AS with all things inside prison, the time allocated for association (as they term it) is regulated to suit the staff more than for the benefit of the inmates.

Association takes place whenever the time is set. Usually after your food at night during the week and all Saturday and Sunday. It has to include telephone use, games, gym, courses and discussion groups, religion stuff and just chatting to friends in their pads, (not allowed in holding prisons). It might include haircuts, telephone applications, menu and canteen form filling out, in fact just about any activity that is mixing with other prisoners.

Always keep your door open when other prisoners are in, usually a limit of two others and you. Never be bullied by others, if in any way concerned or very worried, ask a bigger friend to intervene for you, I had only peace and calm wherever I was! Life is way too short to tolerate bullies and I explain this to them, gently. However, it is a golden rule not to "grass" any other inmate to the screws, as this could mean a very sledgehammer extra length of time added to someone's sentence. Far better to get help from others.

If bullying gets out of hand then you must except that you will be removed to a new prison, as being the only way the staff can safeguard you, when they act against the person(s) and even then VP could be the only safe section for you. Be firm and in view of a prison officer if you tackle a bully, in all probability they will already be "known" as a problem waiting to happen anyway.

Remember also that when you get out of prison and are on licence, communicating with an inmate or ex-con is very much frowned upon by the probation service, so friends are made for a short time only.

However, this does not prevent you sending that little extra help to his family to pass on or the various bits of information he can obtain during their visits. Always remember the pals you leave behind, their refusal to buckle under the extreme pressure, means so very much.

I talked through the night to many men too hurt to care about continuing to fight, when all it required was a little bit of thought by the prison to ease the pain. Small things grow in prison to become huge and insurmountable problems. The one thing that would help in most cases is the ability to telephone or talk out a family problem, without nearly killing or starving yourself to get attention.

Prisoners generally fall into two groups, those that except their fate and just do their time and those that moan and gripe to anyone who is stupid enough to ask how they are! Become the chameleon, blend in and life goes on around you.