Know anything about prison?

Stheno wrote: »

I don't think you'll be out in a few hours if you've 45 days to serve tbh

I know that because it adds up to 45 days altogether it's probably more than most. One of them is only 3 days. I'd say if i was just going in for that it would only be a couple of hours.

starling wrote: »

To be fair, this isn't just "unpaid fines," the original offence involved crimes that have the potential to cause serious harm - drink driving particularly, but also driving with no insurance means that in the case of an accident OP wouldn't be able to make any kind of restitution. What I'm saying is that "unpaid fines" can make it sound like he didn't have a TV licence. No offence OP and fair play to you for changing that behaviour, but wouldn't you agree that it is your responsibility to deal with the consequences of that behaviour?

Now bearing in mind the young fella I mentioned up thread, believe me when I say I'm not trying to claim that you deserve to be beaten and raped or physically harmed in any way - I'm just talking about the notion that choices have consequences, you know what I mean I hope.

I do know what you're saying. i did go a bit mad for a bit and I know I have to deal with the consequences and that's what I'm doing. It's all made me grow up a bit.

I know what you said about that guy. It sounds so tragic but I'd say it's pretty unique but I know it's not the best place to be.

Savage Tyrant wrote: »

I went in for fines 3 times to Maghaberry prison in the north... 2x 7days and a 14 day.
The system there was to hand yourself in to the local barracks at about 10pm and spend the night in a cell there and that counted as a day. Following morning brought up. Few hours in the holding cells and then down to the committal wing where it was 23hr lockup. Meals in the cell and an hour in the yard. Then out in 3 days.
The 14 day one saw me processed through the committal wing and onto a main wing. That was an eye opener for sure. Shared a cell for 4 days there with a headbanger that was coming down off all sorts of ****. But he wasn't physically intimidating ... But he stank like a farmyard animal.
There was manslaughter inmates and other serious lads on that wing in their own single cells. Only really conversed with them in the que for the phone and on the last day I gave out what was left of my tuck shop which they seemed to appreciate.
The 7 day ones usually meant 1 night in the barracks and 2/3 in the prison... The 14 day one was 3 days in committal wing and 4 on the main.

I then did the same thing for fines down here.... Guard called out to the house... Asked me was tomorrow ok for me. I said yes...
Arrived at the local barracks at 8am... He told me he wasn't ready as the other guy I was going with was running late... Head on there and get a coffee and come back at 10am.... Back at 10 and into the car... Drove a couple of hours from wicklow to Portlaoise prison and had a grand chat.
Into the prison... Into a holding cell by 12.30 or so.... Little bit later, the worst meal of my life arrived... 4pm given conditional release papers and released with a travel voucher ... Walked down to the train station, got the train home and back in wicklow on my sofa for a late dinner.

So it seems it's usual to do half the time up North. What happened to you down here seems funny. How many days was that meant to be?

starling wrote: »

FYP.

He could pay it, he's choosing prison over debt. That's his choice to make and I'm not judging him for it, but he's still responsible for what he did and for how he chooses to deal with the consequences.

If an offence merits a fine, then there has to be some consequence when someone who doesn't pay the fine, wouldn't you agree?

Now personally I think it would be better if someone in OP's position could do community service instead of just sitting in prison. That has the potential to benefit both the OP and the community. He'd basically be paying the fine, but with his labour by "working it off" instead of getting into debt.

Another potential benefit would be that hypothetically if he did something like helping out at a hospital or something that put him in a position to become familiar with the potential effects of drink driving, it would be a much more effective deterrent in the future.

But that's neither here nor there because apparently the options for OP are prison or pay. The point is, there has to be some real consequences for a crime, and that in fairness, OP is a big boy and he did make a choice.

I actually asked about that but that's not how it works. You have to pay up or go to prison. I'd much prefer to do some community service.

rondog wrote: »

Don't bring anything of value.No watches ,jewellery etc.Any junkie or other crim will try to take it from you if he considers you weak so he can use it as a bartering tool in prison for tobacco,drugs etc.

