Laura’s Story - Family, Fears and Freedom
How do you explain to a 4-year-old that their Aunt is in prison, “where bad people go”? says Laura’s sister. Prisons have historically been seen as institutions for punishing the wrong. But are all the people in prison really "bad"? What do we mean by "bad people"? Then, what exactly are prisons? Laura’s trials, akin to many others, leave us grappling with these questions, reminding us of the hidden cost of mistakes—some of which are born from simple, misguided decisions.
The impact of prisons also extends far beyond the individuals behind bars. They also tear apart families. Laura’ sister shares the emotional toll on those who stand by, helpless, as a loved one is caught in the criminal justice system. It’s a form of grief—a slow-burning, almost never-ending ache that lingers long after the bars are removed.
The story of Laura, caught in a world of misjudgements, is a stark reminder of how easy it is for dreams to spiral into nightmares. Through the voices of both Laura and her sister, we explore the realities of the criminal justice system and the profound impact it has on families.
‘At the age of 21, I landed a job as a Personal Assistant (PA) for a company that seemed legitimate. I had moved to London with big dreams, thinking that this opportunity was my ticket to a successful career. Everyone around me assured me that the company was trustworthy, and I was excited to learn and grow. Little did I know, this job would lead me down a path I never imagined’, recollects Laura.
‘Laura was a very naïve young lady. She trusted in her boss who gave her a dream job with a good salary. She worked as a PA in London, working long hours but enjoying the city life. However, the dream came with a heavy price tag,’ recalls Laura’s sister.
‘As time went on, the company informed me that they had discovered a loophole involving telecoms PLC companies, which had the potential to make a lot of money. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of what I was involved in, but as a trusted member of the company – the director’s PA – I started managing significant parts of the business. I was handling money, accessing his phone and email, and even participating in ‘senior’ management meetings. My role was far more complex than I initially imagined, and I quickly became an integral part of the operations.
But in 2014, everything changed. I was living in a flat in London with two other people when one day, I stepped out of the building and found myself face-to-face with the police. Initially, I thought they were there for something unrelated – perhaps for a simple check of the building. I even offered to keep the door open for them. But I was wrong. They turned the flat upside down, searching for evidence, bringing in money-sniffing dogs. The reality of what was happening hit me, really hard. I was arrested that day, and that was the day my life changed forever.’
‘My parents were on holiday when I received the phone call from the Police to say Laura had been arrested, that minute phone call would change all of my family’s life forever.’
‘At the police station, I sat in a cell, feeling a sense of disbelief. When my solicitor advised me to stay silent and answer "no comment," I followed their advice. I was released on bail, but the waiting game had only just begun. For over three years, I attended countless police station appointments, all the while watching some of my co-defendants face no further action. Each time I went, I thought that the case would be dropped for me too. But then, one day, I received the devastating news: I was going to be charged.’
‘Laura spent three long years on police bail. It was a dark cloud that hung over us all. She couldn’t move on with her life, and I watched my beautiful sister lose her confidence and trust in people. Over time, she also lost a concerning amount of weight.
It was difficult to answer and explain things to others—finding the right time, the right words, felt impossible. Then came the judgment, and with it, a painful distance. Friends began to pull away, and slowly, people started to disappear from our lives.’
‘My legal team advised me to plead guilty, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it knowing I would likely be sent to prison, so I made the difficult decision to fight the charges. This led to a six-week trial in London.’
‘But the worse was to come! The six-week trial in London. It felt a lifetime. You want to make everything better. You want to shout at the defence for ripping your sisters character apart. You want to stop her from crying and take her away from it all. I watched my Mum withdraw as her coping strategy. She could not make the trial. Not because she was embarrassed but because she could not cope. Friends and family did rally round and together we were all able to book different days of to support Laura in London – as nobody was in the position where they could just have six weeks off. But we all agreed we could not let Laura do this alone.’
