Dochas Centre

AryaStark · 30-05-2014 10:40PM #1

Hi,

I am not sure which forum to post this in so maybe it can be moved if this is not right.

I have to go into the Dochas Centre (female prison Dublin) on Monday for non payments of fines. I wont be able to get the money together so just have to go ahead. It is then 60 days. I am wondering does anybody knows how this goes or what I should expect. I am dreading it but there is nothing I can do to change it so now I just want to make sure I am prepared... I was told to bring clothes and money but that is it...

Any advice would be great, Thanks.

nullzero · 30-05-2014 10:41PM

Box set of Prisoner Cell block H should answer your questions.

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 10:47PM

You'll be home before the Gard who brings you, going by what happens around here. I'd bring a packed lunch, and that's about it. If you've been a really bad girl(I doubt it) you'll do a couple of weeks and make some new friends who are ordinary people just like you. keep your head down, your gob shut and be nice - treat it as an odd holiday. Keep the bright side out and good luck -just be yourself, not having the money is just finances - no-one else goes to jail for financial crimes, unless you're a garlic baron and they have it in for you. I hope it all goes ok for you -but feck it, sure it's a side of life -you might make friends, be well.

My name is URL · 30-05-2014 10:47PM

How much in fines dis you not pay? 60 days sounds a bit extreme for such a crime.

Prisons should not be used for this bullshit

30-05-2014 10:48PM

If you get in touch with the prison Chaplain you will probably be able to ask all your questions and have them answered with some understanding, I don't think this is the place for the support you need.

I hope you cope well with the experience.

wazky · 30-05-2014 10:48PM

Bring a cake, with a nail file imbedded in it to saw away at the bars.

Uriel. · 30-05-2014 10:49PM

My name is URL wrote: »

How much in fines dis you not pay? 60 days sounds a bit extreme for such a crime.

Prisons should be used for this bullshit

Agreed (on the assumption that you made typo). Non payment of fines should be deducted from state benefits or tax credits instead of prison sentences (depending on the nature of the offence and whether it's a repeat etc)

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 10:50PM

wazky wrote: »

Bring a cake, with a nail file imbedded in it to saw away at the bars.

As chief gobshyte, even I know this person is probably devastated and worried. A real crim wouldn't give a shyte. Maybe be nice?

131spanner · 30-05-2014 10:50PM

Walk in the front door and hit the biggest, meanest looking sonuva bítch you see.

Ain't nobody gonna fúck with AryaStark after that.

Seriously though, good luck with it.

Little CuChulainn · 30-05-2014 10:54PM

My name is URL wrote: »

How much in fines dis you not pay? 60 days sounds a bit extreme for such a crime.

Prisons should not be used for this bullshit

You don't even know what the fine is for. Fines are generally given in lieu of prison sentences. It makes sense that the penalty for not paying them is time in prison

My name is URL · 30-05-2014 10:55PM

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

You don't even know what the fine is for. Fines are generally given in lieu of prison sentences. It makes sense that the penalty for not paying them is time in prison

It makes no sense whatsoever. It costs thousands of euro and gives nothing tangible back in return..

Cassi 202 · 30-05-2014 10:55PM

Tail Docker wrote: »

You'll be home before the Gard who brings you, going by what happens around here.

Too true, you got there before me

uch · 30-05-2014 10:57PM

Tail Docker wrote: »

You'll be home before the Gard who brings you, going by what happens around here. I'd bring a packed lunch, and that's about it. If you've been a really bad girl(I doubt it) you'll do a couple of weeks and make some new friends who are ordinary people just like you. keep your head down, your gob shut and be nice - treat it as an odd holiday. Keep the bright side out and good luck -just be yourself, not having the money is just finances - no-one else goes to jail for financial crimes, unless you're a garlic baron and they have it in for you. I hope it all goes ok for you -but feck it, sure it's a side of life -you might make friends, be well.

I was going to come into this thread with all witty/daft guns blazing but OP seems serious, so what TD says is very good advice

AryaStark · 30-05-2014 10:59PM

Tail Docker wrote: »

As chief gobshyte, even I know this person is probably devastated and worried. A real crim wouldn't give a shyte. Maybe be nice?

A thanks... I know Ill probably get a bit of a slagging here but also hoping somebody who has been there also replies.
It is an eight hundred euro fine. I have saved 350 but they don't let you make payments and they wont give me more time (its over a year since I got the fine so I understand). I am real nervous but again nothing I can do to change it so just hope that it is over asap... I would love to be sent home but cant rely on it!
The advise about getting onto the chaplain is great and Ill look into it.

wazky · 30-05-2014 10:59PM

In all seriousness, you will more than likely be out on the.same day if you get in early enough.

And will only see the holding cells, they also have to feed you once your in there so I'm told.

