Understanding the journey from the justice system to prison can be overwhelming, but we’re here to clarify each step of the way.
Post-Sentence and Pre-Arrival
The journey from court to prison begins after sentencing. The court provides documentation with key information such as the prisoner’s details, sentence length, and any necessary medical requirements. Depending on the requirements, the prisoner may go to a local prison first.
Transportation and Reception
After sentencing, the prisoner is securely transported to the appropriate prison by a private contractor. Upon arrival, the Reception team conducts a series of checks and assessments to ascertain the prisoner’s wellbeing and safety needs. This includes the confirmation of identity, and risk assessment.
First Night in Prison
The initial night can be daunting for new prisoners. They are often housed in a special ‘first night’ wing to help them adjust to prison life. Here, they receive a full induction which informs them of their rights, expected behaviour, and the various support services they can avail of.
Induction
All new prisoners undergo an induction where they receive vital information about their rights, rules, available facilities, support available, and prison procedures. Through this, the prisoner gets a detailed understanding of life behind bars.
Assessments
The prison performs various other assessments to address the needs of the prisoner. This includes medical health assessment, a mental health screening, and an education assessment. All this data helps in creating a personalized plan for the prisoner.
Assignment and Allocation
Post-induction, prisoners are assigned to a suitable wing in the prison, and a job or an educational programme is allocated based on their skills, needs and risks.
Risk Management and Sentence Plan
A Sentence Plan is put together which outlines behavioural targets and plans for the prisoner’s progression throughout their sentence. Regular reviews ensure these plans stay relevant and updated.
Resettlement
Ahead of release, prisoners receive help and advice regarding resettlement. From housing and employment to support systems and rehab, everything is considered to help reintegrate them back into society successfully.
Understanding this sequence from court to prison helps in grasping the processes of the UK’s prison system. The overall aim is rehabilitation, with services designed to support prisoners throughout their journey, starting from the moment of sentencing, right up to their release.
Knowledge is power and understanding these processes can help everyone involved in the process, whether it be the individual serving the sentence, their families, the lawyers or society as a whole.
Please note that each individual’s journey can vary based on several factors, including the nature of their sentence and their specific needs. We hope that this information provides a helpful overview of the process.
