Surviving Prison
Britain has the largest prison population per capita in europe
and if Jack (lock'em up) Straw has his wicked way it'll carry
on growing! More and more people are likely to do time for crimes
they did or didn't commit, partly because the state is always
creating more + more laws that we can break, especially laws criminalising
political protest. The fear of prison is one of the state's ultimate
deterrents to stifle dissent and protect the ruling clases from
the wrath and poverty of the masses. This deterrent only works
as effectively as we are fearful of it, and this is an attempt
to dispel some of the fears and myths that surround prison.
Experiences of prison can vary greatly from person to person
and from prison to prison. Obviously there's a big difference
between a short stay and a long stretch, not so much on the
experience while there but mentally it can be harder to remain
unaffected, and will take longer to re-adjust to the outside world
as it will have changed more, and old skills will have to be remembered.
Being in prison on remand can be mentally and emotionally taxing,
because of the uncertainty regarding length of sentence, and the
stress of an approaching court case, etc. Women's prisons are
also quite different, not only are you likely to be further from
friends and family because of the scarcity of womens' prisons
but my women are in for gender/poverty related in a way that men
aren't, basically because most coppers/judges are male chauvinists.
Category A prisoners (high security) also have less priveleges
than Category B, C and D respectively. It should be remembered
worldwide, British prisons have a reputation for being soft compared
to elsewhere especially outside of Europe.
If you know in advance that you're gonna be going inside
it's helpful to talk to others with experience of prison. It's
good to tie up any loose ends regarding family, housing, money,
support before you go in. Also get a few good reading books together!!!
This guide is aimed mostly at those who do time for political
'crimes' or crimes(?) of conscience although it can apply to anyone.
Some political activists see going to prison as a natural extension
of direct action. Political prisoners have the advantage of being
part of a wider movement, which can offer practical support and
boost moral. Having a good understanding of why you are there
can give a degree of inner strength, calm and confidence and so
from this perspective prison can be an empowering experience,
and can also be somewhat amusing at times as well!
Most folk on knowing they're about to go down have a flood of
varied emotions and/or passing attacks of anxiety and fear. It
can feel like the whole weight of Babylon is falling upon your
head.
"with the threat of prison hanging over my head I try and
find out as much as I possibly can about the prison I am likely
to be sent to... I worry about what the other prisoners are like;
will I fit in? How much stuff I can take with me? Will I be on
my own or sharing? When I arrive different questions become a
problem: where do I go to eat, to shower, where is everything,
this place is big. After you come out of prison, take a holiday,
or rest, to give yourself time to adjust to being out again and
having space to move about. Give yourself time and tell others
how you are feeling
"Prisons and prison experiences vary enormously.. the first
time I went to a British prison was one of the most hellish weeks
of my life: I was beaten up by the guards, denied a vegan diet,
taken before the governor three times (and threatened with everything
from the punishment block to the psychiatric wing) and put in
a cell with someone in for murder and someone in for manslaughter.
In contrast, much of my five months in another prison was a leisurely
rest - badminton, jogging, table tennis, evening classes, my own
cell, passable vegan food, friendly enough screws"
"I had sort of expected I was going to prison and actually
felt quite prepared and calm. As the prison van pulled up at the
gates I felt a strange sort of excitement mixed with a bit of
nervousness and uncertainty. I found it fairly easy to settle
in after the initial 'crikey! I'm in prison' type feelings. Getting
used to the regime can be a bit hard - so many rules. When your
life is totally in the hands of authoritarians you just have to
adapt and get used to it, and know that they cant confine your
thoughts or hold your true freedom. It's important to use the
time well with things to focus your mind. There lots of potential
for self development and learning from people of different backgrounds.
I really benefited from doing lots of meditation and tai chi,
which helped me keep calm, especially when dealing with some of
the screws who would try and draw me into confrontation because
of my beliefs"
However the reality is a lot easier than the fears, and when
you start meeting the other cons you realise most of them are
just ordinary enough people brought here by unfortunate circumstances,
rather than the social monsters the government and media would
have you believe. Obviously there are some nutters but they ain't
that common, and lets face it there's plenty of nutters on the
outside as well! Very few people are looking for a fight 'cos
that can mean time in solitary and less parole, soo if you're
not looking for trouble you're unlikely to find it. If you try
and act hard, someone's gonna challenge you, so just be yourself
and be calmly confident, and, keep a good sense of humour!!!
Political prisoners tend to get a fair bit of respect in prison,
if not a few strange looks for having somewhat alien beliefs.
