We understand that when someone you care about goes to prison you have lots of questions and uncertainties. It can be difficult to imagine what your loved one will be doing on a day to day basis. Below is some information about what daily life is like in prison.

Prisoners will typically have access to:

• A library
• A gym
• A faith room and chapel
• A health care centre and pharmacy
• Kitchens
• A college
• Common areas for socialising
• A Visits Hall with cafe/tea bar for visiting families
• Some prisons have access to gardens and/or a farm

This video is available in other languages.

Daily routine

A prisoner's daily routine will vary depending on the prison regime and the facilities available in the prison. But a typical example of a daily routine may consist of (excluding visits):

Daily routine

Weekdays (Monday - Friday)	Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
AM	AM
Rooms unlocked. Breakfast. Showers​	Rooms unlocked. Breakfast. Showers​
Residents who have jobs start work​	Lunchtime​
Residents who attend education start lessons​	PM
Lunchtime	Free time to use the gym, library, showers, telephones and socialise
PM	Evening meal​
Residents return to their rooms​	Residents return to their rooms for the evening
Residents go back to their jobs or lessons​
Evening meal​
Free time to use the gym, library, showers, telephones and socialise​
Residents return to their rooms​ for the evening

Key staff

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Prison environment

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Incentives

The Incentive Scheme is in place to help prisons stay safe. It works through encouraging prisoners to behave well by rewarding positive behaviour. On arrival into prison every prisoner will be given an Incentive rating. A higher Incentive rating means more rewards can be enjoyed. A lower Incentive rating means that they will not be allowed some of the things they enjoy. No matter what the behaviour of a prisoner, they will always have access to the things they need such as food, showers and toiletries.

The Incentive ratings include:

Basic​

This is the lowest rating. This rating will be given if rules are broken often or very seriously. If your family member has this rating they will be provided with access to basic entitlements. Refusing to engage with purposeful activities (for example, work) may also mean your family member is on Basic. ​

Standard​

This is the rating that everyone gets on entering prison. This is the level most prisoners are on. Prisoners on the standard level can enjoy a range of privileges. Prisoners can earn more rewards by behaving well and making a positive contribution to the prison community.

Enhanced​

This is the highest rating a prisoner can achieve and means they will get the best rewards and privileges because of their positive behaviour, their positive contribution to the prison community and being a good role model for other prisoners. This can be achieved by:

• ​Behaving well and following the rules
• Helping other prisoners and staff 

Education and employment

When a resident arrives in prison they will be asked about their education, qualifications and what additional education they may want or need. Prisons have a variety of courses on offer, delivered by highly skilled tutors, and many of them provide residents with industry recognised qualifications.

 

This video is available in other languages.

Healthcare

When your loved one arrives in prison they will have their physical and mental health checked in the first 24 hours so the prison can make sure that they get the medication, information and support they need during their stay.​ For more information about healthcare in prison, click here. 

Page last reviewed: 21 September 2022

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