Prison with a Disability?

Jamie222
Jamie222 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
I hope it is OK to post this here. Am new here and just hoping somebody might be able to help me.

I lost my sight last year and am now legally blind. This is all new to me and am coping as best I can. I can still see to an extent if things are very close and if I lookright up at a screen. I can't really see much in the distance and people need to be right up beside me before I can make them out.

The other thing that is happening to me is that I am probably getting sentenced and told to expect a prison sentence which I am dreading but have to face that. I have spoken with my solicitor awho has said that my situation will be taken into account and that prisons do accomodate the needs of people like me.

So I am just wondering if people would know anything about this maybe from work they do or through somebody they know who has been in this situation.. There are practical things like not being able to use stairs properly, not being able to see who is around me and not being able to read signs or notices. I am also  on medication for anxiety with everything thats going on. I've never been in prison before or know anybody who hass or knows about it so any info or advice would be a big help.

Thank You

Comments

  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,863 Championing
    edited August 2019
    [Removed by moderator]
  • Government_needs_reform
    Government_needs_reform Online Community Member Posts: 854 Trailblazing
    edited August 2019
    [Removed by moderator]
    I think that's a little personal to ask Why?
  • Liz99
    Liz99 Online Community Member Posts: 18 Listener
    tjat was not question he asked !! How rude
  • Liz99
    Liz99 Online Community Member Posts: 18 Listener
     Sure they will have staff to help it would be a discrimination if they didn’t don’t worry
  • exdvr
    exdvr Online Community Member Posts: 324 Empowering
    @April2018mom......that was an incredibly rude and irrelevant reply to a perfectly reasonable question by @Jamie222
  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Online Community Member Posts: 7,877 Championing
    edited August 2019
    Hi @Jamie222 and a warm welcome to the community. Personally, I'm not aware of other members being in a similar situation before, I apologise for not being able to give advice at this time but I sincerely hope as a community we can support you in any way we can :)
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,181 Championing
    @Jamie222, Hi,

    As a community champion here on scope, please can i just say that you do not need to answer any personal questions here on scope.

    It's not anyone's business the reasons why things happen and you do not need to explain anything here.

    I just don't want you to feel pressured in anyway by posting for help here on scope. We are a friendly community and value peoples health, well being and safety.

    I've never been in a situation like this and neither have i heard any stories. However, i can tell you that there will be help and support for you if while you are there. Please take a moment and read through this link. https://www.gov.uk/life-in-prison/healthcare-in-prison

    If we can be of any further help please do just ask and i'm sure someone will be only to happy to help you.

  • Geoark
    Geoark Online Community Member Posts: 1,464 Championing
    Hello @Jamie222 and welcome to the community.

    As well as the link @poppy123456 gave you, you might find the following of interest and may help to ease some of your concerns: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Disability pib.pdf
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @Jamie222 and a very warm welcome to the community! I hope the information above has been helpful and please do let me know if there is anything else we can do to help :)
  • pollyanna1052
    pollyanna1052 Online Community Member Posts: 2,015 Championing
    Jamie222 said:
    I hope it is OK to post this here. Am new here and just hoping somebody might be able to help me.

    I lost my sight last year and am now legally blind. This is all new to me and am coping as best I can. I can still see to an extent if things are very close and if I lookright up at a screen. I can't really see much in the distance and people need to be right up beside me before I can make them out.

    The other thing that is happening to me is that I am probably getting sentenced and told to expect a prison sentence which I am dreading but have to face that. I have spoken with my solicitor awho has said that my situation will be taken into account and that prisons do accomodate the needs of people like me.

    So I am just wondering if people would know anything about this maybe from work they do or through somebody they know who has been in this situation.. There are practical things like not being able to use stairs properly, not being able to see who is around me and not being able to read signs or notices. I am also  on medication for anxiety with everything thats going on. I've never been in prison before or know anybody who hass or knows about it so any info or advice would be a big help.

    Thank You
    Hi, I am sorry you find yourself in this situation and hope prison life will be kind to you. I watched documentaries about prisons and see that quite a number of inmates are on anti depressants, so this wont be unusual. Your sight problems will be though. I hope there is a structure in place to help disabled people.
  • Jamie222
    Jamie222 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Thanks for the links and welcome! Appreciate it. This has been hanging over me for a while so in some ways want whats going to happen and get it done but am alsow worried about it. Just wish I could turn the clock back and change things and not be in this situation but know that's not possible
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    That's not a problem @Jamie222 :)

    Please do let us know if we can do anything else to help!