Update on GBH Thread - Out of Prison

[Paul50]

I posted on here back in April about going to court for GBH. I ended up getting 12 months and did nearly 6 months in Young Offenders and got out a few weeks ago. Despite what people think it's pretty shit in there and I ended up just counting down the days to get out. I didn't get tag either.

Looking back at the stuff I asked at the time - I didn't have a clue. The first month was crap but after that just got on with it.

If anybody else has been through it - how long does it take to get things back to normal? Still find it strange being able to do stuff when I want - like going out for a drink, meeting mates even being on the PC now. I'm looking to get back working but am just not ready for it yet.

[ShyBoy]

Hey Paul,

Although the law is the law, it's really sad to hear about your situation. This is what are current system does - it should be helping those who commit crime rather than making it more difficult.

As for getting back into a routine, well, there are a few avenues / options:
1. If you feel disturbed after prison and don't feel able to cope with work, I'd recommend going to your GP and asking to be referred for counselling. Hopefully you can talk about your feelings and start making some positive headway.
2. When you do feel ready to get a job - JobCentrePlus is always a good place to start. Even if you don't get your dream job straight away it's always easier to go from a job to job than from unemployed.
3. As for things getting back to normal, well I've not been in your situation but as with anything I'd assume that time is the greatest healer.

Again, best of luck getting back on the straight and narrow and please do post back with how things are getting on.

Best Wishes,

[katchika]

Do you have a probation officer? Can you go to Connexions or some sort of local advice centre?

Maybe you could do some voluntary work, or perhaps a Princes Trust scheme, to ease you back into doing something meaningful and give you something to work towards.

Good luck. :)

[J]

Just out of interest were you taking or dealing GHB?

[J]

Sorry, read wrong, GBH. *muppet*

[Bunnie]

I am sorry to hear you are feeling at a bit of a loose end. Like others have suggested do some voluntary work.

However, I am not wishing to upset you, and I am sure you have thought about this before, it may be hard initially for you to get a job due to your record.

I would probably recommend visiting the Citizens Advice Bureau and see what they say.

I really hope you sort yourself out love

[otter]

it will take time, but you'll get back on your feet eventually. its just about adjusting back to normality. how do you find your probation officer? they should be able to help you get back on your feet if you use them properly.

[J]

Prison in my case was a complete waste of time. It only made things worse for me which in turn makes things worse for society. They need to deal with the cause of my problems in the first place, which ironicaly is them. The police, the education system, fucked up families etc. To be honest though I don't see why I should waste my time, they caused the roblem, they should have to put up with it. I'm just a product, why should I get in shit for it? Getting in shit for things I didn't do fucked me up in the first place. Seriously, if I could wipe out the whole planet I would, I just think it's unwise for me to kill a handfull of people and get locked up forever for it.

[stargalaxy]

My advice to you would be slightly similar to someone coming back after a long time in the military. Just take it one day at a time.

As someone who usually has very short shrift with prisoners, I've never put quite enough thought into what happens AFTER someone finishes their spell of doing porridge. I've never been convinced by media portrayals of jails as cushy, luxury places - far from it. I visited one a couple of years ago. It's not a place I'd ever want to end up in myself.

J, I hope you don't mind me asking, but why were you sent to do a spell at Her Majesty's pleasure?

[Whowhere]

Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them, "it's not my fault i've
got aspergers
ADHD
bad teachers
bad parents
been harrassed"

e.t.c.

People need to start taking responsibility for their own lives again and accepting that THEY have fucked up if they get locked up, instead of blaming everyone else.

[stargalaxy]

Everybody else's fault but your own eh? Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them, "it's not my fault i've got aspergers/ADHD/bad teachers/bad parents/been harrassed" e.t.c.

People need to start taking responsibility for their own lives again and accepting that THEY have fucked up if they get locked up, instead of blaming everyone else. I was sorely tempted to say something very similar when I read J's comments, but resisted for two reasons. (1) I didn't think it was entirely appropriate in a thread started by someone else. (2) Some prat who objected to what I was saying would have started flaming me, and we'd have seen the usual pathetic game of let's-have-a-go-at-Stargalaxy from the usual morons.

