What i packaged in my prison bag for a 5 year sentence inside HMP Wandsworth Prison
What i packaged in my bags for a 5 year sentence inside HMP Wandsworth Prison, My First Day Behind Bars: Packing for the Unknown at HMP Wandsworth
As the gavel struck with the weight of my impending reality, I knew that my life was about to pivot in a direction I never expected. With a heavy heart and a mind racing with uncertainty, I prepared what would be known as my prison bag – a small collection of personal items allowed by HMP Wandsworth for those serving time.
I remember sitting on the edge of my bed the night before my sentencing, the website Prisonguide.co.uk open on my laptop, my eyes scanning over the list of permitted items. I packed with care, knowing that each object would carry more than its physical weight – they would be tokens of normality in a life that was about to become anything but normal.
Into my bag went the basics: plain clothes, considering the strict dress code. I chose a grey jumper and a pair of jogging bottoms, both free of logos or patterns, along with a few t-shirts and enough underwear and socks to last a week – the laundry routines were still a mystery to me. Toiletries were next; a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap, all unopened as required. I also packed a towel, a small necessity that promised a sliver of personal space and cleanliness
I had been advised to bring some money – not too much, just enough for phone credit and essentials from the canteen. It was recommended that I bring around £50, in smaller notes to ease transactions. Despite the uncertainty, I remember the slight comfort in knowing I could at least call home.
The hardest part was choosing the photos to bring. The faces of my loved ones would soon be framed by the grey, lifeless walls of my cell. They said I could bring a few, so I chose the ones where their smiles were brightest – a small rebellion against the gloom I was walking into.
Then came the day of sentencing. Once the court proceedings concluded, the reality hit me as I was escorted from the courtroom. The trip from court to prison felt surreal, like I was outside my body watching a scene from someone else’s life. Handcuffs secured, I was led into the transport vehicle – a sterile, metal box that would deliver me to HMP Wandsworth.
The journey was silent, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle from the officers’ radios. I arrived at the prison gates with a knot in my stomach, the sight of the imposing walls solidifying my new existence. Processing was a blur of instructions, clanging doors, and the overwhelming sense of being catalogued.
My belongings were thoroughly searched, the contents of my carefully packed prison bag scrutinized before being returned to me. I was no longer just a man; I was an inmate, my identity reduced to the items I brought with me and the number assigned to me.
The first night was the hardest. Lying on the thin mattress, I could feel each spring against my back. The small pile of my possessions sat on the shelf, a stark reminder of the life I had temporarily left behind. The sounds of the prison at night were unfamiliar and intrusive – keys jangling, doors slamming, distant shouts. The comfort I sought in my belongings felt diminished under the weight of those walls, but they were a lifeline to who I was outside of them.
My personal account may echo the stories of many who face their first day of incarceration with trepidation. The preparation, the journey from court to prison, and the acclimation to a new environment are universal hurdles along a path I wish upon no one. And yet, this narrative serves as a candid window into the initial moments of prison life – moments of adaptation, of loss, but also of clinging to a sense of self through the few personal items allowed in a place designed to strip you of just that.
In the weeks that followed, I would learn to navigate the routines, to find solace in the structure, and to appreciate the small freedoms within my limited space. But on that first night, as I lay awake, the reality of my situation settled in with the darkness, and I understood that my journey had only just begun.
A Full list of what can be packed in your prison bag can be found here: What to take to prison
UK Prison Property Regulations: Understanding Your Allowance
When you find yourself preparing for a term of incarceration, it’s essential to understand what personal items you can bring along. According to the Prison Service Instruction 12/2011, also known as Prisoners’ Property, there are specific guidelines about the quantity and type of property you can hold while serving time.
The allowance is quite clear: each prisoner is entitled to store their personal items within two standard-sized boxes, with the dimensions of 70cm in length, 55cm in width, and 25cm in depth, plus one ‘outsize item’ if permitted by the prison governor. However, there are exemptions to this volume limit for certain items.
Permitted Jewellery Across All Incentive Levels:
- A single, plain ring, which may be a wedding band or a signet ring, without any raised designs or stones.
- Earrings or studs for existing piercings, including small sleepers for body piercings, present upon your initial reception.
- A simple, light chain necklace is permissible, which may carry religious symbols but not medallions.
- A rheumatism band can be kept if required.
- Watches are allowed, with restrictions to simple digital types that do not have the ability to store data, record, or connect via Bluetooth or WiFi.
Personal Hygiene and Grooming Essentials:
Regardless of your incentive level, the following items can accompany you:
- A towel devoid of any affiliations to sports teams, countries, or with potentially offensive designs.
- A flannel or sponge for personal cleaning.
- Basic haircare items such as combs, brushes, and accessories like scrunchies, ties, clips, or extensions.
- Toothbrush and nail brush for everyday grooming.
- Nail clippers are allowed; however, those equipped with files may require special permission.
- Shaving brushes must not contain metal parts.
- Additional items like hair dryers, tweezers, shower caps, and toiletry bags (not padded) are also acceptable.
- A compact, non-oscillating fan for personal use.
- Make-up can be brought in, keeping modesty in mind.
Additional Items for Higher Incentive Levels:
Earning higher incentive levels can allow you access to:
- Electric hair clippers (note that any sharp components, like scissors, will either be discarded or stored by the prison).
- Beard trimmers and nasal hair trimmers for personal grooming.
- Electric razors for a clean shave.
- Hair straighteners are permitted, but they must not be gas-powered.
- Plug adapters, which are subject to safety inspections and prison regulations.
Understanding and complying with these guidelines will ensure you have what you need to maintain your personal hygiene and some level of normalcy as you serve your sentence. It’s about adapting to a new environment while holding on to some personal comforts that resonate with your life outside the prison walls.
