Official Prison Visitors

**Russ** · 13-08-2005, 02:00

Anyone ever have any experience of them? They are the people who get assigned to a prisoner who may not ever get a visitor for whatever reason. The website is http://www.naopv.com/ and I really feel drawn to them and may give them a go as a volunteer.

marky · 13-08-2005, 02:08

just looked and i couldnt do it

but if you could then some young person may feel like they have a friend and would not kill themselves

**Maggy J** · 13-08-2005, 02:21

I've had colleagues who have done this.They found it very rewarding at times.I do think it would be best to talk to an actual prison visitor to get some idea of what to expect.Do remember however not to get too partisan on the prisoner's behalf.Some detachment is necessary and it's not a job do do if you are the sort to wear their heart on their sleeve.

punky · 13-08-2005, 11:47

I have some experience, although informally. I haven't ever visited anyone in prison, but I have wrote to them. I have friends who have done porridge, only in the US though, and so I know you can't underestimate how important a scheme like this is to people. They have done wrong, but they are still people. Life inside isn't always as easy as some people make out and it is very emotionally punishing. People inside LIVE for contact with the outside world, and one letter every couple of weeks can make such a difference. Only 30 mins mins for you to write a letter but almost invaluable to the other person. It is easily the high point of the week. I did it informally because one of my friends who got sent down mentioned there was someone inside who he got along with who doesn't get much contact and would I write to him? I said of course, and it went from there. In the end I was writing to 3 friends of friends intermittently.

Some points to note. You have to be able to leave your judgements and moral exceptions at the door. I realised that when my friend gave my address to an arsonist (who I think tried to kill someone). You really have to be able to ignore people's history if you want to do it properly, and it is easier said than done. Another downside for the heavily liberal amongst us. all communication back and forth is strictly monitored and controlled. So everything you say will be scrutinised by 2 people before it gets to your friend.

It isn't for everyone, but it can make a world of difference to some.

Graham · 13-08-2005, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

You have to be able to leave your judgements and moral exceptions at the door. [...] You really have to be able to ignore people's history if you want to do it properly, and it is easier said than done. Another downside for the heavily liberal amongst us.

"Another downside"?

I wouldn't have said the first part was a downside for the "heavily liberals" amongst us...!!!

PS Sorry, I know this was a bit off-topic, but...!

punky · 13-08-2005, 15:20

It isn't off-topic, but I don't know about you but there are some criminals i'd rather not talk/be friendly with, particularly unrepentant ones. Also, if someone was a junkie who burgled homes to feed his habit, then OK, but trying to kill someone is a different matter entirely.

I try not to judge people and take them as I find them, but it can be harder than normal in these circumstance. The first downside wasn't aimed at just heavily liberal people, but everyone. The second point, with the Big Brother overtones, and the fact they can censor your letter at will restricting your free speech, is something I think passionate liberals would take exception to.

Graham · 13-08-2005, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

It isn't off-topic, but I don't know about you but there are some criminals i'd rather not talk/be friendly with, particularly unrepentant ones. Also, if someone was a junkie who burgled homes to feed his habit, then OK, but trying to kill someone is a different matter entirely.

I try not to judge people and take them as I find them, but it can be harder than normal in these circumstance.

But you're being judgemental (and prejudicial) here because you don't know *anything* about these people!!

What about all those people who have had their lives (and homes) turned upside down and been made to feel unsafe in their own houses by that junkie?

What if that person who tried to kill someone was a battered wife but who didn't get leniency from the court?

Without talking to them, you're never going to get their side of the story or know whether they're "unrepentant" or not.

Quote:

the second point, with the Big Brother overtones, and the fact they can censor your letter at will restricting your free speech, is something I think passionate liberals would take exception to.

Alas, once again it seems you misunderstand our (well, at least "my") point of view.

As I keep saying, you're free to say whatever you want *PROVIDED* it doesn't negatively affect someone else.

