If you are facing a custodial sentence in England or Wales for the first time, the fear of the unknown is often worse than the reality of prison itself. This guide walks you through what actually happens, in the order it happens, so you can prepare with a clear head. If you are unsure about the likely outcome, start with will I go to prison for my offence?.
Before the Sentencing Hearing
Assume you may not come home that day. Even if your solicitor is hopeful of a suspended sentence, pack a small bag of essentials, sort your phone, finances and keys, and tell the people who need to know. Wear something plain and comfortable to court — no belts, no laces if you can avoid them, no valuables.
If you have dependants, pets, a job or a tenancy, write down the practical handover before the hearing. Once you are in the dock you will not get a second chance to make calls.
What Happens in the Court Cells
If a custodial sentence is passed, you will be taken down to the court cells beneath the courtroom. You will be searched, your property bagged and listed, and you will wait — sometimes for several hours — until the prison van is ready. You can usually make a brief phone call through your solicitor or the custody staff. Use it to tell one trusted person where you are going.
The van that takes you to prison is informally known as the "sweatbox". It has small individual compartments. Journeys can be long, particularly if the van drops other prisoners at courts and prisons on the way.
Arrival and Reception at the Prison
You will arrive at a Category B local prison if you are an adult male, or one of the closed female estate prisons if you are an adult female. Reception is a long process: search, healthcare screening, a shower, prison-issue clothing if needed, and an interview about your risks and needs.
You will be asked directly about thoughts of self-harm. Be honest — saying yes triggers extra support, not punishment. The Listeners scheme, run by trained prisoners in partnership with the Samaritans, is available in almost every prison.
The First Night and Induction Wing
You will spend your first night on a first-night centre or induction wing. Cells are basic but you will have a kettle, bedding and usually a television. Your "in possession" property — phone numbers, photographs, books — may take a day or two to be issued.
Over the first week you will go through induction: meeting the chaplaincy, education, work, healthcare, and the offender management team. Use this time to get on the phone list, apply for visits, and register for the prison email service so your family can contact you.
Money, Phone Calls and Visits
You start with a small loan to use on the canteen until money arrives from outside. Family can send money through the GOV.UK "Send money to someone in prison" service, usually within three working days.
Phone calls are made from wing phones or in-cell handsets. Each approved number must be added to your PIN list. Calls are recorded except those to your legal adviser. Visits can be booked online by your family once you have given them your prison number.
How to Get Through the First Few Weeks
Keep a routine. Get up, get dressed, get out of the cell whenever the door is open. Apply for a job or education place as soon as you can — it gets you off the wing and earns you a small wage. Write letters; the post is still the cheapest and most reliable way to stay connected.
Most first-time prisoners report that after the first fortnight the fear settles and prison becomes manageable. It is rarely as violent or dramatic as television suggests, particularly if you keep your head down, pay your debts and avoid drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I go to a prison near home?
Not necessarily. First-time prisoners are sent to the nearest available Category B local prison with space. You can apply for a transfer closer to home once you are sentenced and categorised, usually after a few weeks.
Can I take anything with me from court?
Very little. A small amount of cash, a wedding ring, a phone book of numbers written on paper, and any prescribed medication in its original packaging. Everything else goes into stored property.
How quickly can my family visit?
Usually within the first two weeks, once you have been allocated a prison number and added them to your visits list. Bookings are made on the GOV.UK visits service.
Will I have to share a cell?
In most local prisons, yes — usually with one other person. You will be risk-assessed before being doubled up.
What if I am scared on the first night?
Press the cell bell and ask to speak to a Listener. They are trained prisoners, available day and night, and conversations are confidential.
*Last updated: June 2026.*