Falsely accused husband

[Ma'at]

I have been absolutely terrified at the thought of my husband going to prison, not for me (although it would break my heart) but for him to suffer the indignity. this has been helpful as it doesnt mention those accused of child abuse being used at punch bags for the rest of the inmates.
How can you know what sort of sentence you are likely to get?
My husband is not the type to take any nonsense and I would worrry that would make him a target - he will be pleading not guilty and would find it difficult to know that he is 'living' with men who had abused.
I know he wouldnt undertake the courses as he IS not guilty so would that mean he would be reducing his chances of a reduced sentence?
Our solicitor told me to stop jumping ahead when i asked about sentencing and whilst i can understand his point (staying positive and all that) I am a 'need to know' person. The unknown worries!

if anyone can help with my questions I would greatly appreciate it.
Ma'at

[LS]

There is little difference between someone accused of a sexual offence, and someone accused of child abuse. Both are equally hated by the "normal" prisoners in their misguided logic. They can scam widows out of their nest egg, but think they're god's gift against someone who is maintaining their innocence of a sexual offence.

It is an indignity, but the prison service have a duty of care and a responsibility to keep vulnerable prisoners separated from the general prison population. This is why there are dedicated Vulnerable Prison Units in most prisons, and someone accused of a sexual offence or a child offence should be alarmed if they are not placed in VPU.

I would suggest he loses the attitude of "living with those who have abused" because, as far as the world is concerned, once convicted he is no different. You bite tongue, and live and let live. You need as peaceful a time in there as possible.

Trouble comes looking, no point going searching for it...

[Ma'at]

Thanks LS

you will have to forgive me as I have never had any dealings with such trauma as this before and I need to learn the correct terminology, needs must and all that!

i cannot really speak for my other half (he would probably say I have a good go lol) but if it was me, I would find it abhorant to live with those who have done wrong but then perhaps i am making the assumption of 'there is no smoke without fire' although I cant believe all inmates are falsely accused, that is what I was trying to say, I didnt intend it to come across that he would have 'an attitude' but cant get my head around living, (if thats what you could call it) would be acceptable with those criminals, although, i do see that once in that position you have no choice and thats where all the good advice comes in!
This is a learning process I never dreamt i would be undertaking.

[Rights Fighter]

Ma'at

Did you get my email?

[Ma'at]

Hi Rightsfighter
no I didnt, the system is saying I dont have permission when I go into the inbox?

[Rights Fighter]

I sent an email not a PM so it should have arrived into your email programme. Check your junk folder - in the meantime I'll try again.

[Saffron]

Hi Ma'at and welcome

I have moved your posts to a new thread so that more members can see it and respond.

I know exactly where you are coming from because my Husband was in exactly the same situation. He went to prison for 6 months for a crime he didn't commit (sorry if that sounds a bit "A-Team" and dramatic!). When he arrived at Her Majesty's Hotel he was asked if he wanted to be classed as a Vulnerable Prisoner, and he said Yes.

He lived with some of the scum of this earth while he was there. He also lived with some perfectly decent people. Prisoners go "On the Rule" for all sorts of reasons, not just sexual/paedophilia offences. Sometimes they are there because they are, or are related to a judge/police officer/social worker. Sometimes they are there because they have got into "debt" on the Main Wing - borrowed money/tobacco/phone credit and can't pay it back. And sometimes they are there simply because they are too fragile mentally or physically to cope with life on The Main. Not everyone in the VPU is a sex offender or paedophile.

Basically though, my husband never put photos of our son up on the wall in his cell (he was worried that some of the Scum might "use" them, if you know what I mean) he never borrowed or lent anything; he was always polite and he always walked away from confrontation. He got through 6 months. Every day I thank the powers that be that he didn't have to serve any longer. It's not easy but it can be survived.

As for you - what stage is your husband's case at? I applaud you wanting to know an "all-case" scenario, but you might find your energies are better focussed on fighting this while you can. Once convicted it is exceptionally difficult to even get leave to appeal, much less for that appeal to be successful. Most "normal" people think that an appeal is an automatice right, but this is not the case. You cannot appeal simply because you think the jury got it wrong. there have to be substantial grounds, such as new evidence (which was not available at the original trial) or that the trial was manifestly unfair, the judge gave misdirections, etc.

Chin up. You are not alone.