HMP Morton Hall

When you first come into the prison, it can take a bit of time to get used to the prison regime and rules.  Here is some information about prison rules and jargon to help you get started.  This list does not cover everything and you will find more information in your induction book.  Prison rules are designed to help everyone. 

Prison Rules

• The prison does not tolerate any violence or poor behaviour so you must treat all prisoners and staff with respect, regardless of their individual characteristics.
• When you come out of your cell, you must be fully dressed and wearing shoes/trainers.
• Do not borrow vapes or snacks from anyone else in the prison; you could get into trouble with prison and could face warnings or adjudications. Also if you borrow something from another prisoner, most expect you to pay at least double back (this is called ‘double bubble’) and so you will quickly get into debt.  Sometimes when people are in debt, they may face threats or intimidation from others.
• The possession and use of any drugs (unless prescribed by healthcare) or alcohol is not allowed in prison. The prison does regular searching and testing.  You should not give or receive medication from anyone else in the prison.
• ‘Association’ is the time you are allowed out of your cell. You will hear 2 bells at the end of association.  After the first bell, you must make your way back to your cell.  By the second bell, you need to be back in your cell.
• Your cell call bell is for emergencies only.
• You should call prison officers and Governors by their surname, e.g. Mr/Mrs Smith/Gov Smith. Most agency staff (such as Resettlement and Addaction) will introduce themselves by their first name and you can call them by this.

Prison jargon

‘Boss’/’Gov’ – what male prison staff are called if people do not know their name.

‘Miss’ – what female prison staff are called if people do not know their name.

Padmate – person you share your cell with.

HDC – home detention curfew – the date you could get released on tag / electronic monitoring, if the prison agrees this is suitable.

ARD – automatic release date – the date you get released, usually half way through your sentence.

BCST – basic custody screening tool – this is an interview usually done by an Offender Supervisor the day after you arrive in prison.  This is followed by a second interview with the Through the Gate team within 8 days of you arriving in the prison.

Meds – medication

Assoc – association time

IMB – Independent Monitoring Board, group of volunteers who monitor the daily life in prison to ensure everyone is being treated fairly.  You can request to see the IMB by putting in an application to them

General app – general application; a form available from all wing offices that you can use to ask for support from services or make general requests to the prison.

Comp 1 – complaints forms, also available from any wing office.

OMU – offender management unit, the team of offender supervisors and probation staff within the prison

OS – Offender Supervisor, your allocated person in OMU.

OM – Offender Manager, your outside probation officer. Also known as Probation Practitioner

Family visits – special visits, just for families or significant others, with extra activities, often held during the school holidays.  The dates for family visits can be found in each wing office.  You need to apply for these in advance.

To help you keep in contact with family and friends while you are in prison, please bring their full names, dates of birth, phone numbers and addresses with you, written on a piece of paper.

Upon arrival at the prison, you will be entitled to a 2 minute reception phone call.  During this call, it is useful to make sure your family/friend has your prison number (you will be issued with this on arrival at the prison) and the visits booking telephone number.  On the next working day you will attend a prison induction when you will be able to fill in a form to ask for your family and friends phone numbers to be put onto your phone account.  The numbers will usually take 2-3 days to be approved.  You will also be asked to add any potential visitors to your visitor list.  This must be done before a visitor can book a visit, and can take around two weeks to process.

Your family and friends can also keep in contact using www.emailaprisoner.com and www.prisonvoicemail.co.uk.  You may find it useful to give your family and friends these details before you attend court.

Once approved on your visitors list, family and friends can apply to visit you in prison.   A convicted prisoner is usually allowed two 1-hour visits every 4 weeks.  A prisoner on remand is usually allowed three 1 hour visits a week.  Exact rules can be found on the information page of the relevant prison.

Every prison has a dedicated Families Team, who are there to provide information, advice and support about anything relating to families and significant others, including how to keep in touch, how to trace family you’ve lost touch with, parenting skills, and lots more.  An application can be submitted via the prison wing office to get help from this team.