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Hitman
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8,
Visits: 69
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Hi everyone,
I'm new here, literally came across this site by accident, I can't even remember what I was looking for! I've been out of custody for about 6-8 weeks after serving half of a 5 year sentence.
I had never been in prison before, I had been arrested once or twice but nothing more. I was expecting a suspended sentence, my pre sentence report was quite favourable, it wasn't until the morning of my sentencing that my barrister told me that the judge can ignore all the recommendations and that she had an idea that in my case that's exactly what he was going to do. I was in bits, even at 46 years of age, except from TV I had never seen the inside of a prison. At first it was what I had expected, fortunately it turned out I was at a privately run jail, G4S, according to the lads it was a holiday camp compared to a 'proper' HMP, I don't know, for me it was bad enough, like a lot of mature prisoners I'd lost everything, my home, possessions, friends and family abandoned me. I was on my own. I largely kept myself to myself, I got the nickname 'Hitman' because I resembled him in some way, I have to admit I didn't mind, I could have been called worse!
So here I am now, out of prison and trying to get my life back together, homeless, very few friends, well 1 to be honest! I'm making a little headway with re-establishing some family ties but it's like walking on egg shells, shame all around me like a thick fog, they appear to act with real scepticism at the findings of mental health professionals seeing it as excuses for my behaviour over the years. They don't understand it's been difficult for me to face these findings too, looking deeply at why you have behaved the way you did and challenging that behaviour is very difficult. Mental health support is appalling, even more so if you are a mature adult male, yes some attitudes are changing but it's too little and it's far too slow. There it is, a rather large nutshell!
I am here to help myself, and to help others if I can, share my experiences, perhaps dispel some myths, maybe provide some insight into avenues you haven't yet given thought to consider.
I welcome your response and very much look forward to spending time in a more positive environment.
Nemo Sine Vitio Est
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Yankee
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 234,
Visits: 994
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+xHi everyone, I'm new here, literally came across this site by accident, I can't even remember what I was looking for! I've been out of custody for about 6-8 weeks after serving half of a 5 year sentence. I had never been in prison before, I had been arrested once or twice but nothing more. I was expecting a suspended sentence, my pre sentence report was quite favourable, it wasn't until the morning of my sentencing that my barrister told me that the judge can ignore all the recommendations and that she had an idea that in my case that's exactly what he was going to do. I was in bits, even at 46 years of age, except from TV I had never seen the inside of a prison. At first it was what I had expected, fortunately it turned out I was at a privately run jail, G4S, according to the lads it was a holiday camp compared to a 'proper' HMP, I don't know, for me it was bad enough, like a lot of mature prisoners I'd lost everything, my home, possessions, friends and family abandoned me. I was on my own. I largely kept myself to myself, I got the nickname ' Hitman' because I resembled him in some way, I have to admit I didn't mind, I could have been called worse! So here I am now, out of prison and trying to get my life back together, homeless, very few friends, well 1 to be honest! I'm making a little headway with re-establishing some family ties but it's like walking on egg shells, shame all around me like a thick fog, they appear to act with real scepticism at the findings of mental health professionals seeing it as excuses for my behaviour over the years. They don't understand it's been difficult for me to face these findings too, looking deeply at why you have behaved the way you did and challenging that behaviour is very difficult. Mental health support is appalling, even more so if you are a mature adult male, yes some attitudes are changing but it's too little and it's far too slow. There it is, a rather large nutshell! I am here to help myself, and to help others if I can, share my experiences, perhaps dispel some myths, maybe provide some insight into avenues you haven't yet given thought to consider. I welcome your response and very much look forward to spending time in a more positive environment. Welcome to the forum Hitman. There are many users on here who are rebuilding their lives and trying to face daily challenges with a positive attitude - you will be in good company as we all look to help each other. I think society as a whole is now waking up to the mental health issues all around us. I agree that support is appalling - hopefully, the increased awareness will eventually change that situation, although it's an early work in progress and will be a long road. Unfortunately, I suspect the support for those 'rehabilitating' will be near the back of the queue. Good luck re-establishing old friendships and the family ties. I'm sure it must be excruciatingly hard at the moment - just remember that you have done the hardest part by starting the conversations.
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CC
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 201,
Visits: 5.5K
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+xHi everyone, I'm new here, literally came across this site by accident, I can't even remember what I was looking for! I've been out of custody for about 6-8 weeks after serving half of a 5 year sentence. I had never been in prison before, I had been arrested once or twice but nothing more. I was expecting a suspended sentence, my pre sentence report was quite favourable, it wasn't until the morning of my sentencing that my barrister told me that the judge can ignore all the recommendations and that she had an idea that in my case that's exactly what he was going to do. I was in bits, even at 46 years of age, except from TV I had never seen the inside of a prison. At first it was what I had expected, fortunately it turned out I was at a privately run jail, G4S, according to the lads it was a holiday camp compared to a 'proper' HMP, I don't know, for me it was bad enough, like a lot of mature prisoners I'd lost everything, my home, possessions, friends and family abandoned me. I was on my own. I largely kept myself to myself, I got the nickname ' Hitman' because I resembled him in some way, I have to admit I didn't mind, I could have been called worse! So here I am now, out of prison and trying to get my life back together, homeless, very few friends, well 1 to be honest! I'm making a little headway with re-establishing some family ties but it's like walking on egg shells, shame all around me like a thick fog, they appear to act with real scepticism at the findings of mental health professionals seeing it as excuses for my behaviour over the years. They don't understand it's been difficult for me to face these findings too, looking deeply at why you have behaved the way you did and challenging that behaviour is very difficult. Mental health support is appalling, even more so if you are a mature adult male, yes some attitudes are changing but it's too little and it's far too slow. There it is, a rather large nutshell! I am here to help myself, and to help others if I can, share my experiences, perhaps dispel some myths, maybe provide some insight into avenues you haven't yet given thought to consider. I welcome your response and very much look forward to spending time in a more positive environment. Welcome to the forum, it is a steep hill to climb but not impossible with help. My prison experience was my first as well. I am in a much better place now its a few years behind me ,it can be done it just takes time and perseverance. Your not alone on here.
