Court on Friday - a few questions?

[ChrisM19]

I posted a couple of questions a few week back about my case but I have court on Friday and am ******** it now. I was told that I'll be getting a custodial (ABH and having a knife) but am just hoping that somehow don't get sent down.

Does anybody know with the prisons being overcrowded that I might have a better chance of getting a suspended sentence or something like that?

What should I wear to court - if I'm going to prison I don't really want to have a suit but do you think it would make a difference with the judge or would he already have his mind made up - I've done the probation report and all that?

What personal stuff should I bring with me to court for prison?

How do they/I let my gf and family know where I end up - do you normally get to speak to them after you get sentenced?

[ELVIS68]

ABH and having a knife..and you don`t want to be sent down?
I`d say about 2 years minimum, wear what you like, the judge won`t give a sh!t

Remember mofo...If you can`t do the time...don`t do the crime

[oldmaggie]

The Judge will not have made up his mind before he has read the probation report. A lot hinges on their recommendations. A suit is showing respect to the court and will be noted. If you are sent to prison keep your head down, do your time come out and then get on with your life.

[ChrisM19]

Thanks - was feeling crap last night when I posted that - got into a row with the folks - they're ****** off about all this. Went out for a run this morning so got my head sorted and heading out with my mates tonight - probably my last night out for a while.

I know I'm getting sent down - just sometimes I get to think I might get a break but I've accepted it really. I don't have a suit but would a shirt and tie and some decent trousers do? Thanks for the tip about the trainers - will do that - good you can keep your own. What are the prison clothes like - will they be new or second hand?

Called my solicitor and he says probably Feltham but not guaranteed. Can you really just ring up and ask what you can take in? Not sure what to say.

Do you know how long it is normally before you can get a visit - not good at writing letters - don't think I've ever really done one. Will want to see my gf as soon as I can.

Man I know I don't want to have to go through this again and I will do what courses I can cos I know it will be hard when I get out. Have you ever been in trouble again since you were inside?

[zipppy]

Hi again Chris,

to put your mind at rest, ABH rarely results in a sentence of more than 24 months with the average sentence being around the 9 month mark in a Crown Court.

Having attended Feltham on a previous occasion as stated in a previous post, I can assure you that like Wizard your initial reaction will be daunting and anxious.

One positive note - Feltham is a young offenders institution and subsequently they will issue you a free phone card (can't remember the value) which gives you the opportunity to contact family members. However, a word of advice. You MUST remind the staff to issue the card as they often 'forget' to provide one.

To reiterate Wizard, phone Feltham and ask what you can bring - I was imprisoned there many years ago and times change so what I was allowed may be different.

Many other offenders will be sentenced the same day, some will be experienced, others first-time offenders. You can often tell by their expressions. Associate yourself with the first-time offenders as you'll have more in common. As you progress through your sentence you'll understand who to trust and who you need to reserve suspicion for.

Please don't worry too much, you may only receive a 12 month - 18 month sentence. The time will fly by. And remember some people are in a far worse situation than you. In two weeks time I'm attending Court and am facing a probable 6 - 9 years. You MAY only face the same in months.

Either way good luck and hope you learn from the experience.

[kinell]

soap on a rope would be useful

[ChrisM19]

Thanks again lads - very helpful. Had a good night out last night - going away and early birthday session - was sitting in a beer garden with the lads and for a while I wasn't thinking about tomorrow. Will definitely miss the beer for the next while. Got my hair cut yesterday too.

I know there are people in worse situations than me with stuff going on in their lives or are looking at much longer sentences. Didn't know that you were looking at such a long stretch zippy - hope it goes as well as it can in a few weeks. If I only had the ABH I know I wouldn't get too long but getting done for the knife too when on bail makes it alot worse according to my brief. He also said it might be hard to get tagged.

I did call up and found out what I could bring in - like you said not too much really but at least I can take in smokes but they said most bring in tobacco instead.

Not impressed at what you said about the clothes - sounds disgusting. Have to say I like to look good and have my own gear.

