I agree wholeheartedly with you, Peace Phoenix. Prison is no easy ride or 'holiday camp', Nay, and is a very cruel, nasty situation regardless of what you have/haven't done. Sure, people shouldn't get treated like royalty (which, like J0hn said is a myth) but people shouldn't have to be locked up. I've known people who've been in prison and believe you me no-one comes out of it feeling better or rehabilitated... It just breeds more contempt for the bullshit system that put them there in the first place... This is why something like 60% of prisoners are locked up again within two years of them getting out... Not because they're inherently bad people but because they've been marginalised and already judged by the system which thinks putting people in cages is a viable punishment. Best of luck, John. I hope your situation rectifies itself ASAP.
Bollocks. Please explain to me why my ex boyfriend's brother, who was in HMP Exeter for smack related offences, managed to get a PS2 before they'd even come out in the shops? Why he even had a PS2 in the first place... Sure, it's not a holiday camp that lets you go canoeing or whatever, but sure sounds a lot easier than many people living in council estates or whatever.
Exscuse me? I have never dealt weed in my life. Sure, I smoke weed occasionally and yes I know where to get it, but I have never dealt it in my life. So I'd appreciate it if you'd stop making false accusations. Especially as you don't really know me. You ought to be careful... these sort of accusations could see you being a plaintiff for a libel/slander case. And if you're referring to the time you happened to be in Exeter, I believe I took you and your friends to someone who had some. I don't think that counts as me dealing it, since I never handled the product, weighed it for you or even supplied it. most people can usually tell the difference between a dealer and a recreational user :H
In no way do I feel people should have TV/computer games, whatever. I personally don't approve of that shit outside of prison, let alone in it soooo... Anyhow, I can't explain to you why he had a computer game in there, it's part of the bullshit system we have (apologies for going on about 'the system' it sounds like bollocks rhetoric) that thinks it's wise to shut someone in a room for X amount of years to 'cure' them. That's really going to help, huh. As much as I disapprove of TV/computer games if I were shut in a cell for a long time it might be my only pleasure in life. If TV is your only pleasure in life then you're in a pretty fucked situation to be honest and it's the least they can give someone. When you spout your conservativesque BS about how they get a free education, blah blah blah take a step back and think about what these poor, poor people have to go through... Do you genuinely think that people come out of prison better than when they went in, with their new qualifications etc? It's just for show and doesn't mean anything. An employer isn't going to say "Oh, they went to prison but they got some shitty qualification so I'll give them a job." It's almost impossible to find work after having been inside. Christ, be more compassionate to your fellow man. Fire to the prisons! http://325collective.com/prisons_prisons-social.html
Why can't they read a book? It's entertaining, you can do it alone and it doesn't cost money for the electricity. Poor,poor people... BULLSHIT! You're making them out to be saints. Sure, not everybody that goes to prison is a rapist or murderer or paedophile. However, they're there for a reason. If I got caught smoking a biff, I'd be pretty afraid and upset, but I know it's against the law and I can't argue with whatever punishment given.
Sorry Peterness, had to delete your comment to Nay on here as it would constitute a libellous personal attack. Please try to keep the political political and the personal personal....
I think there are undoubtedly people in situations where prison might actually be an improvement on their situation. If I was homeless and destitute, I expect I would have little fear of prison. But they's not so much a comment on the prison system so much as on a society in which some people can fall so far below the poverty line. I certainly don't think prison should be a paradise. And I wouldn't say people should be provided with plentiful luxuries. But having a TV and PS2 is very different to being offered qualifications. The former are just that, luxuries with no potential for reforming the individual. Of course people should see prison as a punishment. But they should also see it as an opportunity to turn their lives around and attempt to elevate themselves. This is where qualifications come in, and I certainly wouldn't see prison-based work and education in the same light as entertainment luxuries....
Got to agree with Peace here. I've always thought the jail system to rather poorly thought out. I think that locking people away for x amount of time, in most cases does nothing but fuel anger, not make them better, and not want to commit a crime again. People are let out of jail with nothing, right back into the same situations, same friends, and the cycle just continues. I think first and for most besides trying to rehabilitate them, is education. The more educated the better, that is there hope of getting away from their less than desirable life and trying to work towards something better. As for this coming from your tax money, I'd rather my money went to trying to help someone, then killing people in say a war. As for them having TV's and playstations... I don't think it really makes a difference, there's no denying that they are there for punishment, but having to live on someone else's schedule, rules, being locked up, for possibly years at a time, is not really the right way to go about it. So they get to watch some shitty show or play some playstation, it's not like they get to do a whole hell of a lot more. And personally if it was me in that situation, those things wouldn't bring me much pleasure anyways. Some people should probably be in jail for the rest of their lives, but I think a lot of people deserve second chances, so providing things like education is the right way to go. And as for the comment on jails being so nice that people want to be put in them... I think you have to take into consideration that that persons life would have to pretty bad to consider prison a good alternative...
In prison you do have levels of regime: Basic_ Basically nothing in a cell, just a blanket and a matress.(punishment only) Standard: A tv and a kettle and two beds with mattresses that could easily be army rejects. Enhanced: As standard but you are allowed a games console like a PS2. Certain houseblocks don't have an enhanced wing. But those that do you can play more snooker and a bit more tv and are out longer. A games console, tv and a kettle simply stops or reduces prison riots, suicide or insanity. Although tv does drive you crazy after a while. Additional: Life in prison is so bad that once you come out into the fresh air, you really feel the burden lift. I had no option to pay the tenner fine. If I had not lied about my address, they may have issued a penalty slip for me to pay within twenty days. I lied for good reason. To protect myself against a consequence entirely out of proportion to what exactly happened. Because put simply, I am on probation/.licence so to speak and the judge will simply sling me behind bars as it looks as though I have not learned anything. Yes, I learned the reality of ending up in prison. This crime against Southeastern (avoiding a peanut fare, although I should have paid in the first place) Is hardly crime of the twenty first century. I heard that they treat train robberies with a bit more proportion.