Everything is always someone else's fault in this compensation-culture society of ours.

[katralla]

Everybody else's fault but your own eh?
Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them, "it's not my fault i've
got aspergers
ADHD
bad teachers
bad parents
been harrassed"

e.t.c.

People need to start taking responsibility for their own lives again and accepting that THEY have fucked up if they get locked up, instead of blaming everyone else.

We, they, bollox mate. What will YOU say when it's you? I don't for one minute believe that you don't or won't ever break the law, it's when/if you get busted that'll matter.

[pill 'ed]

We, they, bollox mate. What will YOU say when it's you? I don't for one minute believe that you don't or won't ever break the law, it's when/if you get busted that'll matter.

Exactly.

The law isn't always right and people haven't always 'fucked up' just because they've been sent to prison, there ARE mistakes and there ARE exceptions.

[Melian]

Everybody else's fault but your own eh?
Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them, "it's not my fault i've
got aspergers
ADHD


I take it you don't have a clue about either of these illnesses then? There ARE people who have these illnesses and for some people, they CAN be very serious. They are NOT excuses; but are proper illnesses.

That's rubbish really. I take it you've never met anyone with those illnesses and the effects they have on some people? And I think you'll find it's not their fault they've got those illnesses. And no, I'm not trying to make excuses for people who have them. I live with someone who has aspergers and it is very serious.

[CheeseOnToast]

I know, I think you are well out of order WhoWhere.

I had a colourful childhood myself, luckily didn't get in that much shit, but I knew people who came from truly awful families, the real dregs of society.. and TBH a lot of what they did WAS their families fault.

What kind of impact do you think peoples upbringing has on them?

Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them

Hahaha, "we", who, the Community Support Officers??

Sorry to tell you this mate, but your job is a joke, you're not even a real police officer, not that thats something to aspire too.

I had two of your lot knock my door one morning after a night shift because my tax disc wasn't on display, when I told him it was in the glovebox he was a right twat insisting I put it on display there and then and that "i was lucky as he was about to have my car towed"

When I saw he was a PCSO I nearly pissed myself, I just laughed in his face and shut the door. How anyone takes you seriously I don't know.

[pill 'ed]

.

[Jarvey Of Suburbia]

.

:lol:

[Whowhere]

Thought i'd get flamed, but never mind. Yes, there will always be exceptions, and tbh it's impossible to take into account everybody's circumstances on an internet message board.

And don't for one second think i'm rubbishing people who have an illness, i'm not, people who genuinely have either disorder need help and understanding, i'm fine with that. But everyone has it now, or everyone has a bad teacher, or everyone has bad parents.

I know people who have had truly fucked up families who have turned out alright, and likewise I know people with really good families who are utter scumbags. With exceptions, if you do something it's your fault, not mine.

And C-O-T, whatever you think about the role/concept you don't know much about the job, fine you don't like PCSO's, I can only assume the ones in Wales are numpties. In the real world, ie civilisation we work for a living, and tow peoples untaxed/uninsured cars instead of being inconsiderate and warning them first.


And Paul, sorry for hijacking the thread. I think the best thing you can do is try and ENJOY being out. Make the most of doing the things you couldn't do, and hopefully learn from the experience.

[CheeseOnToast]

And C-O-T, whatever you think about the role/concept you don't know much about the job, fine you don't like PCSO's, I can only assume the ones in Wales are numpties. In the real world, ie civilisation we work for a living, and tow peoples untaxed/uninsured cars instead of being inconsiderate and warning them first.




Well TBH I don't know much about the role but they do piss me off, because the local ones are idiots.. but you really got back up, and fell into their category ;)

[CheeseOnToast]

:lol:

What did I miss :D lol

[Paul50]

Hey Paul,

Although the law is the law, it's really sad to hear about your situation. This is what are current system does - it should be helping those who commit crime rather than making it more difficult.

