UK especially, this is not the case and I feel that our system is soft as marsh mellows! Repeat offenders that keep messing up their children's heads are in my opinion a utter disgrace and they don't deserve family support. I hear of criminals who go to prison, are released, go back to prison, released again and basically that is their life and what a waste of life that is. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but there has to come a time when enough is enough for the children's sake. How fair is it letting them back in to their children's life's when next minute they are back behind bars again. It's cruel and families who continue to go along with it time and time again are nuts for putting up with it. I agree that anyone can make a mistake in life but where do you draw the line?

Statistics Please - By Lewis Davidson

Whilst everyone is recovering from the nasty flu and other annoying little bugs, I thought I'd respond to some of the posts. The one written by Scarlett struck a chord and whilst I do agree that families can indeed contribute to their loved ones rehabilitation upon release from prison, the whole process still lies at the feet of the offender. Some families may well play an important role in reducing re-offending but I feel the statistics regarding this issue are very low and I for one would like to ask whoever raised this topic to the surface if they have statistics for it? Another problem I have with this is why should we do the work of probation and other support mechanism's when we are not included by the governing bodies with the rehabilitation of our loved ones? For me, it doesn't make the slightest bit of sense I'm afraid.

No Fairytale - By Scarlett

It absolutely kills me when I hear that families of offenders play a huge part in reducing re-offending. I've just been made redundant and my partner is due to be released next month. The money pressures I have at the moment are immense so I would like to ask these penal reformers and government bodies how exactly can I help my partner when I am caught up in the economic downfall struggling to make ends meet? Release from prison is no fairytale, it is far from it so where is the help for families who 'supposedly' can make a difference? We aren't miracle workers and in this day and age, I doubt families can make a difference unless the country shapes up!

Tougher Prison's - By Anonymous

I am a regular reader of your blog and whilst I don't have a family member or friend in prison myself, I sympathise with those that do, especially the children.
What concerns me is, after reading other posts and threads on various websites, it seems some people are intent on blaming everyone else apart from the perpetrator who has landed them in this fiasco in the first place. From an outsiders point of view, I would relish the opportunity to speak to an offender in prison and ask him or her what effect their selfish actions have on their children. I have no sympathy whatsoever for those who commit crime. I do however appreciate that many families stand by their loved ones, I would do the same if my son or husband was incarcerated. What I find appalling is the number of offenders who return to prison. I blame that on the mamby pamby British system because if the prison's were tougher, then they may just see a drop in re-offending rates.

New Guidelines For Prisoners Votes

Picture By Leve

Jack Straw models the new guidelines for prisoners votes. I'm not too sure whether his mate in the background has a bad cough or he's trying to control his bladder in a dignified manner.

Time For A Change - By Babs

I've been a prison visitor now for over eight years. I have been visiting one particular prison now for just over two years and I must say that there hasn't been any radical changes whatsoever.
I read your blog on a regular basis and I am an avid reader of Inside Time also. I too was rather shocked at the letter written by Karen Mellor some months ago, but I am sincerely pleased she wrote it because I do not believe that every family member effected by imprisonment have the same outlook and opinion regarding their situation. Some family members are extremely well focused and remain strong throughout and despite what any charities make of that, it is a fact.
Sharon Harrop's article I thought was another inspirational piece and showcased strength of the spirit to fight and whether anyone agrees with their opinions or not, they are rightly entitled to them. Why should family members walk on egg shells when it is they that are in or have lived this experience? As I said at the beginning, I have been visiting prison's for a number of years and now it is time for a complete overall in change.