Just visited a Detention Centre

[SexyGreyFox]

Well that was an interesting 2 hours.
I've just had a 2 hour tour around a Young Offenders Detention Centre with the hope of doing some voluntary work up there.
It was quite an eye opener seeing what the 'trainees' get up to and where our tax money is spent.
I was shown the computer room, loads of PC's but most of them broke and nobody to show them how to work one.
Can't say too much but it was quite an experience.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

So did you come out thinking that it was a soft touch, with kids getting free playstations, gym, McDonalds etc? or have you seen the reality that the tabloids fail to print that in actual fact prison *isn't* a nice place to be?

Its certainly changed since malc30's days.
Bullying does go on but everything little thing is documented and before the shift you see a list of bully's and self harmers etc.
I was shown a 'trainees room' and it is very basic. They can quickly earn a TV but it can easily be taken away. I didn't ask if they could earn SKY TV or or an XBOX.
I saw a room with some very old arcade machines in but was told they don't get used because all they want is XBOX or Playstation games.
They've got a fantastic gym and it just so happened to be run by an old mate of mine. There was a couple of 16 year olds in there that would have made some of the OCUK bodybuilders frown. Others were playing 5 a side in a large gym.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

That is a joke right? Im sure they have limited access to the net,

They have zero access to the net. I went into every classroom and only saw one 'trainee' using his teachers laptop.
I was also gobsmacked to find out that it is a totally no smoking zone.
Absolutely no one is allowed to smoke inside or outside which is one way to rub a nicotine addict up the wrong way.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

This Werrington you're on about?

What would the voluntary work involve dmpoole?

I don't know if its possible yet - more enquiries with other people.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Before i went to DC i only thought i was bad. When i got out i Knew i was bad & looked down on people who were straight as weak, untested & ripe for the picking.
Straight people have absolutely no idea what incarceration does to a man.

One old staff member made a point of telling me that 'it doesn't work'.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

I take it by "it doesn't work" he didn't mean in the 'keeping them out of society and commiting crimes' sort of way then?

Basically whatever they're teaching them in there doesn't work.
It obviously works for some.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

The whole story is a very long one & very boring, others seem to find it interesting

I'd love to hear it.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

What would the voluntary work involve dmpoole?

I had a phone call about 2 hours ago off a bloke who works there and he told me theres plenty I could do voluntary and he's arranging a meeting with him and his boss
Things are slowly looking up.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

II had to adjust and bring myself to watch countdown, antiques roadshow and bargain hunt

I bet that taught you a lesson.
Nice story and good luck for the future.