Okay, my first scene is going to be one of the main characters being released from prison/just after he was released from prison. But I have no idea what actually happens when a person is released from prison! Do they just give you your belongings and then you leave? Is there paperwork that you need to fill out? Do you make your own way home? That last one seems like a ridiculous question but I have absolutely no idea and I've not been able to find anything useful.
The story is set in modern day England and he's been inside for about six months - I don't know if that makes a difference.
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2006: Of Lost Causes - failed miserably.
2007: Those Who Wait
One snarky ex-con, one stressed university student, one psychotic teacher and two generic best friends. If I'm really lucky, there might even be a plot!
61,353 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2007 - 03 17
I don't think it has the specific answer to your question but the Prison Service website has lots of useful info which you might find helpful...
http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/
4,144 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2007 - 04 14
Yes, I needed to know about this subject too. Thanks okaysparky for opening the topic, and you too, Marzipan, for the site -- it's very useful. The following page, in particular, is relevant.
http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/adviceandsupport/beforeafterrelease/re...
The links below are useful too.
http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/offender/walkthrough/leaving_prison/index.ht...
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/the-rights-of-prisoner...
And the following page has some pdf files that you can download. They include leaflets that the crime reduction charity NACRO supplies to prisoners and their families, with advice about how the prisoner can get back on his feet.
http://www.nacro.org.uk/publications/adviceleaflets.htm
It would be helpful if anyone else can supply more information or links about life in a British prison, or the discharge process.
9,046 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2007 - 09 22
Thanks to you both! I've been poking around the prison service website for a few days and have found lots of other useful information. I hadn't seen the other websites though; lots of useful information about release there.
Thanks again!
Gallienus, I hope you find what you're looking for. I'll let you know if I find anything else that might be useful.
----------2006: Of Lost Causes - failed miserably.
2007: Those Who Wait
One snarky ex-con, one stressed university student, one psychotic teacher and two generic best friends. If I'm really lucky, there might even be a plot!
9,046 / 50,000
oct. 3, 2007 - 09 45
Thanks for the links! I've just found this PDF - it has a lot of the same information as in the links you gave me, but it might be useful anyway:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/p_leaving_prison.pdf
----------2006: Of Lost Causes - failed miserably.
2007: Those Who Wait
One snarky ex-con, one stressed university student, one psychotic teacher and two generic best friends. If I'm really lucky, there might even be a plot!
4,144 / 50,000
oct. 4, 2007 - 02 11
Thanks for that, I've just downloaded it.