Now if you write from your prison cell "It was Harry the Horse what grassed me up, give him a good kicking for me" or you write to a prisoner "be in the yard by the south wall at 10:30am during the exercise period because we're busting you out!" I can see that these *WOULD* have a "negative effect"!!

**Maggy J** · 13-08-2005, 15:58

Oh for God's sake give it a rest you two...Let's not hijack another thread that has nothing to do with your running battle.

punky · 13-08-2005, 15:59

There is nothing I can say you won't take exception to is there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

But you're being judgemental (and prejudicial) here because you don't know *anything* about these people!!

I said I try to, I didn't say I was impeccible at it. Noone's perfect at anything. I didn't judge this person, and further more I continued to talk to him because he was fairly reasonable and repentant. This isn't necessarily what I do or don't do, this is about warning other people thinking of getting into this about what they may or may not have to. I didn't nescessarily walk into this to benefit mankind, I started it as a favour to a friend and found it rewarding.

Quote:

What about all those people who have had their lives (and homes) turned upside down and been made to feel unsafe in their own houses by that junkie?

What the hell, you're beginning to sound like me. I don't hold any ill will against criminals (I have said I am friends with them), I only ask that they pay for their mistakes. That isn't unreasonable.

Quote:

What if that person who tried to kill someone was a battered wife but who didn't get leniency from the court?

That is still attempted murder. I didn't say I wouldn't talk to any attempted murderers (I have always been vocal about homeowners rights in protecting their families, so I could, in my best thoughts end up under that charge too). I said it was "a different matter entirely" It would come down to the person, why they did it, and wether they were repentant or not.

Quote:

Without talking to them, you're never going to get their side of the story or know whether they're "unrepentant" or not.

Which is why I was warning people. You may start conversing with someone who you would rather not to. That is why I said you have to be willing to leave your judgements at the door. There is no crime out there which is social acceptable (possible exceptions like protesting, etc)

Quote:

As I keep saying, you're free to say whatever you want *PROVIDED* it doesn't negatively affect someone else.

Now if you write from your prison cell "It was Harry the Horse what grassed me up, give him a good kicking for me" or you write to a prisoner "be in the yard by the south wall at 10:30am during the exercise period because we're busting you out!" I can see that these *WOULD* have a "negative effect"!!

It isn't all like that. I said nothing of that sort in my letters but they still ended up censored. I can't remember now what I said. But the guidelines, well for the US, not sure about the UK but things tend to be similiar don't always end at facilitating further crimes.
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

Oh for God's sake give it a rest you two...Let's not hijack another thread that has nothing to do with your running battle.

But he started it miss!

**Russ** · 13-08-2005, 16:03

This isn't a thread on whether or not someone deserves a visitor - in my opinion many prisoners do, that is why I'm following this up.

**Maggy J** · 13-08-2005, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

This isn't a thread on whether or not someone deserves a visitor - in my opinion many prisoners do, that is why I'm following this up.

Well done to you for considering it Russ.However it is something that you must make a commitment to for some time so I think asking if they can direct you to someone who has or is doing it would be a good idea.

Graham · 13-08-2005, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

There is nothing I can say you won't take exception to is there?

The hell with this.

I'm out of here.

Jules · 13-08-2005, 19:32

I admire you Russ it is not some thing I could do as I would get too attached and involved

grandmaster · 13-08-2005, 20:38

its bloody difficult seeing someone in prison.
And take it from me i know.

Just getting in to Strangeways is an ordeal in itsself.

I got turned down 3 times because the sniffer dog and his handler said i had been in contact with drugs.

i argues my case saying that i dont even smoke let alone do drugs. but that fell on deaf ears........

When you do get in its awful your sat in a big room with 30 or so other inmates and familys and trying to hold any sort of conversation is hard.

I HATED IT

if you think you can help an inmate then i'm all for it but it is difficult

Ryan

Richard M · 13-08-2005, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Anyone ever have any experience of them? They are the people who get assigned to a prisoner who may not ever get a visitor for whatever reason. The website is http://www.naopv.com/ and I really feel drawn to them and may give them a go as a volunteer.

That's a great idea Russ.