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Hitman
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8,
Visits: 69
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Thank you for your comments. First line services have been fantastic, probation and my key worker here at my homeless placement have been very supportive, they have tried their very best, the issue seems to be with the second line services, the specialists, they just aren't there. When I presented as homeless to the city council armed with my introduction letter from Shelter the person behind the counter was terrible, if it wouldn't have been for my support worker being with me to take over the conversation I would have walked out and slept in a field somewhere. I was treated with complete revulsion, when she read my letter and realised I'd just that moment been released she looked me up and down like I wasn't worthy of her attention, it was humiliating; my support worker was disgusted and fair play to her she didn't half give her a dressing down and has followed up with a formal complaint. Sadly I am sure there will be more instances of this type of reaction which I will have to face but thankfully on the whole professionals have been awesome, my GP, primary mental health team, even my Job Coach at the job centre! So yes the message is getting through, it is going to take time, I think anyone working in a frontline position should receive some type of mental health awareness training, but hey, at least the ball is rolling!
Nemo Sine Vitio Est
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AB2014
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1K,
Visits: 6.9K
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+xThank you for your comments. First line services have been fantastic, probation and my key worker here at my homeless placement have been very supportive, they have tried their very best, the issue seems to be with the second line services, the specialists, they just aren't there. When I presented as homeless to the city council armed with my introduction letter from Shelter the person behind the counter was terrible, if it wouldn't have been for my support worker being with me to take over the conversation I would have walked out and slept in a field somewhere. I was treated with complete revulsion, when she read my letter and realised I'd just that moment been released she looked me up and down like I wasn't worthy of her attention, it was humiliating; my support worker was disgusted and fair play to her she didn't half give her a dressing down and has followed up with a formal complaint. Sadly I am sure there will be more instances of this type of reaction which I will have to face but thankfully on the whole professionals have been awesome, my GP, primary mental health team, even my Job Coach at the job centre! So yes the message is getting through, it is going to take time, I think anyone working in a frontline position should receive some type of mental health awareness training, but hey, at least the ball is rolling! For anyone else reading this, the response you'll get from the local authority depends almost entirely on the attitude of the person behind the desk. Some are great, some are awful, most are in between. The Reduction in Homelessness Act was probably well-intentioned but many local authorities are more interested in loopholes than aspirations. 
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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)
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Hitman
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8,
Visits: 69
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+xFor anyone else reading this, the response you'll get from the local authority depends almost entirely on the attitude of the person behind the desk. Some are great, some are awful, most are in between. The Reduction in Homelessness Act was probably well-intentioned but many local authorities are more interested in loopholes than aspirations. This largely seems to be the case, it's not without a sense of irony that she had a young gentleman trainee with her at the time which makes her behaviour all the more bizarre, we could tell from his body language he was not comfortable at all! In fact when she briefly left the tiny room he was ever so helpful and polite! Perhaps he should have been training her! The staff at my homeless placement have been superb, always asking residents how they are doing, if they need any help, and do their utmost to secure a more permanent solution to our situation, but their resources are limited, they can only do so much.
Nemo Sine Vitio Est
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CC
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 201,
Visits: 5.5K
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+x+xFor anyone else reading this, the response you'll get from the local authority depends almost entirely on the attitude of the person behind the desk. Some are great, some are awful, most are in between. The Reduction in Homelessness Act was probably well-intentioned but many local authorities are more interested in loopholes than aspirations. This largely seems to be the case, it's not without a sense of irony that she had a young gentleman trainee with her at the time which makes her behaviour all the more bizarre, we could tell from his body language he was not comfortable at all! In fact when she briefly left the tiny room he was ever so helpful and polite! Perhaps he should have been training her! The staff at my homeless placement have been superb, always asking residents how they are doing, if they need any help, and do their utmost to secure a more permanent solution to our situation, but their resources are limited, they can only do so much. I have listed below all the help I got.
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Hitman
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8,
Visits: 69
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+xI have listed below all the help I got. Unfortunately I am unable to see any text below your post
Nemo Sine Vitio Est
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CC
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 201,
Visits: 5.5K
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+x+xI have listed below all the help I got. Unfortunately I am unable to see any text below your post There is non as thats the help I got after a very humiliating "interview" at the DSS zero.
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Hitman
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 8,
Visits: 69
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+xThere is non as thats the help I got after a very humiliating "interview" at the DSS zero. ah  Thankfully (although I think it was more to do with him being briefed by my support worker here) I didn't have a negative experience at the DSS
Nemo Sine Vitio Est
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