Just Visiting
By Chris
I was staying in Paisley with my auntie who I was up from England visiting. While I was there I bought a cheap motor to run around in so I didn’t have to get on buses. One night, after a few valium, my cousin asked me to drive her to her pals. I said no but she kept nagging until I said yes. I weren’t in any fit state to drive but did anyway. So we got in the motor and was on our way to her pals but I needed to get petrol so I drive into the petrol station via the wall and crashed into the side of the garage- not the pump, thank God. I got out of the motor and tried to run off but I fell over about ten times.
Eventually I got nicked and took to the police station and was told I was going to court the next day. So the next morning I was woke up at 6.30 and, after I’d eaten, asked if I wanted a wash. So I had a wash and then my door opened and I was walked to a van and sat next to someone and handcuffed to them. There was about 15 of us in the back of this van, all cuffed to each other. This was something different to me as I was used to a ‘sweatbox’. It’s just a wee box with a seat in a ‘Reliance’ Bus and you’re locked in. Then we arrived in court and I was in a cell with about 20 other prisoners. I wasn’t really bothered about that coz I slept most of the time. And when I’d been up to court I was remanded. That was a bit of a shock coz I was expecting bail.
On the way to Barlinnie I was wondering what it was gonna be like because of my English accent. I knew I‘d be alright with the Rangers boy but weren’t too sure about the Celtic so my plan was to stick to the Rangers boy. But to my surprise everything was okay the first time I was on rec. I think a few people could see I was trying to keep a low profile and made conversation with me. I made a few good friends and everything was okay. My time in Scotland’s prison has been a good experience. I learnt a lot like how Scottish people do thing differently, how they view things differently and, of course, the old firm rivalry. Also, despite people say about England and Scotland, I’ve been accepted and looked after and will have happy memories of Scotland.