When the time approaches for your release, the prison probation attempts to provide you with the various tools to help you through the readjustment required going back out into the world again.

The probation is very concerned that you are able to get food and shelter on release. Both areas need to be firmly covered by them before you depart the premises!

You may be offered the opportunity to go on a weeks course just before release, the prison say it is to help you readjust and get a job -"life" when released. Do not be fooled by this vague assertion. It is a course, which probes all the areas of your life. Cunningly disguised as helping you, but in reality it is geared to the prison and probation services finding out about your plans, your drink, drug, sex and any other factors they could throw in for good measure.

The two prison officers our little group of ten had explained that we would talk as a group and nothing would leave the room. They even said we would all sign a "compact" that we would all agree on. When challenged on this because I spotted them taking notes, they tried to explain they were just showing their boss what they do, oh yes, right! Do not believe anyone who says that word "confidential", in prison it does not compute!

The pre-release course would have helped anyone with severe learning difficulties, but to the normal person the only advantage would seem to be the sorting out of any benefits for you, which you can do yourself anyway on release, without giving anymore information to" the system".

A major shift in your thinking is now required, the future has at both and the same time, fear and happiness. The anger for me reached a peak at this time. I vowed to myself to seek an outlet for my fury and frustration, at a system so full of hypocrisy and repression. I tell anyone, when facing the system injustice, never let the anger in, or it will consume the person you were and replace it with a not very nice, bitter man.