Though my information is from the.men's prisons, don't know if it's a different system for women.

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 11:02PM

uch wrote: »

I was going to come into this thread with all witty/daft guns blazing but OP seems serious, so what TD says is very good advice

I've always viewed going to jail as being a shyte thing that happens to a lot of ordinary people. I used to work with prisoners who were due for release and met a lot of decent people who made a mistake - usually one they died about every day and deeply regretted. Sh1t happens, it doesn't need to be made sh1tter.

caustic 1 · 30-05-2014 11:11PM

Sorry for your bothers, hope it pans out for you.

30-05-2014 11:21PM

AryaStark wrote: »

A thanks... I know Ill probably get a bit of a slagging here but also hoping somebody who has been there also replies.
It is an eight hundred euro fine. I have saved 350 but they don't let you make payments and they wont give me more time (its over a year since I got the fine so I understand). I am real nervous but again nothing I can do to change it so just hope that it is over asap... I would love to be sent home but cant rely on it!
The advise about getting onto the chaplain is great and Ill look into it.

well,thats not true, if there was a warrant for you, and you ignored it, then you should have done something about it.
i know the warrants officer would take instalments.

either you didnt try too hard or you couldnt care less about going to prison,

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 11:24PM

bubblypop wrote: »

well,thats not true, if there was a warrant for you, and you ignored it, then you should have done something about it.
i know the warrants officer would take instalments.

either you didnt try too hard or you couldnt care less about going to prison,

People bury their heads in the sand -there you go. You should know that by now.

AryaStark · 30-05-2014 11:27PM

bubblypop wrote: »

well,thats not true, if there was a warrant for you, and you ignored it, then you should have done something about it.
i know the warrants officer would take instalments.

either you didnt try too hard or you couldnt care less about going to prison,

It is a fact that they wont take payments. I tried ... weekly payments I could manage but putting the money by made it hard. I think they should take it from social welfare payments.
Anyway you can think what you like doesn't make a difference to me!

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 11:30PM

AryaStark wrote: »

It is a fact that they wont take payments. I tried ... weekly payments I could manage but putting the money by made it hard. I think they should take it from social welfare payments.
Anyway you can think what you like doesn't make a difference to me!

If you're unlucky, you could have a bubblycop driving you up there..:D

AryaStark · 30-05-2014 11:35PM

Tail Docker wrote: »

If you're unlucky, you could have a bubblycop driving you up there..:D

I already met the Garda who will be driving me up! She told me there will be a couple of us going up together. I just have to head into the Garda Station on Monday morning.

Sulla Felix · 30-05-2014 11:36PM

Best of luck OP, you'll be grand.

Fr_Dougal · 30-05-2014 11:36PM

Bring sanitary towels, lots of them. You'll need them to make shower slippers, saw it on a documentary once. Oh and don't piss off the lady that runs the canteen!

30-05-2014 11:47PM

bubblypop wrote: »

well,thats not true, if there was a warrant for you, and you ignored it, then you should have done something about it.
i know the warrants officer would take instalments.

either you didnt try too hard or you couldnt care less about going to prison,

Many years ago I owed money for a fine and the local guard called to my home to collect as I hadn't paid it. I said I couldn't afford it in one go and he said that he couldn't take it in installments. He asked me to get the money together within the next four weeks as they have to give an answer as to why the money wasn't collected on any given month and his friendly visit would only be allowed once.

Tail Docker · 30-05-2014 11:55PM

AryaStark wrote: »

I already met the Garda who will be driving me up! She told me there will be a couple of us going up together. I just have to head into the Garda Station on Monday morning.

My money is on you being back by tuesday. I have a mate who is a gard and he's always giving out about it being a farce - they're usually back around the same time as "the prisoner" they're transporting.

Satriale · 31-05-2014 12:11AM

Aryastark, dont worry too much about it. I think you will be home not long after you are signed in.

anothernight · 31-05-2014 12:13AM

A few years ago I visited the Dochas Centre as part of a school project. The place was so nice that the guard had to try hard to make it seem not-so-nice. In the end, all he could say was something like "I know it doesn't look like a bad place, but at the end of the day these women gave up their freedom."

Gave up their freedom, but gained playstations, award-winning chefs making their food (according to the guard anyway), a fully fitted kitchen in case they wanted to make anything, etc.

Phoebas · 31-05-2014 12:29AM

Where the fcuk was the hound when Arya Stark got sent off to the dungeon?

sligojoek · 31-05-2014 02:05AM

A neighbour of mine owed a similar amount. She met the gardai by appointment at 8 one morning and was back in Sligo at 9 that night. She was in a holding cell for a couple of hours and they gave her a bus ticket home.

Fred Swanson · 31-05-2014 02:17AM

This post has been deleted.

Dochas Centre

Comments