Most trouble in prison is over drugs and addictions (including
tobacco) and bullying to get them when personal supplies run low
(the prison shop's only open once/twice a week and everyone's
skint anyway)... Time to give up? Sometimes, especially if it's
obviously your first time inside, you may find yourself challenged
in some way by other prisoners, as a kind of test of strength
which as long as you stand your ground in a calm but confident
manner, will generally pass off without incident. Backing down
to any threats or bullying leaves you wide open for abuse and
bullying later if you become seen as an easy victim, so stand
your ground. It's pretty similar to school playground philosophy
really.
An open mind and a bit of common respect can go a long way
in prison meeting half-way the many different lives, experiences
and expectations that you'll meet there. It can be a time of 1earning
and an insight into the inner workings of Babylon, both in the
oppressive and overly bureaucratic organisation of prison and
in the inmates themselves, most of whom are in for some kind of
poverty (class) related crime. Prison can be a lonely place, it
is designed to isolate. Communication and solidarity is essential,
both with other inmates and with the outside world as well. Political
prisoners usually get a lot of support correspondence from the
wider movement, this gives a big boost to morale and in some cases
can be a lifeline (make sure they know you're there - see contacts
below) It also makes a prisoner feel less anonymous, less of a
number in a system to be pushed about.
Adapting to prison regime can be strange (if not interesting)...
it's a culture unto itself- so many new rules and regulations,
new behaviour norms, respective routines, social hierarchies,
different language. You can expect some overcrowding, frustrating
and irritating levels of noise and distraction and little personal
space or privacy. It may be difficult to sleep properly, radios
blaring, bars, loud arguments etc. Food will be starchy and dull.You
will learn to wait...for a phone call, a shower, a meal, the answer
to a question even the time of day. Time can become distorted,
days will slip by but each hour could seem like an eternity. Focusing
your mind on something like a campaign, reading, studying, drawing,
yoga etc. can be a great help in dealing with the monotony and
stresses of prison life. Different diets can be catered for upon
request although you are only guaranteed a vegan diet if you're
a member of the Vegan society before getting sent down.
Some progress has been made recently on getting GMO-free diets,
although such decisions (as are most decisions regarding personal
welfare) are at the arbitrary discretion of the individual prison
Governor. Visits and the sending of books, money stereos, what
you can and can't send in/out varies greatly from prison to prison
so check with the Prison Visitor Centre concerned. The screws
are generally alright, if not a bit uptight, with a predisposition
towards having authoritarian fantasies. Their prime concern is
to preserve order through obedience and submission. However you
don't have to indulge them in this fantasy and as long as you
don't take the piss they generally leave you alone. Let them be
responsible for keeping order while you stay responsible for keeping
your conscience.
A sense of humour goes a long way in dealing with the daily
routine of being inside, and a smile can disarm all but the meanest
screws and cons. Sometimes it's hard not to laugh at those in
authority when they take themselves far too seriously especially
if their authority and power in not having the desired effect
on you. Just because your body is behind bars doesn't mean you've
got turn in your conscience or convictions with all your other
belongings at the gate. Whether in prison or not, the freedom
we enjoy is the freedom we claim for ourselves, and while the
body can be incarcerated the spirit is as free as it wishes. Being
in prison can be an incredibly empowering experience by bringing
this message home.
When you come out, give yourself time to adjust. If you've been
in for a while, take it easy, it can take a while to psychologically
adjust to looking after yourself again - cooking, cleaning, socialising.
Tell friends how you're feeling and above all keep smiling!! 'cos
there ain't nothing you can't laugh at...
LEGAL ADVICE + PRISONER SUPPORT
LIBERTY 21 Tabbard St, London, SE1 4LA (020 7403 3888)
RELEASE - 388 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT (020 7603 8654)
ALF Prisoner Support Group - BCM 1160, London, WC1N 3XX
EARTH Liberation Prisoners - BM HEAL, London, WC1N 3XX
VEGAN PRISONER Support Group P0 Box 194, Enfield, Middlesex,
EN1 3HD (0181 292 8325)
London ABC - 27 Gloucester St, London WC1N 3XX
CONVICTION PO Box 522, Sheffield, S1 3FF
PAGAN FEDERATION - BM Box 7Q97, London, WC1N 3XX
English Collective of Prostitutes P0 Box 287, London,
NW6 5QU
Sexual Freedom Coalition - PO Box 4ZB, London, WiA 4ZB
National Prisoners Movement BMPROP, London, WC1N 3XX (020
8542 3744)
WOMEN in Prison - do Women's Environmental Network (6171.247
3327)
PEACE Prisoners Support - do 16 Sholebrook Avenue, Leeds,
L57 3HB
DO SOMEONE A FAVOUR, WRITE TO A PRISONER!!!