Prison Walkthrough - Daily Life
Canteen
In some prisons, the prisoner will be able to spend money in the prison shop - this is called the canteen. Those under sixteen will not be allowed to buy tobacco or cigarettes.
Money to buy goods can be sent in by friends and relatives or can be earned from working in the prison workshops up to a set maximum amount. The rest of the money will be saved for their release.
Special Diets
Each prisoner is allowed to ask for a variety of foods for dietary, religious or ethical reasons. Prisons may allow special food to be brought in for religious festivals but this can normally be prepared in the approved manner in the prison. Newly transferred prisoners may not receive this food straightaway and prisoners should make an application for their special diet as soon as possible.
Religion
When the prisoner first arrives in prison they will be asked to register their religion. The Prison Service respects the need for all prisoners to be free to practise their religion. This means that prisons should provide a suitable place for meetings and services. The prison Chaplaincy is committed to serving the needs of prisoners, staff and faith communities by engaging their experience through religious faith and practice. The prison should take account of various times of prayer, holidays and festivals. It should also help the prisoner with any needs relating to hygiene, dress or diet.
Exercise and Leisure
The prisoner should be able to spend time in the open air every day however this will not always be the case (e.g. if the weather is bad). Ideally the prisoner should be able to spend about half an hour to an hour in the open air every day. In many prisons physical education is available. Open prisons do not have exercise periods as the prisoner can walk around more freely.
Some prisons may have in-cell TV facilities. This is a privilege given to those on enhanced regimes in part recognition for good behaviour. Prisoners have to pay for these facilities.
Free association is generally available where prisoners can socialise with each other and play games or watch TV.
Education and Training
All prisons have an education department and library. The focus is on the Prison Service's core educational curriculum, which covers basic education skills, IT skills and life and social skills. There are also basic education classes available for prisoners who need help with reading or dealing with numbers. The prisoner will usually be able to visit the prison library at least once a week.
Use the link on the right to visit the Department For Education and Skills website for further information.
The aims of training are: to develop personal responsibility, encourage the prisoners' interests and skills and improve the prisoners' chance of finding a job on release and preventing further offending.
All sentenced young offenders under 16 must attend education or training classes for at least 15 hours per week. Those over this age in a Young Offenders institution can have the same amount of education if requested.
Work
Prison Service policy is that work should be the core daytime activity for adult prisoners. Throughout their sentence work should play a role in providing skills and qualifications the prisoner may need to gain employment on release. Achievements and needs are monitored to ensure that as much as possible the prisoner follows a constructive work plan.
Offending behaviour Courses
The prisoner may be asked to go to groups or courses to examine the circumstances surrounding how they came to prison, to encourage them to learn from their mistakes and to prevent the chances of them re-offending. If the prisoner needs further help and advice about education, training, work opportunities or programmes to help offending behaviour they should ask a prison officer or the prison probation officer.