As for getting back into a routine, well, there are a few avenues / options:
1. If you feel disturbed after prison and don't feel able to cope with work, I'd recommend going to your GP and asking to be referred for counselling. Hopefully you can talk about your feelings and start making some positive headway.
2. When you do feel ready to get a job - JobCentrePlus is always a good place to start. Even if you don't get your dream job straight away it's always easier to go from a job to job than from unemployed.
3. As for things getting back to normal, well I've not been in your situation but as with anything I'd assume that time is the greatest healer.

Again, best of luck getting back on the straight and narrow and please do post back with how things are getting on.

Best Wishes,

Well I'm just taking a bit of time away from home right now to try and get my head straight before I have the next appointment with the Probation Officer. I did talk to him about all this and he said it was normal for it to be difficult but things would get better. I know I can't expect an ideal job straight off and I did some construction stuff in there so I should be able to get something when I'm sorted out.

Prison in my case was a complete waste of time. It only made things worse for me which in turn makes things worse for society. They need to deal with the cause of my problems in the first place, which ironicaly is them. The police, the education system, fucked up families etc. To be honest though I don't see why I should waste my time, they caused the roblem, they should have to put up with it. I'm just a product, why should I get in shit for it? Getting in shit for things I didn't do fucked me up in the first place. Seriously, if I could wipe out the whole planet I would, I just think it's unwise for me to kill a handfull of people and get locked up forever for it.

You seem to have it bad. I got a hard time in school but gave as good as I got. I got into trouble for this and that and the police started getting involved. My parents were always telling me I would end up in shit but I never really took notice before all this - I thought it was normal stuff that lads get into but I got a bit of time to think about shit and counselling in there and I don't want to go through it again

Everyone comes up with the same thing when we deal with them, "it's not my fault i've
got aspergers
ADHD
bad teachers
bad parents
been harrassed"

e.t.c.

People need to start taking responsibility for their own lives again and accepting that THEY have fucked up if they get locked up, instead of blaming everyone else.

But you would do the same thing if you thought it would get you a shorter sentence or even get off

[BumbleBee]

When I saw he was a PCSO I nearly pissed myself, I just laughed in his face and shut the door. How anyone takes you seriously I don't know.

That's why society is so shit. People have no respect for ANYBODY.

[Skive]

That's why society is so shit. People have no respect for ANYBODY.

I've got very little repect for the police as a body. I've done some bad things and I rightly got punished, but the police have fucked me over and have behaved like scum on a number of occasions.

Ever job has it's fair share of wankers but it's the nature of the job that attracts so many egotistical pricks to the police.

[Whowhere]

I've got very little repect for the police as a body. I've done some bad things and I rightly got punished, but the police have fucked me over and have behaved like scum on a number of occasions.

Ever job has it's fair share of wankers but it's the nature of the job that attracts so many egotistical pricks to the police.


Whilst i've got no time for some of the "people" I come into contact with, i've equally got no time for corrupt, unfair cops either.
Me, and the team i'm in strive to be fair, we won't fuck someone over just because they got away with it the first time, e.t.c. e.t.c.or because they've upset us in the past.

TBH, fucking someone over for the sake of it is more trouble than it's worth, too much paperwork lol.

[Skive]

TBH, fucking someone over for the sake of it is more trouble than it's worth, too much paperwork lol.

They do it though. I've been on the wrong end of it. It makes me fucking angry thinging about it. Cunts.

[z-]

in reply to j's point about people with illnesses not deserving to be punished like that i have to say i agree .. i have a close friend who is paranoid schizophrenic and just watching his head go to pieces from time to time is bad enough .. he does go and get himself into bother but he doesnt do it out of pure spite its down to his illness and his strange ways of thinking. i dont think he should be sent to a prison (where ive no doubt whatsoever hed just come out worse) .. the problem more lies in the lack of proper help in the .. 'system'

whowhere .. your post does make you come across as an ignorant cunt, just like cheeseontoast i didnt have the most comfortable of upbringings from time to time but luckily didnt get sucked into some of the stuff that ive saw others .. too many others .. get into. and thats a completely different argument anyway .. you'll know all about it when you're out with your missus some night and come across a situation where you feel that your own and her safety is genuinely in danger .. and any sense of 'law' or being a 'good citizen' goes out the window and you do something that anyone (id like to think anyway..) would do and end up on the wrong side of the law, and see yourself getting locked up .. then i bet you'll think differently about it all ..

