Lifers should get single cells
LC of HMP Styal writes:
Why is it that life-sentenced prisoners are not prioritised? We don’t get the luxury of getting to go home, or come and go like most prisoners do, yet prisoners who are only here for a short time (especially transgender prisoners) seem to get the red carpet rolled out for them. They qualify for a single cell, which should be for lifers or prisoners with mental issues only.
They walk into prison and claim that they are trans without actually being on testosterone or having had any surgery. It is always young kids who come through claiming to be trans, and I genuinely feel like it is becoming a fad. It seems like they have been given the heads-up to claim it to get a cushty life and a single cell.
As a lifer, I am outraged by this. I was kicked out of my single cell, which I had been in for a year. I was happy and settled in that cell after experiencing the horrific journey of being high-risk on the wing for 14 months. I was finally settled, my mental health was so much better, and my behaviour had massively improved.
I have the highest-paid job in the prison, I am Enhanced, and I am aiming for a transfer in order to do the TC (Therapeutic Community) course. Since they kicked me out of my room my mental health has gone downhill, and still I was told that I don’t have a leg to stand on. I have medical issues due to the prison not giving me manual handling training. My coccyx and bladder have dropped (prolapsed), resulting in me wetting myself.
Despite me actually having a medical issue and being told by a doctor that I have grounds, I was declined a medical single cell. Yet, someone who has no medical evidence of being transgender can qualify in the blink of an eye after a week of being in prison.
Enough is enough. This is, unfortunately, my home, and will be for a very long time, so I should be prioritised over short-term prisoners.
Absolutely agree with this, Lifers should be prioritised for single cells, no if’s or but’s, it should be mandatory where applicable.
Another comment trashed by Akismet 🙁
Maybe hope for one in Autumn, maybe keep this “preciousness of unconvincing trans,” within bounds, and continue to urge your case?
I’m sorry. I see that there will soon be a new grade of “even worse murder” available to the authorities, to retain some lifers beyond what the Parole Board thinks, – from which I deduce that murderers are especially not the flavour of the month.
I take your point about “unconvincing” trans inmates, being treated in a “precious” way. The authorities might say they are especially likely to get assaulted in an accompanied cell.
It might be that the Autumn “great throw out,” could make more single cells available. I can only humbly suggest that you remain cheerful and ingratiating.