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What should Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce take into prison? What should Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce take into prison?
(7 months later)
"I suggest you bring a toothbrush," is the traditional utterance of the judge or magistrate to a convicted defendant in advance of an appearance for sentencing. This is the favoured legal euphemism for telling someone they are about to be banged up for a while. But what, apart from the aforementioned toiletry, should someone take to jail with them? The question was prompted by photos of Vicky Pryce apparently shopping for a radio, socks and hair dye at the weekend. So what should a first-time offender bring to court in anticipation of a jail term?"I suggest you bring a toothbrush," is the traditional utterance of the judge or magistrate to a convicted defendant in advance of an appearance for sentencing. This is the favoured legal euphemism for telling someone they are about to be banged up for a while. But what, apart from the aforementioned toiletry, should someone take to jail with them? The question was prompted by photos of Vicky Pryce apparently shopping for a radio, socks and hair dye at the weekend. So what should a first-time offender bring to court in anticipation of a jail term?
A convicted prisoner can take up to two boxes of belongings in with them. These can include books, clothes – spare underwear is recommended – a radio, a stereo, computer games, stamps, envelopes, stationery and even drawing and painting materials. Exceptions to the two-box rule can be made for musical instruments: perfect time to learn that guitar.A convicted prisoner can take up to two boxes of belongings in with them. These can include books, clothes – spare underwear is recommended – a radio, a stereo, computer games, stamps, envelopes, stationery and even drawing and painting materials. Exceptions to the two-box rule can be made for musical instruments: perfect time to learn that guitar.
"Make a note of important phone numbers you might want to use," is one piece of advice from the Prison Reform Trust. Many people now rely on their mobiles to remember most numbers and that mobile will be confiscated on arrival in prison and retained until the prisoner's release. No mobile phones are allowed inside; if smuggled in later, they become a valuable currency, but will also add time to a sentence if discovered. Prisoners can make phone calls from inside, for which they will be given a private PIN number, and can have up to £50 in their phone account for making such calls. The other key item to remember, says the Trust, is whatever medication you might need."Make a note of important phone numbers you might want to use," is one piece of advice from the Prison Reform Trust. Many people now rely on their mobiles to remember most numbers and that mobile will be confiscated on arrival in prison and retained until the prisoner's release. No mobile phones are allowed inside; if smuggled in later, they become a valuable currency, but will also add time to a sentence if discovered. Prisoners can make phone calls from inside, for which they will be given a private PIN number, and can have up to £50 in their phone account for making such calls. The other key item to remember, says the Trust, is whatever medication you might need.
Apart from illicit mobile phones, tobacco remains a currency inside, just as it was in the days of Porridge, where it was invariably referred to as "snout". A convicted prisoner can take in 80 cigarettes or 62.5 grammes of loose tobacco – a way for a non-smoker to purchase a little popularity inside.Apart from illicit mobile phones, tobacco remains a currency inside, just as it was in the days of Porridge, where it was invariably referred to as "snout". A convicted prisoner can take in 80 cigarettes or 62.5 grammes of loose tobacco – a way for a non-smoker to purchase a little popularity inside.
Every prison has a library and is obliged to give an inmate access to it, but new arrivals are advised take books that they reckon they might not find inside. Jonathan Aitken's two volumes, Porridge and Passion and Pride and Perjury, are entertaining accounts of what life is like for someone who might never have contemplated spending time behind bars. Our own Erwin James's A Life Inside would be another recommended read.Every prison has a library and is obliged to give an inmate access to it, but new arrivals are advised take books that they reckon they might not find inside. Jonathan Aitken's two volumes, Porridge and Passion and Pride and Perjury, are entertaining accounts of what life is like for someone who might never have contemplated spending time behind bars. Our own Erwin James's A Life Inside would be another recommended read.
A few prisons still permit prisoners to have a budgie or canary as company but these are dependent on the individual policies of a prison governor and will apply only to a small number of long-term prisoners. A new arrival would be ill-advised to arrive with a canary in a cage as they prepare to do their bird.A few prisons still permit prisoners to have a budgie or canary as company but these are dependent on the individual policies of a prison governor and will apply only to a small number of long-term prisoners. A new arrival would be ill-advised to arrive with a canary in a cage as they prepare to do their bird.
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