tbh i feel sorry for you if you feel like that, cuz you don't have a clue



They do it though. I've been on the wrong end of it. It makes me fucking angry thinging about it. Cunts.

to right don't even go there :crazyeyes id risk it and say the majority of you on here don't have a clue about getting properly walked over and pissed on by the police .. cuz then again your attitude would shift completly

[CheeseOnToast]

That's why society is so shit. People have no respect for ANYBODY.

boohoo

If there were more people like me in society then it would be better, fact.:yeees:

And FYI I would prefer to have 1 regular copper than 2 PCSO's on my block, I just dont get it

[otter]

i get both points trying to be made here. people are without a doubt a product of their upbringing and their past - i don't think that can be denied. but everyone does have to take responsibility for their own actions whatever they do. the system is absolutely fucked - ask anyone who's been through it but its turns out good and bad the same way parents do or anything else does. so someone who goes and assaults someone every time they are a bit cheesed off, because their dad beat them and they know no better - doesn't excuse their behavior at all. the only thing it does is rationalize it. and rationalization isn't something the law is too concerned with.
any police officer or pcso is doing a job and their job is to uphold the law not to play counselor or social worker and find out why someone is the way they are.

[Ricardo R]

so someone who goes and assaults someone every time they are a bit cheesed off, because their dad beat them and they know no better - doesn't excuse their behavior at all.Why is verbal abuse completely acceptable yet physical abuse not? ie if someone is being provoked with verbal insults, if they then react by throwing a punch they get in trouble, but not the person who "started" it with verbal insults? Emotional/psychological distress from verbal abuse can be much more damaging for someone than assault they can fully recover from.

[randomdad]

Why is verbal abuse completely acceptable yet physical abuse not? ie if someone is being provoked with verbal insults, if they then react by throwing a punch they get in trouble, but not the person who "started" it with verbal insults? Emotional/psychological distress from verbal abuse can be much more damaging for someone than assault they can fully recover from.

No one is saying verbal abuse is acceptable, but punching someone as a reaction to something that is said is equally unacceptable and although recovery physically maybe possible it may also cause emotional distress(fear of being beaten/hit again and unable to leave the house) that could take a long time to recover from.

[Ricardo R]

No one is saying verbal abuse is acceptable, but punching someone as a reaction to something that is said is equally unacceptable and although recovery physically maybe possible it may also cause emotional distress(fear of being beaten/hit again and unable to leave the house) that could take a long time to recover from.Then they shouldn't have insulted / verbally abused / provoked in the first place..!

[DG]

Why is verbal abuse completely acceptable yet physical abuse not? ie if someone is being provoked with verbal insults, if they then react by throwing a punch they get in trouble, but not the person who "started" it with verbal insults? Emotional/psychological distress from verbal abuse can be much more damaging for someone than assault they can fully recover from.


Out of interest - what if someone is flinging verbal and racist abuse at you in a foreign language that you don't understand?

And this isn't hypothetical - happened to me on a trip to Italy. Didn't know what the guy said ...but by the stabbing motions and the Nazi salute I was guessing it wasn't good.

[randomdad]

Then they shouldn't have insulted / verbally abused / provoked in the first place..!

I understand that maybe your pov, but I was disbuting the fact that you thought that people thought verbal abuse was acceptable which it isn't.
IMO neither physical nor verbal abuse are good. Whilst I accept that no. they shouldn't insult/verbally abuse/ provoke in the first place it doesn't give the right to be punched for it. And from your argument why punch when verbal abuse will affect them more. I think you may be trying to get others to validate your actions from a previous thread.
Not sure if I got my point across there, my OH is better at that sort of thing.
Sorry for hijacking the thread paul, pretty much agree with what others have said, one day at a time/seek advice.
I found when i had beem ill with depression for 12 months (seems like a prison sentence) that helping my uncle by doing labouring work in his building firm a couple of days a week helped get back into things. If this is possibilty for you it might be worth a try.

