Funding for prison visits problem.

ryouga

I have been a few times and no problem to a relative with mental health problems and no other family to visit him.

For the last 2 visits they have screwed up the travel expenses and this time also got a letter claiming I never handed in the hotel receipt, and extra train fare ticket (which I did) and I must do so or I wont get money nex time.

Here is the big problem, due to the location it has limited transport and first train gets in at 10.50 thats assuming its not late, the prison wont let people in after 11am so I have to get taxi.

Now you may think this is a huge extra expense but its £5 return on the bus and £7 by taxi plus I have disabilities like autism and depression meaning I get confused if I have to go long distances by myself.

But the assessor has screwed up last 2 times and only paid me £3.50 bus fare, when that was old rate and it went up a year ago to £5 and timetable changed and staff are a little stroppy and just like "well the timetable says this" and don't believe its outdated.

Anyway they also said I can stay locally and it won't be expensive when the CHEAPEST single room is £45 and theres literally 1 hotel as its a village(is a 2nd but its closed due to flooding) so I have to travel in from another town that has rooms and is cheaper and just said its my own choice to stay there but as they have underpaid me twice both times they just say to write a note with next visit and I will get the correct money, and I don't

The problem there, they gave me a straight through ticket despite me claiming for each stage of the journey which actually costs half the price of a straight through one(and exactly the same trains) because of this I paid a extra £16 out of my own pocket which they wont refund.

It's a bad situation I couldn't of gone if I didnt get the money but then I leave my family member with mental health issues to go without any support.

And they "lose" things I send them but luckily I have proof just worried.

What can I do?

Guest101

Have I just learnt that you can claim expenses for visiting someone in prison? - Hmm...


Sorry doesn't answer your question

newtonflotman

There is something wrong here! DLA/PIP is being withdrawn from many T1 Diabetic children(which most people use to fund sensors) because apparently they do not need any additional assistance to a non diabetic but we are funding people to visit friends and family in prison. Am I missing something?:mad:

Caz3121

OP, how was it resolved last year?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5204975
If you are unable to afford to visit you should not feel bad, go with the suggestions in post 3 re contact

ab1982

Why the moral outrage at the state funding prison visits?

As I understand it an inmate could be sent miles away from their home and visits are kind of important.

ryouga

Caz3121 wrote: »

OP, how was it resolved last year?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5204975
If you are unable to afford to visit you should not feel bad, go with the suggestions in post 3 re contact

To be honst I can't remember, I know they refunded one taxi before and when they screwed up the tickets, other times they either gave me correct tickets or paid the £7 taxi fare.

The problem is that its how you see affordibility, I could afford it if I factored in something like eating less for a few days and having heating on lower.

But also if their admin was better it wouldn't be a problem, had they given me tickets for both trains seperate it would just be a £2 at most top up for taxi rather than bus

Johnnytwostep

prison is like butlins now, they get everything paid for

ryouga

Johnnytwostep wrote: »

prison is like butlins now, they get everything paid for

Joke or ignroance? Its not like the media tells you, the food makes school dinners look like the height of luxury, the cells are around the size of my bathroom with dull light coming through, they "pay" for their tv by renting it weekly and paying for it from their tiny wages i.e full time work for £10 a week and £1 of that is for tv, they can't watch 18 rated movies or play 18 rated games, they can't have clothes sent in so wear tatty clothes.

ab1982

Johnnytwostep wrote: »

prison is like butlins now, they get everything paid for

You ignorant so and so you clearly have never been to Butlins.

Guest101

ab1982 wrote: »

Why the moral outrage at the state funding prison visits?

As I understand it an inmate could be sent miles away from their home and visits are kind of important.

Oh no.... That's such a shame...

Guest101

ryouga wrote: »

Joke or ignroance? Its not like the media tells you, the food makes school dinners look like the height of luxury, the cells are around the size of my bathroom with dull light coming through, they "pay" for their tv by renting it weekly and paying for it from their tiny wages i.e full time work for £10 a week and £1 of that is for tv, they can't watch 18 rated movies or play 18 rated games, they can't have clothes sent in so wear tatty clothes.

Oh no.... Such a shame....