FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Need perspective on jail

Dec2023
Community Member

I’m facing jail time, likely years. I’m innocent, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to prove I am. I have a family who I support, but if I go to jail it will destroy their lives. They will suffer as much as me. Has anyone else been through this? How did you cope in jail? What was life like afterwards? How did you pick up the pieces? Did your kids forgive you?

3 Replies 3

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi, welcome

 

It's been 45 years since I was in jail, as a prison officer not an inmate.

 

Like truck drivers, inmates and prison officers (now called corrections) there are good and bad. In my era in the 70's it wasnt a good place to work. Nowadays things have improved a lot.

 

In life we can only do what our best can provide and we make mistakes, that alone proves you are human, so if you are jailed that will not be the first time someone is jailed and are innocent. There must be a small percentage that are innocent say 5%. Jail is an imperfect system of punishment, but there is no sound workable alternative- yet.

 

Children are resilient, they will learn to adapt. Your partner will need to have a appointment with Government services to see what she is entitled to. Express your remorse, do the time and pledge you'll never return and you'll be ok. 70% of all prisoners return to jail.

 

I believe your biggest threat is to be influenced by other prisoners that are not innocent and frankly are bad people. Survive in there doing what you have to do, less talk more listening. Under some circumstances you'll be moved to a minimum or medium security jail in the country where it will be easy time. 

 

Upon release, wipe away your memories there and begin a new life. You'll be ok and it is refreshing reading about you caring about your family.

 

Best of luck. TonyWK

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Dec2023~

As an ex-policeman I don't have much more to say as TonyW/K has already said it all and there is no reason to repeat everything.. It is one of the problems of the legal system that often the families suffer, which is so unfair. 

 

Tony is also right the system is not always correct, and also that the biggest danger is the other inmates and frankly you have to do what you can. When you are released remaining in contact only makes things harder, you really have to start again away from that  culture.

 

There is life afterwards and if you have help may be placed in employment, which is the  bit hurdle at that stage.

 

If you are worried about your kids forgiving you then to me that suggest you have love for them and a good relationship, and that makes their forgiveness so much more likely.

 

God luck,

 

Croix

Dec2023
Community Member

Thank you for your replies