I'll have no problem writing - actually like reading too. I got good GCSEs and had a decent job up until recently but lost it when I went guilty. As I said before I will do whatever work or courses as I can in there as I would prefer that than being locked in a cell and I think you get money for it.

They said to me yesterday that because I'm going in on a Friday that I could be locked up pretty much for the whole weekend when I go in at first - that will wreck my head if that happens. Didn't ask but wondering would you normally be in a cell on your own or in with somebody else?

At least it will all be sorted tomorrow and I'll know how long I have to do - I'll be on my way to court this time in the morning. I was just thinking do you normally get transferred in one of those big vans you see on the roads? I'd say that the journey must wreck your head too to be stuck in there especially with the

[zipppy]

Hi Chris,

yes being locked up at the weekend could mean that you won't have access to association time or exercise etc.

I remember arriving at Feltham and feeling totally anonymous or even invisible. Food bought to my cell by staff who didn't acknowledge me, no access to fresh air, no introduction to staff, no introduction to other inmates, 23 hours imprisoned in my cell.

I was offered the opportunity on one wing (Kestrel I think) to shared accommodation or single occupancy - I selected single as I'm a private person.

Certainly take a book with you. It may be confiscated initially but you will receive it back on release or when it's been security cleared. Obviously, if you can retain reading material it will keep you occupied.

The transfer from Court to prison is a hideous experience. The prison van or 'sweat box' is confined, claustrophobic, hot and anxious inducing because of your destination. Keep calm and try to remain positive.

On arrival DON'T think about where you want to be, it merely prolongs the agony of incarceration. Focus on your current environment and ALWAYS attempt to extract positives - education, work, skills, reading those books you've never got round to reading (I highly recommend Hugo's Les Miserable).

If you boycott the bravado and aggression of Feltham, you may be able to complete your sentence via electronic curfew for the final few months. Any sentence below four years can be subject to this opportunity - Boy George for example.

Chin-up and take care.

[danchip]

its a shame we'll not find out the outcome of tomorrows proceedings

[ChrisM19]

Don't know where the end of my post went but anyway..

Yeah I smoke so got cigs and tobacco and a few books and magazines - they told me I could bring them in I would probably get them back soon enough - good to have stuff to read and smoke if I am stuck in the court cells. I'm up in the morning so it might be a few hours in there. Do you usually be in one of them on your own or with all the other guys sentenced?

They said that I'll get prison clothes so I'll just have to get used to that I suppose. The sweatbox sounds awful - they have separate tiny cells don't they - do you be cuffed there as well?

Suppose it might be good to be in the cell for the first couple of days just to get my head together before having to get involved. Think I would prefer a cell on my own but if I was in 23 hours in there on my own it would drive me mad.

I've promised everybody that I will keep my head down in there and stay out of trouble and hopefully I might get a chance of getting tagged. Not that I'm planning to but what happens if you get into bother in there - like a scrap or something. Do they take time off when you can get released?

I looked at that other website but has been goo dto hear from people who've been there for real. Good luck zippy with your own court. I'll try and get my mate to post what happens tomorrow so you know.

Just gonna chill tonight - have my last beers and hope for the best now!

[MsEVP]

Hi Chris:

You`ve been given some great advice and, hopefully, this will lighten your initiation into the system.

Look upon it as a learning experience and make something good come out of it.

Please impress on your friend how much we`d like to hear about your progress,

Cheers, Tina

[Jumpa]

Any one hear from this bloke? To bad you couldn't continue to pen him in the clink . Seems to me from reading your comments you had a calming affect on Chris good work

[Mac20]

Hi, I'm Chris's mate and he asked me to post on here - took me a while to find teh site though. He got 18 months for ABH and possession of the knife. I've been to visit him twice and he seems to be doing OK in there or that's what he said anyway. I've never been in a prison before and it was strange going in - I didn't like it. Seeing all the lads wearing the same clothes and some of them looked very tough. I didn't recognise him straight away as he had got his head shaved but once we got talking he seemed ok and told me all the stories. He's always been the one to get into bother so I suppose there was always a chance he would end up there. I know he did some stupid stuff and he has to do the time but I hope he gets on OK.