Prisons Walkthrough - Daily Life
- If the prisoner is concerned for their own safety at any point, will they be placed in secure accommodation?
- Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
- Will prisoners have to get their hair cut?
- If the prisoner is feeling worried about something who should they talk to?
- Are there any external organisations who can help?
- If the prisoner is feeling anxious or depressed who can they speak to?
- What do prisoners with drugs or alcohol addiction problems do?
- What kind of medication can I take into prison with me?
- If a prisoner is pregnant will they have to give birth in prison?
- Will a pregnant prisoner automatically receive a place in a mother and baby unit?
- Can I eat a special diet in prison?
- Can prisoners see a Minister of their particular faith?
- What kind of work is available for prisoners?
- What kind of skills can a prisoner learn?
- What can visitors who are worried about a prisoner do?
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If the prisoner is concerned for their own safety at any point, will they be placed in secure accommodation?
Some prisoners are kept in separate units away from the main area of the prison for their own protection or in the interests of good order or discipline within the prison. This can be for a number of social reasons, including convictions for sexual offences.
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Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
Women prisoners are encouraged to wear their own clothes. Male prisoners are usually issued with uniform clothing, depending on which level of the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme they are on. Remand prisoners are generally allowed to wear their own clothes.
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Will prisoners have to get their hair cut?
Prisoners’ hair will not be cut without their consent.
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If the prisoner is feeling worried about something who should they talk to?
Prisoners should talk to a prison officer about anything worrying them, especially the prison officers on their wing or unit or their personal officer. Prisoners trained as Listeners are available to help in some prisons. You could also talk to a member of the healthcare team or the multi faith chaplaincy team.
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Are there any external organisations who can help?
Samaritans works to support prisoners throughout the UK in two ways:
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Samaritan volunteers visit local prisons:
- Some branches operate visiting projects, where volunteers offer emotional support directly to prisoners face to face. Prisoners are welcome to contact Samaritans themselves in the normal ways.
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Prisoner Listener schemes:
- Volunteers from some branches go into prisons and select, train and support prisoners to listen to their fellow inmates. These Listeners befriend fellow prisoners in line with the values of Samaritans.
There are also a number of organisations offering help and support to Prisoners and their families. Visit our support page for links to relevant organisations.
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Samaritan volunteers visit local prisons:
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If the prisoner is feeling anxious or depressed who can they speak to?
Prisoners who are feeling anxious or depressed should talk to either a prison officer or to a member of the healthcare team. Prisoners trained as Listeners are available to help in some prisons. You could also talk to a member of the multi faith chaplaincy team.
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What do prisoners with drugs or alcohol addiction problems do?
Tell the healthcare workers who see them when they arrive. Treatment programmes are available in many prisons to help with these problems.
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What kind of medication can I take into prison with me?
On arrival the prisoner should let the prison officers know of any medication they have to take. They will not be able to keep medication in their possession. The prison doctor will prescribe medication. If the doctor approves any medication it will be given out by the healthcare centre.
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If a prisoner is pregnant will they have to give birth in prison?
No, although some ante-natal care may take place in the prison the birth will be at a local hospital.
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Will a pregnant prisoner automatically receive a place in a mother and baby unit?
No. Pregnant prisoners would have to apply for a place in a mother and baby unit.
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Can I eat a special diet in prison?
Most diets are catered for in prison including vegetarian, vegan, Halal and Kosher. Prisoners should let the prison staff know of any special requirements straight away.
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Can prisoners see a Minister of their particular faith?
Yes - they should be able to. Prisoners can apply using a form from the Wing Officer.
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What kind of work is available for prisoners?
There are different types of paid work, such as cleaning, catering, gardening, farm-work, car maintenance, other industrial workshops, hairdressing, general building maintenance and operating switchboards and call centres.
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What kind of skills can a prisoner learn?
Training may be available in the following trades: textiles, engineering, woodwork, printing, plastic moulding, component assembly, computer aided design and desktop publishing. Availability of these courses will vary from prison to prison.
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What can visitors who are worried about a prisoner do?
If Visitors have concerns over the health of a prisoner they should tell a member of the prison staff. If the visitor cannot speak to one of the prison officers immediately then the visitor should contact the prison governor.