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What to take to sentencing hearing for prison
If you have been convicted and are awaiting sentence, what I would advise you to take with you to the sentencing hearing are as follows:
• Underwear/T-shirts/hankies/socks. Although prison supplies clothing, you really wouldn't want underwear others have worn so I would suggest 3 or 4 of these items. Be aware that black clothing is not allowed, so no one can impersonate prison staff. Baseball caps are sometimes permitted, again not in black. Be aware that some logos/motifs may be deemed unsuitable.
• Tobacco/cigarettes. If you smoke, it could be up to 6 days before you have access to smokes. They must be unopened. Disposable lighters are usually allowed.
• Money. It will go into your prison account on arrival and can be used for buying toiletries, nibbles, phone credit, cigarettes.
• Reading materiel, crosswords, puzzle books. Boredom is a killer, so make sure you've got things to read.
• Writing pad/envelopes/stamps/pens.
• Photos of wife/partner, but not the kids (may not be allowed “in possession”). Also do not display them in your cell, for safety issues and also bear in mind what some are in for.
• Comfortable pair of shoes.
• Hairbrush or comb.
• Small battery-powered radio and spare batteries.
Some prisons are paranoid about wristwatches with chronographs and timers. Best to wear a cheap analog watch, ideally waterproof.
Similarly, jewellery is usually limited to one ring. Some prison are more lax and allow chains etc, but whatever you're not allowed to have will stay in storage at the prison.
IMPORTANT
When you go into prison, whatever you came in with is generally what you will wear going out. Therefore, if you went into prison in the summer time do not presume that you’ll be released in the summer. Make sure you go into court with at least a jacket or light coat, so that if your sentence ends in the winter you won’t freeze.
• Underwear/T-shirts/hankies/socks. Although prison supplies clothing, you really wouldn't want underwear others have worn so I would suggest 3 or 4 of these items. Be aware that black clothing is not allowed, so no one can impersonate prison staff. Baseball caps are sometimes permitted, again not in black. Be aware that some logos/motifs may be deemed unsuitable.
• Tobacco/cigarettes. If you smoke, it could be up to 6 days before you have access to smokes. They must be unopened. Disposable lighters are usually allowed.
• Money. It will go into your prison account on arrival and can be used for buying toiletries, nibbles, phone credit, cigarettes.
• Reading materiel, crosswords, puzzle books. Boredom is a killer, so make sure you've got things to read.
• Writing pad/envelopes/stamps/pens.
• Photos of wife/partner, but not the kids (may not be allowed “in possession”). Also do not display them in your cell, for safety issues and also bear in mind what some are in for.
• Comfortable pair of shoes.
• Hairbrush or comb.
• Small battery-powered radio and spare batteries.
Some prisons are paranoid about wristwatches with chronographs and timers. Best to wear a cheap analog watch, ideally waterproof.
Similarly, jewellery is usually limited to one ring. Some prison are more lax and allow chains etc, but whatever you're not allowed to have will stay in storage at the prison.
IMPORTANT
When you go into prison, whatever you came in with is generally what you will wear going out. Therefore, if you went into prison in the summer time do not presume that you’ll be released in the summer. Make sure you go into court with at least a jacket or light coat, so that if your sentence ends in the winter you won’t freeze.