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Now Ye're Talking - to an ex-prisoner

  • 07-09-2017 11:02am
    #1
    Boards.ie: Mark
    Boards.ie Employee Posts: 5,461 ✭✭✭✭✭Boards.ie: Mark
    Boards.ie Employee


    Our next AMA guest is an ex-prisoner who was sentenced to six years in prison, serving 39 months of that sentence. Our volunteer is relatively newly released and is eager to share insights into their experience.

    An ex-prisoner was on your AMA wishlist, so there should be plenty of interest in this AMA and it promises to be an eye-opening thread.

    Please remember, however, that they are under no obligation to answer every question posed to them.

    How can I? User's guide to some features on the new site



«134567

Comments

  • #2
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Do you feel you deserved to go to prison? And did it serve any purpose beyond punishment?


  • #3
    GBX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,015 ✭✭✭✭GBX


    Do you feel any remorse for the crime you committed ? Has prison put you off offending again for fear of going back inside?


  • #4
    Sin City
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,375 ✭✭✭Sin City


    Did you drop the soap :D


  • #5
    Faith+1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Faith+1


    Do some inmates make it a lifestyle choice to want to stay in prison?


  • #6
    RustyNut
    Registered Users Posts: 3,430 ✭✭✭RustyNut


    What positives if any did you take away from your time inside?


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  • #7
    Boom_Bap
    Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    Is there alot more freedom in prison than what you expected?
    Is there any respect for the prison officers?
    How many plans for escape or getting contraband in are in the works at any one time?
    Did you do what they say in the movies and just batter the biggest guy you see on day 1?


  • #8
    davo2001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,320 ✭✭✭davo2001


    Do you feel that serving a little over half of your sentence is appropriate to your victim? How do you think they feel about this?


  • #9
    Call me Al
    Registered Users Posts: 3,029 ✭✭✭Call me Al


    Was this your first time to go to jail and do you feel its enough of a deterrent to committing crime in the future?

    What's your opinion on the punishment v rehabilitation function of prisons?

    If the gang you are pally with are the criminal type have you changed your habits, or are you back in touch with the same group again?


  • #10
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    How are you all doing guys?

    I have about two days to do this so I will answer as much as possible, it might be at interval stages as I am in work at the moment so will be fitting as much in as I can without the boss over my shoulder :)


  • #11
    Ximena Yummy Cashew
    Posts: 0 ✭ Ximena Yummy Cashew


    Now that your on the outside how do you plan on getting a job?

    Is it difficult for ex prisoners to get back into the workforce?


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  • #12
    Jobs OXO
    Closed Accounts Posts: 887 ✭✭✭Jobs OXO


    What's the bullying culture like? Is it anything like Americas Toughest Prisons - either you're the shark or the food?


  • #13
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    GBX wrote: »
    Do you feel any remorse for the crime you committed ? Has prison put you off offending again for fear of going back inside?

    Yes I definitely feel remorse, it was a life lesson also. It thought me alot about myself. I wasnt neccessarily cut out for prison but I learned to adapt fairly quickly.
    amcalester wrote: »
    Do you feel you deserved to go to prison? And did it serve any purpose beyond punishment?

    Yes I definitely deserved to go to prison, it was one of the biggest drug seizures in the state at the time. There have been bigger since though in fairness!


  • #14
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Ximena Yummy Cashew wrote: »
    Now that your on the outside how do you plan on getting a job?

    Is it difficult for ex prisoners to get back into the workforce?

    I am actually working at the moment, in fairness I got the job through a friend and my employer knows my past issues etc, I am doing quite well in that regard but in general its a nightmare for ex prisoners to get a job unless its through someone they know. Thats my experience anyway.


  • #15
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Call me Al wrote: »
    Was this your first time to go to jail and do you feel its enough of a deterrent to committing crime in the future?

    What's your opinion on the punishment v rehabilitation function of prisons?

    If the gang you are pally with are the criminal type have you changed your habits, or are you back in touch with the same group again?

    Yes it was my first time. Id be fairly sure it is my last time too. I have cut all ties with previous associates. It most definitely is not the type of life I want to lead, in fact, it wasnt then either , I just sort of fell in to a trap being young and naive I guess.

