My story.
I'm from the UK,..... As a youngster 15 to 17 I got into petty thefts stealing candy, accepting stolen Alcahol and breaking a car window for a pack of cigarettes and a calculator. The UK had a system in place for young offenders called short sharp shock to give you a harsh regime to deter from re offending. Aged 17 for the car theft I was locked up for 61 days. This was the beginning of my worst nightmare..... Whilst in there I was bullied and beaten by staff and inmates..... Then one fatal day I was raped and beaten by a male prison officer, he was transferred to another jail shortly afterwards. I tried reporting it to another officer who laughed it off.
This led me to think no one would believe me....... Lived with this for 30 years until I became aware that this officer was later charged with raping other inmates and the police were asking for victims to come forward. I found the courage to contact them, things I said confirmed I was telling the truth with their cross referencing statements.
My life has been ruined by this man, the sad thing is the UK prison service knew he was a sexual threat to inmates and done nothing at the time althoughing him to rape young men for decades.
I turned to Alcahol as a way out, unfortunately whilst out drinking I got caught up in a crime as some guys I was with stole from the pub.... Because I was there I was arrested. I was never involved in the crime but got charged anyway. I was pleading not guilty, the lawyer said to me It looks bad as the others are pleading guilty. Long story short I ended up pleading guilt as I could not go back to jail, lawyer said if I plead not guilty, get found guilty I will get a longer sentence..... All the pressure got to me, I admitted to accepting a pint of beer. For this I received a suspended 12 month prison sentence. Now this conviction is stopping me from being with my girlfriend in the states.
Trying to appeal against this conviction is very difficult as UK are quick to prosecute but not so helpful to put things right.
I'm now receiving councelling after 30 years, I have been diagnosed with PTSD..... I have most symptons, depression, no trust in people, can't sleep, nightmares etc etc. I can't bring myself to tell my partner of my dilemma,,, at the same time the thought of losing the only piece of happiness I have makes me wonder if Im better off dead. This way I'm not letting her down and all my problems will be gone. I'm so down and can't see any way out, all the pressure is getting to me, my head feels like it is going to explode. I've wrote to MPs , different organisations etc and no one seems to care.
I'm from the UK,..... As a youngster 15 to 17 I got into petty thefts stealing candy, accepting stolen Alcahol and breaking a car window for a pack of cigarettes and a calculator. The UK had a system in place for young offenders called short sharp shock to give you a harsh regime to deter from re offending. Aged 17 for the car theft I was locked up for 61 days. This was the beginning of my worst nightmare..... Whilst in there I was bullied and beaten by staff and inmates..... Then one fatal day I was raped and beaten by a male prison officer, he was transferred to another jail shortly afterwards. I tried reporting it to another officer who laughed it off.
This led me to think no one would believe me....... Lived with this for 30 years until I became aware that this officer was later charged with raping other inmates and the police were asking for victims to come forward. I found the courage to contact them, things I said confirmed I was telling the truth with their cross referencing statements.
My life has been ruined by this man, the sad thing is the UK prison service knew he was a sexual threat to inmates and done nothing at the time althoughing him to rape young men for decades.
I turned to Alcahol as a way out, unfortunately whilst out drinking I got caught up in a crime as some guys I was with stole from the pub.... Because I was there I was arrested. I was never involved in the crime but got charged anyway. I was pleading not guilty, the lawyer said to me It looks bad as the others are pleading guilty. Long story short I ended up pleading guilt as I could not go back to jail, lawyer said if I plead not guilty, get found guilty I will get a longer sentence..... All the pressure got to me, I admitted to accepting a pint of beer. For this I received a suspended 12 month prison sentence. Now this conviction is stopping me from being with my girlfriend in the states.
Trying to appeal against this conviction is very difficult as UK are quick to prosecute but not so helpful to put things right.
I'm now receiving councelling after 30 years, I have been diagnosed with PTSD..... I have most symptons, depression, no trust in people, can't sleep, nightmares etc etc. I can't bring myself to tell my partner of my dilemma,,, at the same time the thought of losing the only piece of happiness I have makes me wonder if Im better off dead. This way I'm not letting her down and all my problems will be gone. I'm so down and can't see any way out, all the pressure is getting to me, my head feels like it is going to explode. I've wrote to MPs , different organisations etc and no one seems to care.
