The Mount has quite a bit of grass and several well stocked flower beds in the wing's exercise yard. They are well maintained at the moment ... but then prison has three lifer family days coming up.
The suggestion is that some of what the management terms inappropriate behaviour has occurred on family days gone by. What suspicious minds our minders have.
I have been allocated a place for the August lifer day. I've asked brother Alec and his family to come.
We get the option of cooking a meal for ourselves and family, or eating from a buffet supplied by the prison. I'm opting for the buffet for two reasons. If I cook, it will take up about an hour and a half of hours of the visit time.
The buffet supplied on the first family day was plentiful and tasty. Of course, the prison asks for a donation of £10, which considering the quality and amount is not too bad.
However, it is nearly a week's wages but heigh-ho ...
Visitors will also be allowed to look into the cells. The only condition is that prisoners are not allowed to be in the cell at the same time.
The suggestion is that some of what the management terms inappropriate behaviour has occurred on family days gone by. What suspicious minds our minders have.
A couple of cigars
Anyway, none of that for me. I've ordered a couple of cigars from the canteen to enjoy with Alec instead.
Not long after my parole knock-back, I was able to enjoy an internal probation interview for another OAS. When I asked lovely lady why outside probation changed my risk level to medium from low, I receieved soething of a slap in the face.
Because, she said, I should never have been considered low in the first place! Obviously someone around here doesn't read the judge's report.
She said she kept her risk assessment at Medium.
She had more news for me. I must complete 2 two courses that they run here - justice awareness and anger management.
You'll remember that there is a problem in here if you have the cheek to deny a crime you have always denied. And I, reckless fellow, have always denied killing my wife, and I deny it for a pretty good reason. I didn't do it.
Fortunately, these courses don't require me to discuss the crime I didn't do, so that has made me eligible.
Something in me makes me smile at the titles of the courses. After all these years of imprisonment for a crime I didn't do, if I am not aware of 'justice', then I am aware of nothing.
And if I have tolerated this appalling injustice withouth being continually on the boil, then it might well appear that few are better at managing anger that your correspondent.
They know best
And my behavioural record should show my guardians that to include me in it is a waste of money but - fortunately- I have learned that they know best. They are the professionals, after all.
Oh, there is a positive side to having my risk assessment changed. If it had stayed at low, I coul dnever show any improvement. Now it is up a bit, my normal behaviour means it must be lowered and that will seem like an improvement.
Of work, the library job remains very dull. However, the head librarian has started to give me some jobs with more responsibility - a hint of resonsibility - and that does break the monotony.
Twice a week now, I give new prisoners a presentation about the function of the library and what it offers, and that brings some satisfaction.
The group NACRO has taken over resettlement. Eighty new prisoners arrived last month so that means 80 left. So you can seee that resettlement is an important thing.
I have asked to be join them so that I get involved with resettlement programme. I've made it clear that I don't want to be just the tea boy but want to be hands-on with the process. I feel this is somewhere that I could be good for the system.
I suspect my involvement will depend on how much they trust me. I have a faultless record here with trust, so I have my fingers crossed that I will be allowed to get involved in this challenging work.
My knock-back stress
I had to return to Metaformin tablets when my blood sugar level crept up too high again. The medics think it could be caused by stress through the knock back over parole.
At least my weight is not too bad now. I am below 13 stone now and that brings a joy. When people ask my weight, I can say, 'Oh, 12 stones something.' That sound so much better - even substantially lighter - than having to admit that it's 'Over 13 stone.'
PS: Have you noted my new prison number? It was HP8675, but now it's A2901AL. Sounds very IT and modern now.
Read my story ....
Monday, 26 July 2010
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