Alrighty.

 

At 2.20pm on New Years eve I was bust by the cops for selling and being in possession of Marijuana   I had 13 tinnies and a very small handful of personal smoke.

 

Probation report and my lawyer and all concerned were sure I would get community service as I have no other charges ever in my million years here on earth.

 

The Judge in her infinite wisdom saw it differently and deposited me into Auck Womens Prison, the new one in Manukau.

 

I got 8 months for the selling and 6 months for possession.  Cos it was under 2 years I would only hae to serve half, 4 months.  She also gave me the OK to apply for home detention, which I aquired after 5 weeks inside.  I am doing 3 months at our house in Hamilton.

 

I have lost 20 kilos since 1/1/08.  When she sentenced me I went into shock, being unable to eat for about 7 days, I spent the first 4 days crying and sleeping. 

 

Wipe out any thoughts of prison being easy peasy .. it isnt.  Some find it relatively easy, though most want out immediately.

 

Prison pop was 35% maori, 55% polynesian, there was 1 muslim, a few chinese (who are mostly on drug importing - they do their fulll sentence and are taken straight to a plane and sent home) the rest are pakeha.

 

Many there are on drink driving and P charges, about 3 in the low security (which was where I was eventually) for MJ charges.  Some for bene fraud, some lifers (mostly murder) one was a 28 yr old who was readying herself for parole after axing her mothers head off when she was 14.  The 16 yr old child who was partly responsible for Nia Glassie was in remand (others involved in the male prison).  Oldest woman I met was 74, just finishing 4 yrs, her husband got 8 yrs, he was tampering with their daughters, she knew but did nothing.

 

Medical is a serious issue within the system, most having to wait over a week for any form of medication, there was a death while I was there, a woman I knew, there is still much consternation as to how and why she passed away.  She was found in the morning, having died in her sleep.

 

My head rolls with so much that happened, and so much that I experienced in the short time of 5 weeks.  Probation have a lot to answer to, in my situation.  My officer has so far lied to me twice and stated to the courts that I was not suitable for HD.  Without even having laid eyes on as much as a photo of me.

 

Ask what you want to ask.  We were allowed a TV and radio, though it was checked for drugs (which we had to pay for) NO videos, NO DVDs, NO porn!!!

In fact it took almost a week to get clothing brought in by friends or family, several days for phone cards.  For me, I had a son in Aucks, who was available to bring me what I needed, he was a rock to me.

 

Yes, I am still carrying some of the shit they pass you, by way of thoughts, access to stuff etc.

 

I began my time in the *at risk* unit, because of my shock on sentencing, and my age and they didnt think I would cope with 30-60 women wanting to know why and what I was in for. 14 days in there, staples removed from magazines in case I wanted to do away with myself, plastic knives and forks, no lighter (screws lit your smoke) toilet (with NO lid) about 2 feet from where they expected you to eat in your cell.  Everything stainless steel, smoothed rounded edges.  Mattress and pillow about 2 inches thick and vinyl, bedding was strange sewn up stuff. Cell searched every day.

 

Then after 14 days I went to *assessment* for 7 days.  Smoking in your cell or outside, but u only got outside for an hour a day, if the screws could get off the computer from their Bebo sites. (I kid you not)  I was assessed as being AA Low security No risk.

 

So i was sent to Low security.  Carpetted cell with floor heating, my own key to my room, though when you were locked down you couldnt get out.

 

Throughout, woken at 8am for breakfast, locked down again for an hour at 12pm, dinner at 3.30pm (in some areas its supplied, cooked and warm, in LowSec we cooked - well I took over the cooking  Then locked down at 4.30 until 8am the next morning.

 

Life is great now Im here

 

Thanks to all who emailed looking for me, who rang concerned and who called to see us.

 

Any questions??