Probation, Eviction and Prison

Got Diana to the Probation Office early and was politely told to take a hike. Diana said not to forget to come back.

I was acknowledged by a restless man who didn’t sit beside but eventually asked was I there to see an officer. No, I was waiting for an old reprobate who was. Jimmy was tagged and at thirty-five giving up his life of crime.

Diana walked out on the interview but not before it was finished. She thought the probation officer schizophrenic himself the way he’d asked questions and didn’t like the questions he asked, worse than any a psychiatrist asked, about trauma on being separated when two from her mother. She had to have a fag of course.

Jimmy thanked me.

When we got home, Yvann’s flat was shuttered off, windows and door, to prevent squatting by him or anybody else.

I caught the fast train to Clapham Junction and another to first stop Earlsfield. I exchanged change for a pound coin that worked the locker. I haven’t quite got the hang of using it efficiently, forgetting to put in the scarf again. I reconnoitred the lavatory in the centre this time. Pockets empty, I didn’t have to take off a lighter hoodie before the search. There were fewer people than on a Saturday and the door to the prison proper was open. Assembled on the tarmac, we were told by one guard to move forward and by another not to. “Make up your mind!” was shouted by several. A woman found the stairs difficult.

I bought John a bap he didn’t like and three chocolate bars to make up the £5, all but 35p or so. He’d seen his solicitor and his barrister who’d already asked to be apprised of what she had. Liz wisely didn’t want to push things at any parole hearing which Jimmy had said wasn’t likely soon because of the breach of trust, according with what Liz had thought. John said each case was different. He’s being put on a bricklaying course rather than the one for the St Giles Trust, to help ex-prisoners.

He thought, since Bob was on the stairs swearing at the police, it’d been Tina let them in. “She hasn’t said anything.” “She wouldn’t.” “I’d’ve let the police in too.” Only the blonde had he induced to see if I was all right; the other two police went along for something to do.

The woman said she was fed up with this, visiting. Her prisoner was in for possessing a replica gun which was actually hers but he’d taken the rap for her.

John had suggested going back by Wandsworth Common station so I did, following his directions and a woman’s and young man’s on the way. It was a mile away but a good walk on a relaxing sunny day.

Diana said Tina said Yvann was rude to her in Twickenham and had thought to call the police. He blamed her more than Rodger for the eviction, ‘Really a white woman with a black mask.’

Diana had locked herself out of the bathroom. There was no point my going in the window since no handle on the inside. I escorted her for her benefit. She buzzed me to let her in. At the door she said she’d locked herself out. The bathroom window was open but no point. The front windows looked closed but one was closed to and using her garden chair I was in in a trice.