    There definitely needs to be an overhaul of how prisons are managed regards rehabilitation and reform. The only prisoners I know that have taken a half decent path since release are ones who got involved in the few good things that go on in prison like courses and projects etc.


  • #16
    jimmycrackcorm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,345 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    What was your daily routine?


  • #17
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Jobs OXO wrote: »
    What's the bullying culture like? Is it anything like Americas Toughest Prisons - either you're the shark or the food?

    Nothing like America at all! its very intense in a way, its like everyone is just feeling everyone out all of the time. there was some fights and some gory things I witnessed like attempted suicides, stabbings and severe beatings etc. Alot of very humourous situations too though.


  • #18
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    jimmycrackcorm wrote: »
    What was your daily routine?

    Breakfast at 8.15am-collect it and bring back to your cell to be locked back up
    9.30am School or workshops
    12pm Dinner in cell and locked up
    2.15 School, workshops or recreation yard
    4pm Tea and locked up
    5.30 Recreation or Gym
    7pm locked up for the night.


  • #19
    Pelvis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,758 ✭✭✭Pelvis


    Have you caught up on Narcos yet?


  • #20
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Faith+1 wrote: »
    Do some inmates make it a lifestyle choice to want to stay in prison?
    Definitely!! Some know no different, they probably feel more comfortable inside than they do outside. Alot of them are homeless or have noone on the outside. Its a community spirit in there in one regard.


  • #21
    Sabre0001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭Sabre0001


    GypsyByName wrote: »
    Breakfast at 8.15am-collect it and bring back to your cell to be locked back up
    9.30am School or workshops
    12pm Dinner in cell and locked up
    2.15 School, workshops or recreation yard
    4pm Tea and locked up
    5.30 Recreation or Gym
    7pm locked up for the night.

    What did you do to occupy yourself and your mind with so much time in your cell?

    Did you have a cellmate? Did you get on with them? Any interesting / unexpected interactions?

    🤪



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  • #22
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Pelvis wrote: »
    Have you caught up on Narcos yet?

    Watched the first few seasons, havent started the latest yet!


  • #23
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    How hard is it to keep your head down in prison and just serve your time, without getting involved is any hassle inside?


  • #24
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Sabre0001 wrote: »
    What did you do to occupy yourself and your mind with so much time in your cell?

    Did you have a cellmate? Did you get on with them? Any interesting / unexpected interactions?

    I had a cellmate at first, he wasnt too bad, we got on well enough. no interactions out of the ordinary.

    Watched alot of tv and slept alot when I had a cellmate, when I had my own cell I got stuck into studying, repeated my leaving cert in English and went on to do an Open University course in Business.


  • #25
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Deleted User wrote: »
    How hard is it to keep your head down in prison and just serve your time, without getting involved is any hassle inside?

    Ya know most of the trouble in prison is actually drug related, "parcels" not divided up as they should be or people owing money for drugs in prison etc, not like they can hide! if they get moved to another prison they can still be "got". There is no escaping in the system.


  • #26
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Boom_Bap wrote: »
    Is there alot more freedom in prison than what you expected?
    Is there any respect for the prison officers?
    How many plans for escape or getting contraband in are in the works at any one time?
    Did you do what they say in the movies and just batter the biggest guy you see on day 1?

    1. Theres not that much freedom at all!
    2. Escaping is a myth from prison unless its an open prison then you can literally just walk out. Contraband is a daily thing, parcels come in every day. Every SINGLE DAY!!
    3. Nah I was ****ting myself! was more of a jack the lad and messer than a fighter.


  • #27
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Sin City wrote: »
    Did you drop the soap :D


    I never expected that question at all!! I kept it tied to a string around my little finger!


  • #28
    McCrack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,981 ✭✭✭McCrack


    Did you get a P19?


  • #29
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    McCrack wrote: »
    Did you get a P19?


    No I never got one, I was kind of a model prisoner, sorry if thats not dramatic enough for you :)

    But I did steal a blank one from the landing office and fill it out in my cell mates name. I took his priviliges off him. Stating that he had to stay in his cell in the evening at 5.30pm
    I said it was punishment for rooting in the bins!!


  • #30
    Jobs OXO
    Closed Accounts Posts: 887 ✭✭✭Jobs OXO


    What's the grub like ? Would love to see a weekly menu? Any choice? Any hope of KFC?


