ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out to understand the effects of early imprisonment. It examines the experiences of 70 young adults, aged eighteen to 21, who have recently made the transition into prison and have been in custody for three days. This research was carried out at HM YOI Feltham, a large remand centre in London, England. 1 I will begin this chapter with a review of the literature on this entry period into custody. I will then provide an overview of the transitional process and will examine the common themes that were evident from prisoners’ description of their experiences at Feltham. These themes include uncertainty, losing control and freedom, separation and loss, and a preoccupation with safety. Although these were common themes, prisoners differed in the degree to which they experienced these aspects of transition and differed in the extent to which they felt distressed. I will conclude by examining what contributes towards psychological distress at this phase of imprisonment.
