The joy of living in my ‘tin cabin’ cell

Entering prison is a daunting experience. All traces of your life outside are taken away – your clothing, possessions, ability to contact friends, etcetera. The biggest loss I’ve experienced is the loss of self-esteem, good name, and freedom of movement. As a non-vaper I had the constant stench of vapes in the back of my throat. The air is polluted with vapes. Even the food has the taste of vapes. Fresh air was one hour a day. As time went on, I gradually became immune to it all.

After two or more years of this, a wonderful thing happened. One Friday morning an officer came to my door and said “Pack your bags, you are moving to Block 8 on Monday.” I dutifully packed my few possessions to go to what I’d heard was a new building in the prison. Monday came; I was taken with my possessions off Houseblock 7 to the new Houseblock 8. 

I did not know what to expect. I had heard many tales about this houseblock. One small fact can be mentioned in the morning on the tom-toms, and by dinner time that one small fact is often developed into one big, distorted untruth, with many layers of fabrication added. 

As I approached the new block, I saw what looked like a solar panel farm. Pipes and all sorts of gadgets, no sign of living quarters.

As we entered the complex, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I saw two rows of what looked like Portakabins. At first I thought this was some kind of an office block for the prison. But no, it was Houseblock 8. Two neat rows of tin cabins with a front door. And to the right of the door a window. “You are in 13,” I was told. I opened the door and could not believe my eyes. Imagine the inside of a Portakabin. About one-third of the way down is a wall and a door. Through the door is a wet room. I am wheelchair-bound, so this was a dream for me. In the remaining two-thirds was the usual bed, desk and cupboard and a beautiful armchair, next to a proper window which could be opened.

My cell door opened directly into the fresh air, no landing as it is a portable building. There was no central heating system or water pipes. What I thought looked like a solar panel farm was the pipework built outside the cabins for the electrics, water pipes and sewer connections. Inside each cabin was an individual electric heating unit with controls for the prisoner to operate. The cell was new, clean and bright, opening up to the fresh air. 

I cried with joy that night, as I settled down to go to sleep under my new duvet. I could go on all day about how good it is, but I just want to single out a few things which I call freedoms.

Freedom 1

I open my door each morning to a great beauty. I can see the sky, which offers a never-ending dramatic moving picture. I’ve seen blue sky, black clouds, grey clouds, white clouds. The sky is a spectacular sight, ever-changing. We spend lots of our time looking straight ahead. Look up sometimes, and see the miracle and beauty of the changing sky. A wonderful taste of freedom easily missed.

Freedom 2

I open my door some mornings to rain. Living inside for a long time, it is easy to get a narrow view of rain. It can be quite depressing. On Block 8, I made a new discovery: the beauty of the rain. Yes, it’s amazing. I experienced rain for the first time in a long time on Block 8. I went out into the rain. It is cool and refreshing. Rain has a scent which is easily missed. In normal times at home, we build up real negative pictures of rain. Now I can open my door and enjoy the freshness and coolness of the rain. I can do this because I have the freedom here to experience it in a different way; because we have time here to stop and appreciate it.

Freedom 3

Another beautiful gift at my door is the sun. The light it brings to me and my surroundings, forming patterns on the wall. Its warmth restores my sense of well-being. Its gentle touch brings healing and renewal in my body and mind. No more pasty looks, prison pallor. The sun lifts my mood and brings life and colour back to me.

Freedom 4

Another great benefit on Houseblock 8 is the silence. I can hear the air and feel the stillness and peace these things bring. On a normal houseblock, the cathedral-like heights cause loud echoes. There is no silence and often the level of noise is horrendous. Two people could be sitting next to each other talking, but they have their volumes turned up and shout to each other. There is no silence in most houseblocks. I have rediscovered the beauty of silence on Block 8. Stillness and peace are a great freedom to experience.

Freedom 5

To more mundane matters. Cleanliness and personal hygiene are often difficult to maintain in prison. Wet washing, broken showers, and no hot water are often the norm on the houseblock. Here on Block 8 we do our own washing and cleaning, we have our own shower, and I value the freedom I have to keep it clean.

Freedom 6

We get the same food that is served on the houseblock. Sometimes on the houseblock, the food is served in a haphazard way. A big heap of uninviting slop. Here, the servery workers served the food respectfully in an unhurried manner. Somehow that makes the food taste better. Also, any remaining food is made available to the prisoners and not whisked away by unscrupulous hot plate boys for their own benefit.

I have highlighted six freedoms which can be experienced on Block 8. The best freedom is that the officers show respect. No yelling and shouting. First name terms. Instructions given quietly and respectfully. This may not sound much, but to a broken man it means the world and does wonders for my self-worth.

Yes, Houseblock 8 has many shortfalls. Yes, a few issues need addressing – day-to-day problems which are inevitable in any group. But small independent units are better than large hordes of prisoners. It teaches respect for each other and the ability to learn to live with each other and each other’s differences.

The Block 8 experience is a blueprint for better prisons, and should be rolled out across the whole prison estate. It is rehabilitation at its best.

Editorial note –Rapid Deployment Cells (RDCs) are being installed at prisons across England and Wales as HM Prison and Probation Service seeks ways to increase capacity. RDCs are modular buildings, each one forming a self-contained living unit as Mr D’asti describes. Last year Holme House had 21 RDCs installed. Research by the Ministry of Justice has found that they are popular with prisoners – and Mr D is clearly a fan!