Tell your parents.I thought I was going in to court before for a fine and ended up on remand.Had to tell my mother on the phone and as I had kept the whole court thing a secret from my family she was completely shocked to find out as she thought I was going to the shops to do the lotto:(.

Its true what they say,if you are approached,dont be a bitch.Stand up to someone if they get in your face as you may very well be tested when on remand.

Keep your head down in there.Dont take anything off anyone cos they may say 'ah gowan have that' but I saw lads being approached in the following days for payment and payment was a lot more then you would pay onteh outside ir for use of an illegal phone might cost over a hundred quid.Once youre in debt,youre in debt and you will have to pay back somehow and you can imagine what they might ask.

rondog wrote: »

This is completely true based on my experience.

When you are on remand you are held in a cell in the court,downstairs,before you are put in the paddywagon.In these cells could be about 10+ other on remand or convicted prisoners waiting to be escorted to prison.

If you know you may be going to prison I wouldn't take jewellery or an ything that advertises you have anything valuable.

When you get to prison,if you know someone locked up you can ask to be put in with them.If not you will go to a holding cell until you are given somewhere to stay or if you are put on protection you will go to relevant cell.

Stamp on any matresses too that you get when you get there if that's the case.Junkies have been known to hide syringes in the mattresses.

Thanks man - heard some of that before. Don't plan on bringing anything valuable at all. I presume they take anything you have from you like at the Garda station - phone, wallet, keys all that.

Do you get to keep your own clothes? Can you get more dropped in if you need them?

I was in those holding cells once before when I got arrested and had a bench warrant. Spent the night in the Garda cells before going to court. There were a few of us waiting and then 2 lads came in who had come from prison. They were giving it loads and winding us up a bit but were alright. I had some smokes with me that the guards let me keep and they just tried to cadge them from me. I was only in that cell for a couple of hours so have a bit of an idea what you mean.

Unlucky or maybe lucky for me I don't know anybody in prison or who has been.

Into The Blue wrote: »

You'll be very surprised at how nice the guards and po's are to you. They know scum from normal people and will try to make it as easy on you as possible.

Saying that though, nothing can prepare you for when the door closes behind you and you can't get out.

Spend those first few (hardest) minutes planning a weekend away or similar. You'll be on the bus home before you know it.

Hope so. Been in the Garda cells before so know about the slamming of the door but say prison is much different

posturingpat wrote: »

2800 quid or jail :eek: Surely you've some friends that could help you out with that kind of money . People spend that on a holiday.

pablo128 wrote: »

2800 is 2 months wages if you were on the minimum wage. Now if you are not working, doing 2 days at most in the clink is a rather appealing option. If nothing else, it will be an experience. And who knows? The next time he is tempted to get behind the wheel uninsured or whatever, it might make him think twice.

If I was in the same position, I'd take the jail time.

€2,800 is loads for me - already owe a bit so don't want to have more - just not worth it. Like I said before I finished up working a couple of weeks ago and have applied for JobSeekers while I am trying to get something else.

Brian from Bray wrote: »

What age are you OP ? if you don't mind me asking

24

twowheelsonly wrote: »

What's the longest one as that's the only one that really counts? Everything else is 'run-in' to that one. i.e if the longest one is 7 or 15 days or whatever that's as much as you'll potentially do (less remission).

Right maybe that changes things. The solicitor when I was back in court said something about that The worst one I think is 30 days and she said the ones linked to that wouldn't count. But I thought she said that the 7 days and 3 days were for different dates so were separate. And then I have a 5 day one for the public order charge. I'm not sure if I'm totally right but thinking about the guard said 30 days as well.

What do you get as remission?

twowheelsonly wrote: »

It will change your record in that you'll always show up as having done time in Prison once you're issued with a Prison number.
For people that have never been to prison I'd always advise paying it. Different if you have a Prison number already..

But nobody would know that only the prisons would they so is it a big deal I know my criminal record is different?

Whatever happens with this I won't be going back to prison after it