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  • #31
    McCrack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,981 ✭✭✭McCrack


    Which prison were you in & did you get transferred?

    Did you get TR, did you do work/classes?


  • #32
    wyliecoyote1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭wyliecoyote1


    how did you get caught?


  • #33
    jimmycrackcorm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,345 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    Has your experience put you off going to prison again our is it a bearable experience?

    How did your family cope with you being in?

    Did you get in trouble with the drug suppliers for losing their stuff?


  • #34
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    What did you get locked up for?

    Do you feel serving half your sentence was justified?


    thanks


  • #35
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Jobs OXO wrote: »
    What's the grub like ? Would love to see a weekly menu? Any choice? Any hope of KFC?
    You are guaranteed fish on Fridays!! It wasnt actually that bad.
    Sunday was normally chicken wuth potatoes and carrotts.
    The other days were Sausages and mash, pasta bolognese, coddle, stew, gammon steak and potatoes with cabbage, curry both chicken and beef. im probably missing one or two dishes. It was done on a 30 day cycle if I remember correctly.
    Tea time was normally sausages and beans, burgers(we called them brake pads!), pies etc. oh **** me we got these gammon disc things that were more like pink frisbies!
    McCrack wrote: »
    Which prison were you in & did you get transferred?
    Served half my sentence in Mountjoy and the other half in Loughan House in Cavan
    McCrack wrote: »
    Did you get TR, did you do work/classes?
    I got released on a Community release scheme where I had to do community service for the remainder of my sentence (in my old secondary school!!)
    wyliecoyote1 wrote: »
    how did you get caught?
    Fairly convinced I was "grassed on". As for actually being caught I was lying on my bed naked watching telly when they burst in(true story)
    jimmycrackcorm wrote: »
    Has your experience put you off going to prison again our is it a bearable experience?
    It really depends on your mindset if I am totally honest, there are days when I actually miss the place! It was bearable to an extent. I dont want to go back though.
    jimmycrackcorm wrote: »
    How did your family cope with you being in?
    EHHHhhhmmm I dont know its hard to tell, I think my father was more concerned about what people would say rather than actually giving a **** about me If I was to be blunt, hurt my mother a bit though.
    jimmycrackcorm wrote: »
    Did you get in trouble with the drug suppliers for losing their stuff?
    Nope, they disappearred!


  • #36
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 17,728 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I don't have any questions for you but just would like to wish you all the best for the future.

    We all make mistakes but it seems you've made the best of the situation doing the LC, business course etc and getting out early and of course settling back into life without crime. Fair play.


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  • #37
    JoeyJJ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,663 ✭✭✭JoeyJJ


    Did you feel like your living conditions were below acceptable standards? Did you have to slop out or had functioning toilets.

    What are you allowed in your cells for entertainment (if you like) during lockup?


  • #38
    Sabre0001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭Sabre0001


    If you were to reform the prison system, what would you do?

    Fair play for pursuing education further.

    🤪



  • #39
    Larry Bee
    Registered Users Posts: 183 ✭✭Larry Bee


    Thanks for doing this - very intersting
    Here's a couple of questions off the top of my head...

    After sentincing, did you have much time to "Get your affairs in order"?

    How do you learn the ropes when first going to prison? Like, the schedules of when to eat, where to go for exercise, etc. Are you just thrown in and left to fend, or does someone tell you what to do?

    How do prisoners shave? are they allocated a razor each? What else are they allocated when the start? Is there a prison barber?

    Did you get a wage or allowance? What could you spend it on?

    Whats the most horrible or violent thing you ever saw in there?

    How do the guards deal/break up voilent incedents?

    What are the prison guards like? Would you like the job?

    How often to you get to contact family/friends? Whats visiting time like for prisoners & thier families? How are prisoner's familys treated?

    How long in advance do you know when you are leaving?

    How are you prepared for release?

    Did yu make any firends in there? Is there anyone you'd like to meet on the outside?

    What changes to the prison system based on your experiences would you make?

    Thanks
    John


  • #40
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,666 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    How much bum buddy stuff goes in while lads are doing long stints?


  • #41
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Jordy Black Miser wrote: »
    What did you get locked up for?

