In preparation for the trial, the possibility of a guilty verdict and your loved one being immediately taken in custody you should prepare what is known as “The nasty bag”. This will be a collection of items and clothing which, if permitted, will remain with your loved one throughout the duration of his time in prison. There are opportunities to buy other items from catalogues once inside and some prisons have shops which sell property which they can buy, but not all of them. When packing this bag be mindful of not filling it with expensive jeans, trainers, t-shirts, and jewellery. These may find the newbie targeted by thieves or draw unwanted attention to themselves.

They will not be allowed to take in most electrical items. No products which contain alcohol are permitted (for obvious reasons) and anything which is taken in by way of toiletries will only be allowed if it is in the original packaging and unused. But do not expect to receive them as most likely they will either be refused or held in storage until their release. Exactly what personal property a prisoner can be permitted to retain in his or her possession inside the prison is regulated by what is now called the National Facilities List. It appears as an annex to the revised Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) system contained in Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 30/2013 which came into operation on 1 November 2013.

Property can take up to 2 weeks (I’ve heard of longer) to be returned to the inmate. I have also known for them to never receive their clothing at all due to it having been lost. During this time, they will wear prison issue clothing, in some prisons an inmate must wait until he has received his enhanced status to be given his own clothes to wear. No one benefits from not having taken a bag to the court, just in case. Not all prisons allow inmates to wear their own clothes ever, some allow this once the inmate has reached an enhanced level after a period of time in which they earn this privilege. Below are suggestions for the contents:

Plain T-shirts

Plain underwear

Socks

Trainers (no more than 3 pairs are allowed)

Jumpers – not hoodies and nothing which could make you them like a prison officer will be permitted. Even if it is the height of summer when they are taken, prison cells can get very cold come winter.

Writing paper, envelopes and a couple of stamps. Every prisoner is given the means to write one letter per week. In those first few weeks writing will help to pass the time. Small amount of cash. This will be added to their canteen sheet sooner than having money sent in via the prison payments system.

The phone number, addresses and dates of birth for anyone they may wish to contact. The prison will need to approve them before any contact can be made.

Photos. These may be restricted if they contain an image of them which is capable of being used to forge an ID badge. Also, some prisons do not allow photos of children. It is best to wait and see where they end up first and have them sent in after. Any medication which they may need, and an accompanying doctor’s note should find allowances for them to be taken straight to his cell.

A towel. Most HMP prisons don’t allow personal towels but if you sent to a private prison to be processed it forms part of the original kit and will be allowed should you move.

We all know that he isn’t aged 5 and starting primary school but at the very least put his initials on all the items being taken in. Whilst every prisoner is given a wash bag you would be surprised how many items go missing. You do not have to take the nasty bag with you every day, but I would advise that it is either held in the boot of your car or discreetly handed to a court usher on the last day to be passed on, should the worst happen. If you can, use your last months, weeks, and days to make happy memories, it is far easier said than done but these moments will become invaluable in assisting with your lower times throughout the duration of the prison sentence handed down, especially in the first few days, weeks, and months.

However, the most important items should be locked away, within themselves.

  • A sense of humour
  • A strong stomach
  • The knowledge that they are loved
  • Determination
  • Resilience
  • Integrity
  • Compassion
  • Inner strength
  • Decency and most important of all, hope!

These bits of kit are often the last things we think about but by far the most valuable assets that any prisoner can take in with them… spell and grammar check above