[Ricardo R]

I understand that maybe your pov, but I was disbuting the fact that you thought that people thought verbal abuse was acceptable which it isn't.From a legal/criminal perspective I meant. eg in my case, the people who committed verbal abuse, and did the initial provokation, will get let off completely, and only the people who responded to provokation are charged. Ridiculous.

[cocoonrecs]

From a legal/criminal perspective I meant. eg in my case, the people who committed verbal abuse, and did the initial provokation, will get let off completely, and only the people who responded to provokation are charged. Ridiculous.

There's no evidence that they said anything for the coppers to go off. Theres evidence you kicked fuck outta them tho.

[randomdad]

From a legal/criminal perspective I meant. eg in my case, the people who committed verbal abuse, and did the initial provokation, will get let off completely, and only the people who responded to provokation are charged. Ridiculous.

That's the problem with provacation it's designed to get a reaction and in this case you did react (quite extremely imo) if maybe you or your friend had reacted differently this may just have turned out as a nasty slanging match with no assault or charges.
You could with legal advice claim you were provoked but this would be hard to prove.

[Ricardo R]

Surely it's common sense that people with zero history of causing trouble would have only reacted to extreme provocation. Anyway don't wanna threadjack this, just annoyed I've gotta take a morning off work when annual bonuses are being decided with this hassle.

[TheKingOfGlasgow]

Surely it's common sense that people with zero history of causing trouble would have only reacted to extreme provocation.
Why are you not listening? There is *no evidence* that there was extreme provocation towards you....

[Whowhere]

Wasn't this topic in the other topic closed? I thought the general rule of thumb was that kicking shit out of someone badly enough to put them in hospital and get charged with GBH wasn't excusable by some name calling.......

[CheeseOnToast]

I dont think anyone should of been put in a coma but it could easily happen by accident, I mean people have died from one good punch and hit the floor.

Got to be honest if someone said that to one of my mates, I would of given them a slap as well, but I wouldn't of hung around for the pigs

[cocoonrecs]

Surely it's common sense that people with zero history of causing trouble would have only reacted to extreme provocation. Anyway don't wanna threadjack this, just annoyed I've gotta take a morning off work when annual bonuses are being decided with this hassle.

I think a few months inside will bring you down to earth ...... with a fucking big thump.

[Whowhere]

I dont think anyone should of been put in a coma but it could easily happen by accident, I mean people have died from one good punch and hit the floor.

Got to be honest if someone said that to one of my mates, I would of given them a slap as well, but I wouldn't of hung around for the pigs



Big difference between a slap and GBH though isn't there. Unless by slap you also mean "to put in hospital".

And by the sounds of it he didn't wait through choice....

[CheeseOnToast]

Big difference between a slap and GBH though isn't there. Unless by slap you also mean "to put in hospital".

And by the sounds of it he didn't wait through choice....

Fair points mate.. and yes very big difference you are right!

But my point was we don't know if he gave him a hammering or if he just punched him and he fell and hit his head or something.. I'm guessing from his posting attitude though they gave him a hammering which is definately wrong.

What makes me laugh the most is that someone like Ricardo would even hit someone lol .... and be able to do damage :lol: :lol:

It's probably a load of bollocks anyway

[Whowhere]

Fair points mate.. and yes very big difference you are right!

But my point was we don't know if he gave him a hammering or if he just punched him and he fell and hit his head or something.. I'm guessing from his posting attitude though they gave him a hammering which is definately wrong.

What makes me laugh the most is that someone like Ricardo would even hit someone lol .... and be able to do damage :lol: :lol:

It's probably a load of bollocks anyway



I think from his general attitude, and the GBH charge we can assume he did some damage.
Yes there is chance the pre-CPS charges have been inflated and the CPS will instead decide to charge for ABH, but you can't rely on that.