    Do you feel serving half your sentence was justified?

    thanks
    Eh well look if I am totally honest which I will always try to be....I seen some prisoners and repeat offenders at that getting released early. I was never going to back to crime...I played the game in prison and never got involved in anything I shouldnt. I had a mobile phone but thats my own business, but I was never caught with it, in fact an officer gave me a heads up before a search once! :) I was well liked by officers and prisoners alike because I was my own man and didnt get involved in stuff or didnt rub anyone up the wrong way. I earned my early release.
    Augeo wrote: »
    I don't have any questions for you but just would like to wish you all the best for the future.

    We all make mistakes but it seems you've made the best of the situation doing the LC, business course etc and getting out early and of course settling back into life without crime. Fair play.

    Appreciate that mate! Still a cross I have to bear, i play a game sometimes whereby when i meet new people i will chat to them for a while before telling them I have been in prison just to see how their attitudes change towards me.
    JoeyJJ wrote: »
    Did you feel like your living conditions were below acceptable standards? Did you have to slop out or had functioning toilets.

    At first I was on a wing where I had to share a cell and slop out 3 times per day, it was sick! try wiping yer arse with yesterdays newspaper, rolling it up in a plastic bag and launching it out your window!

    What are you allowed in your cells for entertainment (if you like) during lockup?
    Musical instruments, a tv, playstation 2 with no internet function and a radio etc..books obviously.
    Sabre0001 wrote: »
    If you were to reform the prison system, what would you do?

    Fair play for pursuing education further.

    Its really difficult to say because I think some prisoners wouldnt want it changed but there needs to be more courses and access to education. I think there should be an incentive for prisoners to get involved in education rather than it just being there if that makes sense.
    Larry Bee wrote: »
    Thanks for doing this - very intersting
    Here's a couple of questions off the top of my head...

    After sentincing, did you have much time to "Get your affairs in order"?

    How do you learn the ropes when first going to prison? Like, the schedules of when to eat, where to go for exercise, etc. Are you just thrown in and left to fend, or does someone tell you what to do?

    How do prisoners shave? are they allocated a razor each? What else are they allocated when the start? Is there a prison barber?

    Did you get a wage or allowance? What could you spend it on?

    Whats the most horrible or violent thing you ever saw in there?

    How do the guards deal/break up voilent incedents?

    What are the prison guards like? Would you like the job?

    How often to you get to contact family/friends? Whats visiting time like for prisoners & thier families? How are prisoner's familys treated?

    How long in advance do you know when you are leaving?

    How are you prepared for release?

    Did yu make any firends in there? Is there anyone you'd like to meet on the outside?

    What changes to the prison system based on your experiences would you make?

    Thanks
    John

    A couple of questions he says............Jaysus John!! Il need a coffee and a roll up before I tackle that list!


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  • #42
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    helimachoptor wrote: »
    How much bum buddy stuff goes in while lads are doing long stints?


    Never heard of any. Genuinely! I do know someone who had a fist up their bum but it wasnt for sexual pleasure! it was to get something out that didnt belong to him, or maybe it did but the "fister" wanted it!


  • #43
    Sinister Kid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,503 ✭✭✭Sinister Kid


    Do you have kids?
    If so, did they come visit you?
    What is your opinion on kids being brought in to prison to visit a parent?


  • #44
    eviltwin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,495 ✭✭✭✭eviltwin


    What kind of supports is there when you are released? Do you have someone to help you adjust and get yourself sorted or are you left high and dry?

    How are you adjusting to life on the outside?

    Fair play for doing the AMA and getting your life back on track.


  • #45
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    Sinister Kid wrote: »
    Do you have kids?
    If so, did they come visit you?
    What is your opinion on kids being brought in to prison to visit a parent?

    I had no kids when I was in prison, its another tricky one, it all depends on the age of the child and the length of sentence I guess.

    Funny Story..........Im on a visit with my mother....Another prisoner in his 50s beside me with his daughter and grandson..

    Grandson: Granda I thought you said you were in the army
    Prisoner: I am son why ya ask?
    Grandson: Ah Granda, yer a spoofer! It says prison on the gate!


  • #46
    Larry Bee
    Registered Users Posts: 183 ✭✭Larry Bee


    A couple of questions he says............Jaysus John!! Il need a coffee and a roll up before I tackle that list!

