When you first arrive - Prison Reform Trust

When you first arriveThis is what will happen when you first arrive in prison You will be taken to the reception area of the prison. Tell staff if you have been taking drugs or alcohol and need help with this. Prison staff will sort out with you what clothes to wear. You may have to wearprison clothes if you are a convicted prisoner. A member of prison staff will make a list of everything you brought with you. Youmay be able to keep some things. Everything else will be kept in a safe place foryou. You will get back everything when you leave, apart from anything dangerousor against the law. For example, knives or drugs. A member of prison staff will search you. You can ask to see a doctor if you havea medical problem which means it is difficult for you to have a full body search. You can ask to see a doctor or nurse if you have a health problem. Tell the doctoror nurse if you are taking any medicine, or if you have a problem with drugs oralcohol. Also tell them if you feel very upset or worried about things. You will be allowed to phone your family. You will also be told how to arrange forthem to visit you. You will be given a prison number. You will be taken to the cell you will sleep in. You can have a bath or shower if you want one. You will meet other staff. You may have an interview with someone called apersonal officer. Staff may take your fingerprints and your photograph. Staff will tell you more about prison life and what you need to do. This is called aninduction.5

More informationWhere you will sleep (your cell)• You may have to share a cell with someone else. If so, prison staff will think aboutwho would be the best person for you to share with. You can tell them if you haveany problems with this. You will not be asked to share with someone whosmokes if you don’t. Tell staff if you are concerned or feel unsafe.• Some prisons have a special area where prisoners sleep for the first night so theycan get used to being in prison.What to do if…You feel very upset or worried when you get to prisonIt is important to talk to someone if you feel like this.You can tell prison staff. You may have someone called a personal officer. Or you can talk to theofficer in charge of your area of the prison (this is called the wing or landing) the doctor or nurse who gave you a health check the chaplain a prisoner called a listener or buddy the Samaritans.You are worried about children or other people you look after• Talk to any of the people in the list above.You need to see a solicitor – if you have not had a chance to before you left court• Ask the prison officer on reception to help you arrange a visit from your solicitor.6