Well, I hope things turn out alright for you John. Jumping a train fair is something that most everyday people do once in a while.
I guess. It is very tempting especially when there are no barriers, you are skint and you have that awful choice; walk ten miles a stretch or take a train. There is always the chance you would get caught. I suppose now I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Blood on the walls and a gun to the head. I suppose the first thing I would do once in prison, is restart smoking and buy a few note pads so I can create my memoirs in rememberance of me.So anyone who picks up these scripts, can see that this man was another victim of the machine. There is always a chance that Southeastern may not take me to court. But I would probably say there is 95% Thanks for all your advice everyone. Guess we had a giggle and a few wheezes of the week. Well, this is Day 1 toward my day in court. I will represent myself. it is quite straight forward really.
Our judicial system, as well as the judiciary itself, is pretty outdated. Trouble is we have judges who are in their 60s and 70s. Their opinions of society are so different to those of today. I think we should run it like they do in France. Where you can train to become a judge, just like you can train to become a solicitor or barrister. Therefore, you get younger judges who are more in touch with the problems and factors of today, not 30 years ago or whatever.
Very well said Jay. There needs to be a punitive / deterrent element of course, and locking people up with no access to normal society is a pretty big punishment no matter what small benefits they get inside. You want people to come out better people who are less likely to re-offend, not totally screwed up and full of anger and hatred. If you accept that there are environmental elements which help to lead people into crime (lack of education and opportunity etc) then prison is a good place, while you have them there, to give them the opportunities they may not have otherwise had. Education on the inside is a very important part of what prison can do for the benefit of wider society. A basic level of comfort and normality rather than total deprivation is important too in order not to create screwed up out of touch anti-social monsters, and if TVs and playstations are part of that, then so be it.
As I ponder my fate with all the strength God has given me. It is inevitable that I have indeed put one foot in the grave and now my days of freedom are numbered. Yeh, sure okey, less two pounds profit to Southeastern trains, but ethically and rightously, I should, should have brought my ticket. Now the only ticket I have bought is a one way journey on the Hell express...and back. I feel like some American convict awaiting his turn in the Gas chamber or the electric chair. It is as though suddenly I am ready to go, ready to face the etheral-less music. My day in court is due soon. I will stand up, confirm a few details and then my life is once again in the hands of a total stranger-The Judge. For whatever words I can say, for whatever explanation I could give, I plead brief insanity. I was a fool to avoid paying the ticket and now the gates of hellmarsh open up once more like a great chasm of pain and torture, torment and despair, anguish and eternal regret. Madness and lack of the love and the warmth that for so long took for granted in society. Well, it has been two years and I was kind of hoping that the last year would seal the progress that was made. Guess this will mean absolutely Dick when I stand in the court room for what would no doubt be the last day, the darkest day when I stand alone looking for someone familiar in the public gallery, but only finding complete strangers with the look of disgust and anger at what I have done. When I was young, nobody told me life would be hard, people never told me the painful truth of what responsibility meant. As a young man, I wanted total freedom. But man has freedom, but what do you do with that freedom? I am taking it strong. I will hold my head up high when I am sent down. As I choose not die with my head held down between my legs like a dog who has just been kicked and abused by his master. Well, it has been two years of progress. I was looking forward to seeing a positive change. Guess not.
Surely John you can approach Southeastern trains and pay a fixed penalty of something up to £50. As for going to court you'll be hit with court costs but I can't see you getting locked up even if its a breach of your probabtion, and I doubt you'll be hit with a £1000, after all your means of paying it back will be considered. You'll need to sort out character references and tell them about your living circumstances, surely your probation officer could help. If needed, that is court, have you checked out legal aid and getting some representation? You can generally get 15 mins consultation free. There's a hundred and one ways out of this before it goes to court, work on it and it'll make you feel better. I'm assuming of course that you're no drug dealer or car theive etc. that will go against you. If you have been a 'good lad' for the last two years then all this is good. Just to add, you've got some unusual beliefs for someone describing your situation.
good luck to ya John. I don't know really what to say. Seems Mellowthyme has some good advice though. I hope there's a way you can stay out of prison. I'm sure it's not the blast people think it is.
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.Blood on the walls and axes over my head. I ain't been eating but I have been crying. Even my father says that my spirit is dying. Saw probation today. They said that "A problem shared is a problem halved." I couldn't agree more as the result was this: This is not a terrible crime, even in the probation's eyes. She warned not to do it again, but enphasised that I cannot do anything until I go to court. When I go to court, I will know my fate or when I recieve the letter. If I don't have to go to court, well I live another day. I am still worried and well it has reminded me just how much I really hate prison. I have been deterred but why I didn't just pay the fare. I plead stupidity. I am no Angel, but at the same time, I am not so bad either. Lets just hope the Judge reckonises that. My day in court looms ever nearer. On the day I will dress up smart/casual and face the tune. Like a load of passengers on a train. We all await our next destination. At the moment I am awaiting the next train to my fate. Guess the pigeons cooing over a piece of cornbread beside my southeastern station furniture have problems of their own.
