I pretty much have to pick and choose who I ring because it costs way too much money to ring each of my kids.

Now about jail and what it does to you inside: you learn to suppress your feelings and show your anger or bravado. But what happens then to you? You forget how to love.

Before anything I am a human being. As I’ve learnt, this is quite important to remember.

I am nearly 72 years of age, and I have been in a prison or institution for all but eight or ten years of my life. So I would know a bit about Christmas lunch in the prison system.

A couple of months ago I began attending education here and found a program called “BK SB”, which brings students’ ability to manage English and maths up to scratch.

How many times have you heard these words?

I just read issue 5 November 2024. There was an article titled “Bodies in Cages: Trans Experiences in Prison”. Being a trans woman myself, I wanted to share my story of experience in custody.

Look at the bare roofs across our jails, put some solar panels on all of them and turn them all into power stations, effectively reducing power bills everywhere!

It’s my first time being inside. My anxiety, fear, depression and mental health are heightened with extra volume.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Remember to be kind to one another over the festive season.