I'm just amazed to see he's counting on his upbringing to get him out of it, because if he goes to court with the attitude he has right now the judge will quite happily take him down a peg or 2, especially as he has shown zero concern or remorse for the bloke he punched.

Now don't get me wrong, the guy he punched was quite probably a cunt, there's no excuse for what he did. But beating the shit out of him wasn't called for either.

[Whowhere]

Why is verbal abuse completely acceptable yet physical abuse not? ie if someone is being provoked with verbal insults, if they then react by throwing a punch they get in trouble, but not the person who "started" it with verbal insults? Emotional/psychological distress from verbal abuse can be much more damaging for someone than assault they can fully recover from.


The law quite clearly says there is a difference. The racist bloke, if found guilty of racially aggravated public order could get at the most 2 years inside, which is extremely unlikely. More likely he will be charged with non-racially aggravated as there is no proof and will probably get an £80 fine.

You on the other hand are facing 5 years inside if convicted and possibly another 3 months inside for the criminal damage to the mirror.

[Ricardo R]

he has shown zero concern or remorse for the bloke he punched.Yes I feel so awful and upset that I assaulted a racist scumbag who refers to a British-born, well-groomed, middle-class Asian as a smelly immigrant :rolleyes:

[Jim V]

Yeah - lets avoid hijacking this thread shall we?

Maybe when things have moved forward Ricardo you can let us know about it - but for now I think it's pretty obvious what people feel about your actions.

[Whowhere]

Yes I feel so awful and upset that I assaulted a racist scumbag who refers to a British-born, well-groomed, middle-class Asian as a smelly immigrant :rolleyes:




let me make it clear, I agree with you that the bloke is a scumbag. But you can't rely on that to condone your actions in court. The laws are very clear on what constitutes self-defence and there is lots of case law showing what amounts to reasonable excuse and other lawful defences. You need to start thinking of something else other than "the bloke was a cunt who deserved it" for court.

[cocoonrecs]

Yes I feel so awful and upset that I assaulted a racist scumbag who refers to a British-born, well-groomed, middle-class Asian as a smelly immigrant :rolleyes:

I hate soooo much the way that you have to refer to peoples class/university/career/salary no matter what your tealking about. Whether its a peice of cheese of putting someone in a coma.


I never thought somebody on the end of a computer could annoy me so much.

[Kazbo]

Yes I feel so awful and upset that I assaulted a racist scumbag who refers to a British-born, well-groomed, middle-class Asian as a smelly immigrant :rolleyes:

:yes: and that means he deserves his head banging into a mirror repeatedly does it? :chin: Just brings you down to his level imo.

[Indrid Cold]

:yes: and that means he deserves his head banging into a mirror repeatedly does it? :chin: Just brings you down to his level imo.
No, lower.

[Paul50]

Been reading through some of the other posts and have to say that I agree that it seems unfair that it always ends up as one person being the victim and the other getting into trouble for stuff. In my case the other guy started off the aggro and just because he was drunker than me didn't do too much harm but he could off. the way the police saw it I was the one to blame and I wasn't. I'm not making excuses and I've got my sentence for it but I still remember the look he gave me in court when I got sentenced and it made me mad. He should have been done for it too.

Anyway thanks for the other advice - I have a job lined up for after Christmas and am looking forward to getting back to normal and having a better year next year.

[Man Of Kent]

Yes I feel so awful and upset that I assaulted a racist scumbag who refers to a British-born, well-groomed, middle-class Asian as a smelly immigrant :rolleyes:

You are right of course. Your friend isn't a "smelly immigrant".

He's a violent thug.

Grooming, breeding education - it meant fuck all really because the only reaction he had wasn't to use any of that. It was a neanderthal instinct to beat the shit out of someone.

Oh, and as an aside. There whilst he may have been provoked and the judge may take the "race card".... you have no such excuse. You were not abused in any way.

Hope you get a maximum stretch - or have practiced the handshake ;)

[Senor Miguel]

Anyway thanks for the other advice - I have a job lined up for after Christmas and am looking forward to getting back to normal and having a better year next year.

congratulations mate, onwards and upwards i hope.