    :D


  • #47
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    eviltwin wrote: »
    What kind of supports is there when you are released? Do you have someone to help you adjust and get yourself sorted or are you left high and dry?

    How are you adjusting to life on the outside?

    Fair play for doing the AMA and getting your life back on track.

    You are pretty much left high and dry, i had to spoof my way through life for the first while, was a single man being released....do you tell a girl straight away or do you lie at first??? Do you put it on a job application and hope the interviewer takes a chance on you? or do you take a chance and hope they dont find out? I tried all the scenarios and somehow managed to land on my feet after all. only through a good friend who maybe released I wasnt the lying scumbag thieving bastard I was pretending to be all along :)
    Larry Bee wrote: »
    Thanks for doing this - very intersting
    Here's a couple of questions off the top of my head...

    After sentincing, did you have much time to "Get your affairs in order"?

    Straight to prison, no hanging about!

    How do you learn the ropes when first going to prison? Like, the schedules of when to eat, where to go for exercise, etc. Are you just thrown in and left to fend, or does someone tell you what to do?

    You follow everyone else, someone will always appraoch you to find out who you are etc, see if your a threat so to speak or if they can get anything from you. you learn as you go along.

    How do prisoners shave? are they allocated a razor each? What else are they allocated when the start? Is there a prison barber?

    You buy blades in the shop and they are kept in the office, if you want to shave you can get it from the officer on duty, bring back your old one to get a new one etc.
    Theres always a few lads on each landing that cut hair for tobacco!

    Did you get a wage or allowance? What could you spend it on?

    Sweets and tobacco

    Whats the most horrible or violent thing you ever saw in there?

    Witnessed a fella getting cut from ear to ear, i could see his back teeth through his cheeks!

    How do the guards deal/break up voilent incedents?

    en masse!

    What are the prison guards like? Would you like the job?

    Its a horrible job..there are scumbags in uniforms and gentlemen in uniforms as much as there are scum in tracksuits as well as gentlemen

    How often to you get to contact family/friends? Whats visiting time like for prisoners & thier families? How are prisoner's familys treated?

    Id a girl come visit me once...an officer said to her " your not gonna wait for him are ya?" that might give you an insight.

    Visit is one 30 min visit per week but ususlly runs to 45 mins depending on the officers discretion or how busy it is.
    One phone call a day for 6 mins

    How long in advance do you know when you are leaving?

    I knew a few months in advance but not the actual date, they came to me on a wednesday and told me id be getting out on the monday!

    How are you prepared for release?

    I got a few weekends out before my eventual release. thats about your lot, no preparation really.

    Did yu make any firends in there? Is there anyone you'd like to meet on the outside?
    I met one or two people only one real friend id say, hes dead now.

    What changes to the prison system based on your experiences would you make?

    Answered this above i think

    Thanks
    John


  • #48
    Hazys
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    How prevalent are drugs in the Irish prison system? How easy/hard are they to get? How many prisoners are heavy users in prison?

    My prison knowledge is limited to US TV and movies and they show that a lot of corruption from the prison officers smuggling in contraband. Is there corruption among Irish Prison Guards? And how are the prison guards in general?


  • #49
    GypsyByName
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭GypsyByName


    GypsyByName wrote: »
    You are pretty much left high and dry, i had to spoof my way through life for the first while, was a single man being released....do you tell a girl straight away or do you lie at first??? Do you put it on a job application and hope the interviewer takes a chance on you? or do you take a chance and hope they dont find out? I tried all the scenarios and somehow managed to land on my feet after all. only through a good friend who maybe released I wasnt the lying scumbag thieving bastard I was pretending to be all along :)

    Sorry i made a dogs dinner of that....questions are in the quote :)


  • #50
    Hazys
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,510 ✭✭✭Hazys


    Again another US TV and movies influenced question, is there any prisoners still running their outside "business" from their cell?

    Is there illegal market for contraband in the prison? If so, how does it work?


  • #51
    Conchir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    Have you read the prison officer AMA on this forum? Did it change your thoughts on officers or the running of a prison, or confirm any guesses you had?

    I see you only registered this year so you may have missed it, it's one of the earliest ones if you're interested.

    Hope everything is going well for you now!


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