• Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 77 subscribers
  • Views 2614 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Desperate for help: Aspie in prison

Jazifox

Firstly, I apologise for making this my introductory post, but I am frantic with worry for my husband.

He is 38 and has just recently been diagnosed with Aspergers.  Yesterday he got sent to prison for a huge mistake he made when using his computer.

Already he is not coping well- he told me during his phone call that he has already had a meltdown and self-harmed (head to wall). He received death threats on the bus from the court, due to the nature of his conviction. I don't know how they found out, but he is most definitely not what he has been labelled as. 

He has been told that an appeal might be possible, and obviously I want to get him out of there and safe as soon as I can.

Does anyone have any advice about organisations I can contact that might be able to help with the appeal, by providing evidence about how dangerous it is to his mental health to keep him in that environment?

I'm worried that without me to help him, as his voice of reason,  that he might lash out at someone if one of the other prisoners provokes him too much, and make things worse for himself.

I need to get him out of there.

Please help

xXx 

  • Hi Jazifox,

    Sorry to hear about this very difficult situation. We have lots of information on our website on dealing with the Criminal Justice System.

    Hope it will help.

    Avi

  • Ps

    Get in touch with the Prison Chaplin. You might question that but they can be very, very useful. Don't be worried if you don't go to church or anything. Decent ones, wont ask that. But they can help with procedures of how to go about things etc. Don't be afraid to ring the prison and ask to speak to them, or contact local parish priest and ask them to make the contact if you not sure about contacting the prison.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Was the court presented with a psychiatric asssessment that would have at least explained, if not excused, his behaviour and reduced the sentence on the grounds of diminished responsibility? If psychiatric evidence was not presented and you found an expert witness who would stand up for him court then this could be grounds for an appeal.

  • I did manage to find him eventually, and visited on Friday. He looked ashen, it was heartbreaking. 

    I have written to my mp, who is campaigning for Autism Awareness right now, at the suggestion of a lovely NAS volunteer, and NAS also sent me an email with a lot of useful numbers.

    On the whole, I'm feeling better, but I still want to get him out.

    Thanks for the support

    xXx 

  • Presumably he has gone to an intermediate holding place before being placed somewhere longer term, and that's what is preventing you finding out in the immediate term.

    As his wife you have access rights so should be told.

  • I can't even find out where he is :(

    And the verdict is that there are no grounds for appeal.

    I feel so helpless, and I can not imagine what he might be going through.

  • Are you able to visit? I'm praying that the prison staff will be understanding and keep him safe.

    He should be assessed under the mental health act rather than the legal system.

  • Thank you for your reply, Hoppy.

    at the moment, I'm trying everything I can think of.

    I haven't spoken to him since that first night, and am absolutely terrified for him.

    xXx

  • i was in this situation. Get yourself some support, your husband is a vulnerable adult, get an ADVOCATE to assist and to be with him at any meeting and to visit and reassure, will be a group in your area. 

    I found it helped me by writing a concisee character description for him, you know him better than anyone!, and his difficulties, and describe what happened, so you're ready with a good personal defence and mitigation to offset the incident, give COPY to your appointed legal rep

    You could request the prison chaplain to visit, this was a great help to us.

    Build a good contact with his appointed legal rep.

    hope i haven't told you something you already know, and hope it helps.

    will be praying for you both.