Remand Prisoner

[fruitsalad]

My Son has just been remanded and I'm so shocked by this I feel like I've been bereaved, He was a hard worker, intelligent, but has done something so stupid I don't know what possessed him, I'm not sure what to do never having been in the situation before, he has a birthday coming up and I want to send a card how far in advance should I send it, what can I write it's hardly going to be a 'Happy Birthday' I'm just so confused, any information would be appreciated.

[Islay]

Fruitsalad this must be hard for you. Send the card as normal along with any suitable gifts, his birthday should still marked.

Is there no authority you can talk to like a family officer?

[ummmm]

How long ago was he remanded? Have you had contact with him since?

[anneasquith]

I'm sorry for this upsetting news for you fs.

[fruitsalad]

No he was only remanded Friday, so no contact with me as yet I did phone the prison ask for his number but they cannot give it out due to data protection, but I can write his name and d.o.b and he hopefully will get it.

[Mamyalynne]

It's heartbreaking to have a family member in prison , you do right to keep the communication open - as to what to write, your heart will tell you.

Take care.

[ummmm]

I don't know if being on remand is as strict as when someone is sentenced. I would send the card a month in advance if possible.

What to write...goodness. Something like 'think about you everyday but especially today'

[fruitsalad]

Thank you for suggestions

[Mamyalynne]

If you need any outside help or advice, some ideas here fruitsalad.

https://www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners

[CrapAtCryptics]

At a remand prison only a sample of mail is read so there should be no significant delay in him receiving it. Dont send him padded or cards with gadgets ie music included. If you send any money do so only by cheque made out to "The Governor HMP ???????" and always put your name and address on the envelope and cheque. If you know his prison number please put that on the envelope. if you are on any kind of benefits there may be some financial assistance for visiting. Look here https://www.gov.uk/assisted-prison-visits

[fruitsalad]

Thank you, the links will be very helpful, totally in the dark with this.

[Maydup]

How devistating for you Fruitsalad, you will be feeling bereaved. Can you visit for his birthday? If not send the card with a few days to spare and write to tell him you miss him, love him and think about him. Maybe choose a card that doesn't have traditional messages on it but one that leaves you to write your own words of support on such a day.

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps "Many Happy Returns" might be better than happy birthday.

[naomi24]

I would get a nice blank card - and I would write 'For your birthday. I love you'. I would send it a little early.

[EDDIE51]

Remand prisoners have special rights, wearing their own clothes and unlimited visiting are two of the main ones. However the prisoner has to ask the prison for a visitors pass which the prison to sends to you. You can't just roll up at the jail and go in for a visit ( as happens on TV soaps) .
You need the visitor pass.
The difference between a convicted and a remand prisoner is in how many visits are allowed. A remand prisoner can have as many visits as they want , where a convicted prisoner has a set limit.
A remand prisoner has no limit on how much credit they can have in their prison account , no cash is allowed in jail so it is all credit to spend in the prison 'canteen' , which is what the prison 'tuck shop' is called. Also remand prisoners can have as many phone calls as their credit allows, again these are limited for convicted prisoners. Money has to be in the form of cheque or postal orders made out to 'The Governor H M Prison ****** **** ' P O's are best as a cheque will have to be banked and cleared before the prisoner gets the cash.
You can email prisoners now! The email has to be sent to the governors office, staff will print off a copy and take it to the prisoner.
Do you know which prison he is in? Most prisoners are sent to 'Holding prisons' at first, these are where they stay until the 'permanent' prison is decided. I am not sure this applies to remand prisoners though.
As to time , post is delivered to prisons just as it is to any other address.The staff sort it out and then distribute it on each 'wing' every day.They don't take it round the cells though, the prisoner has to go and collect it from the warders office. They usually put up a list outside the office every day with the names/numbers of those who have mail.
I'm not even sure if remand prisoners get a prison number, it may be that numbers signify a conviction so only the convicted prisoners get them.
I'll try and think of more information and post it if I think of anything useful .

[EDDIE51]

Good information here
http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/projectsresearch/remand/rightsonremand
Read it all carefully !

[EDDIE51]

This is another good source of information for those 'inside' and family and friends on the 'out'
http://insidetime.org/back-issues/insidetime-october-2015/

[EDDIE51]

Just found something I did not know
https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits
You can book prison visits online! No more need for a visiting order !

[anneasquith]

Eddie. A very informant and helpful post for ff.

[EDDIE51]

^^ I know a bit about it as I have worked as a tutor inside a jail !

[fruitsalad]

Thank you so much EDDIE the information is very much appreciated, , and will be of great help.