TIME IS PRECIOUS
You applied for a job. It may not be the job of all jobs, but it is one that will make a big difference in your life. You plan for it, make sure your clothes are clean and ironed, you want to impress. You’ve checked the journey because you do not want to be late. On the day, you’re excited and nervous you are afraid things are going too well, but continue. You are not hindered. The interview goes well and guess what? You get the job. Now you can pay your outstanding bills, you call the utility company and tell them. You now think positively about the future.
So why is it then, when you commit a crime, get caught, that your thinking process is different from the above? Your logic changes, even though you may lose your liberty, or the consequences be life changing! No time is spent planning your journey, or with finding legal representation. You haven’t looked up on the ‘available’ internet potential sentences (punishments). Then, you attend your hearing in a track suit, in trainers, even in shorts! You are afraid, but won’t act! why?
THE LAMMY REPORT
This nonchalant attitude could be because of a lack of faith in the criminal justice system. individuals think why make an effort as its not going to make a difference. So they dress casual as if they were going for a walk, or intend chilling on the block. The Lammy Report (2017) told us that Black and other ethnic groups were over represented in prisons. For example Black people in 2015/16 made up 3% of the British population but made up 12% in prisons. Gypsies, Roma and Traveller’s children made up 12% of Secure Detention Centres.
While Muslims of all ethnicities had increased over the past decade from 8,900 to 13,200. Furthermore, all women of colour, were more likely to be arrested, charged and prosecuted for crimes compared to white women.
These groups have a lack of trust of the criminal justice system, which almost looks like they sabotage themselves with not making an effort with their appearance. Not make an effort to avoid coming to the Police’s attention in the first place. Take young people, many first come to the attention of the Police during stop and search. Many people from all different backgrounds smoke Cannabis for all different reasons. Some for recreation, to relax after a hard day of work, studying… But many do not come to the attention of the Police because they do not walk around carrying it.
WEED SMOKING
Take note youngers, if you are going to smoke weed, do not spend the day with it in your pocket, or down your pants. So when the Police exercises enthusiastically their stop and search, nothing is found. Furthermore, if you do decide to smoke weed, and (yes I think ALL smoking is bad), you don’t do it on the block. Nor should you smoke in an enclosed space, then leave for outside reeking of cannabis. Easy prey for the Police.
So what’s this got to do with time, as smoking weed will not give you prison time will it! Well lets look at that. Weed is just one example there are many that could lead to your time being taken away from you. Smoking weed puts you in that frame of mind where everything can wait until tomorrow. So you’ve already started to waste time. If you buy in bulk so that you can pass on some to your friends, you can be charged with possession of the drugs with intent to supply, and could do time.
RELATIONSHIPS
It may not be weed, it may be that glass of Prosecco or just any red will do. After a few glasses you start to tell your partner what is really on your mind! It is not appreciated and words fly around, next thing you know he calls you the B word, you slap him. He pushes you, and you fall down, crashing into furniture. Your neighbour hears the noise and calls the Police. Even if neither of you, press charges, the Police can, and one of you may end up in a Police cell – even a day in a cell is time.
There are different types of relationships, there are not just boyfriend and girlfriend. Your relationship with your family is one and with your friends. Many who end up hurting someone in those fights that turn into affrays, some use to be friends. An affray is serious, its a breach of the peace, usually a fight in public between several people. Those present usually members of the public, feel in fear of their safety.
The ex-friend now posts ‘disses’ about the person on social media, may be in a rap. He’s embarrassed and feels like a boy. His friends have seen the posts and they are laughing and encouraging him to do something about it. The ‘diss poster’ is seen in the High Street, a voice message is left and the ‘man dem’ come out tooled up. Some one is going to do serious time and for what, a stupid ‘diss’ that was very likely to have been true! And even if it wasn’t – is doing time worth it?
PRISON LIFE
Most people who go to prison especially for the first time, don’t know how much their treatment will be different from a non Black or ethnic group. First, if you are Black it is likely that you will go to a higher categorised prison. Those types of prisons concentrate on security, to prevent you from escaping not on rehabilitating. Therefore, if your offence is one of violence, to be released, you need to show at your parole hearing that you have been rehabilitated. If, there are no classes run at that prison for you to take, you end up spending more Precious Time in prison. Question was it worth it?
Even for public order offences (riots/affray) for example, ‘strikingly’ 417 Black offenders and 631 Asian offenders are placed in high security prisons, compared to 100 White offenders. (The Lammy Report, 2017).
Then, there is the treatment you expose yourself to in prison, and I am not here talking about from other prisoners. Any prison staff reading this, know this is not my opinion, these are facts I am relating here, and that is why institutions in the UK have been identified to clean up. As the great Bob Marley sang ‘if the cap fit, let them wear it.’ If you don’t like the fit then don’t wear it!
TREATMENT
Prisoners have complained of favouritism, Prison Officers can help you or they can prevent you from obtaining help. Black and ethnic minority prisoners experience less work, less places on rehabilitation programs. Also, more likely to report to inspectoral surveys less positive relationships with Prison Officers. Why does this matter? Prison is about punishment and rewards for good behaviour, otherwise why even try?
Both male and female from Black and ethnic minorities reported more unfair treatment, compared to White prisoners. They also believed they were actively mistreated with the incentive and privilege scheme, which determines incentives and rewards.
When most people are released from prison, they don’t readily discuss the above. Many are holding on to their mental health due to the experience of prison and prior issues. Gypsies and Travellers deaths by suicide has been flagged up by the Prison Ombudsman in 2015. We hear stories about prisoners playing on their game consoles, with TVs in their rooms. We hear very little about the above, the real price paid, the taking away of one’s precious time. As well as the lack of control of who you spend your time with!
REFLECTION
Hindsight ‘understanding of a situation or event only after it has happened or developed. Do you know you can actually gain the equivalent of hindsight! Instead of learning your lesson, in a prison cell, or just being away from your loved one’s. It’s called self-improvement. Its based on a spiritual premise, to know yourself is to know why God created you. Then you can spend your time working on your gifts not never realising them or wasting them. To do that, you have to be open, honest and patient. Most of all you have to have love for yourself.
Raesolution‘s, goal is to provide tools and strategies to assist in being aware of one’s emotions. To take control of one’s life so that time is used wisely.
Time is PRECIOUS, so I appreciate you spending your time reading my blog. If you would like more information on how to obtain my services, please complete the contact form.
Until the next blog, take care.
Akilah