Remand. Difficult times. Difficult times!!! Being on remand, in my opinion, is one of the most trying and testing parts of being in jail. You’ve been denied bail, the life you were living on the outside has just slipped through your fingers and everything feels like it has gone. Well, at least for you, it has. It’s a time when you are going to be on your own. Even if you have co-d’s (co-defendants) at some point you are going to be alone and that can test anyone’s mental health. Some can’t handle it and reach breaking point before it’s really started.

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Depending on your life prior to being put on remand, you will probably be anxious about how this part of your life will turn out in the next few months. You will be thinking about your women, kids, family and friends, plus any business matters you have left but, most importantly, you should be thinking about your court case, and is your legal team good enough to defend you? On top of all that you have to wake up in the morning and get used to your new surroundings quickly. The sounds, the screws, the food, men, don’t worry too much, it’s been done a million times before you, and will be done a million times after you. It can be done!

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One thing I used to think to myself is “I’m not settling in here” or “I’m not getting too comfy here cos I’m not looking to stay.” Those are natural thoughts to have if you love and miss your lifestyle. To be honest the best thing you can do is to settle in and get used to your surroundings. Phone your family and let them know that you are ok, try not to over think about your situation, MAN UP, seriously MAN UP.

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When you speak to your partner, your children or your parents all they want to know is that you are alright.

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Get the information from the officers on how to arrange a social visit for your loved ones and take it from there.

It’s important not to stress out too much, or for too long. It’s unhealthy. You must remember that you are going to be fighting a court case, which can be a tricky and difficult thing to do. Even if you are not going to fight the case and go (plead) guilty, going to court can be quite intense. You are going to be speaking with your legal team a number of times, go through a lot of legal documents, which is also tricky and difficult, then eventually you’ll have to go to court. Going to court means being woken up at 5am maybe earlier to go to reception and be placed in a holding cell with a number of prisoners who are in a similar situation. You will then be put in a sweat box (secure vehicle) to get to court which will be very tiring, only to more than likely come back to do the remand thing all over again until your trial or sentencing date.

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Be strong and be prepared.

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My advice would be to speak with prisoners on your section, ask them how things work, there will be one or two that have done it all before. Some will look big, mean, hard and angry, others will look small, and timid, scared and scruffy. Do not judge a book by its cover. I’ve learned that everyone knows something about something and can help in some way.

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There is a balance you’ll need to find because it’s important to keep yourself guarded and protected. Mingle (mix) with your peers but use your brain to work out who’s who.

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Don’t borrow anything from anyone. Get some money sent into your prison account (bank transfer, it’s easy), if you had some cash on you when you got arrested then you should be able to spend that (unless it’s been taken for evidence). If you don’t have any money then you are just going to have to go without for a while. It’s harsh but you will live. Get yourself to the library for some books to read, and try to get yourself to the gymnasium if (I will get into the gym side of things later).

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Read your case papers and ride your time bruv!

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From Inside Time.