‘The days I spent on the stand were some of the hardest days of my life. The prosecution tore me apart, twisting my words and intentions. I couldn’t even speak to my legal team while I was on the stand, and that made everything even more difficult.
When the trial was over, the jury took several days to deliberate. Finally, they came back with their verdict – I was found guilty. My world collapsed around me, I was bailed until sentencing.’
‘Then came sentencing. It was over two days. She was remanded that first night so any little hint of a suspended sentence was gone! Laura described the cells in the court as hell holes. The second day was even harder. Laura could not look at us, her family. She stood there in the glass box awaiting her fate, nothing she could do now could change that. I could see how distraught she was becoming. I could see that glass box was closing in on her. She was struggling to sit, struggling to breathe. Then it came…five years and six months. The noise Laura then let out was horrendous, could only perhaps be compared with that of a wild animal. This noise will be one I will never forget. It still haunts me now She then had to be carried away. Her solicitor then came to tell us Laura was put onto what I think was called an ‘Act’ – she was deemed at risk of suicide. She had to have staff check in on her every 15 minutes. My little sister was at breaking point and maybe beyond. That journey home without her was the worst day of my life. I felt numb but also very worried about what was happening to Laura. It was almost like the worst nightmare of my life.’
‘The judge sentenced me to five and a half years in prison. I was devastated. I couldn’t compose myself; I was physically sick, and for a moment, I genuinely thought my life was over. The pain was unbearable. I felt utterly lost. I was put on suicide watch.’
‘Then the day came. Laura was found guilty. She was bailed for around a week. This week came a mixture of emotions and some very low times. Watching Laura spend time with loved ones as she prepared to go to prison. Packing her prison bag. Selling her car. Getting her lovely house rented out. All things you never dream to help your sister do.’
‘Arriving at HMP Bronzefield was overwhelming. High-security, locked behind a door, surrounded by notorious faces – it was a reality I never imagined. I quickly realized that in order to survive, I needed to put on a brave face. I kept my head down, made the most of my time, and worked hard to better myself.
‘Bronzefield- the only Double A prison in England for women. High security. Lockdown. Banging gates. Keys rattling. And some very notorious prisoners. Laura was now living her life with murderers, paedophiles, terrorists. How was this possible? The first visit was a strange one. On one hand I could not wait to see her, to hold her. But what would it be like leaving her? It was a good three hour drive each way – with a two year old! We sat on seats in a huge room, looking around not knowing who had done what. Laura was not allowed to stand up even to play with her nephew, my son.
That brings me onto Eric. He is now 4. Laura is a second mother to him especially as I was a single parent. She often stayed over. Their bond is amazing. Laura was worried sick he would forget her. She has missed out on such important milestones, Christmas’, birthdays, watching him grow and develop. But she does speak to him every night on the phone without fail. Thankfully, their bond is so strong that it has helped them get through the sentence, though it easily could have been a very different story. We were also very lucky in the fact Eric is so young, he was unaware of where he is when he went to visit Laura – he thoughts it is a café. But on the last visit he started to question the gates and being searched. On her Early Release days, Laura got to come home on certain weekends, so Eric never had to go back to prison. I don’t know how I would have told him otherwise, or how he would begin to understand that his Auntie, who he idolises, is in prison where bad people go.’
‘Months later, I was transferred to HMP Drake Hall, where the faces and the regime were new. Starting again in a new place was challenging, but I slowly adjusted.’
‘Stepping into the unknown again. Stepping into the corridors being the new girl with no friends. Not knowing who she could ever trust.’
‘During my time in prison, I focused on gaining qualifications, started Open University, and worked as a peer mentor. Eventually, I moved to the open unit, where I was able to be in the community, working, and regularly visiting family and friends. These were small victories, but they made all the difference in rebuilding my life.’
‘Laura has put her time to the best possible use during her sentence. She has started an Open University course, has completed NVQs in hair, takes part in wellbeing sessions, peer mentors some of the young offenders and this is just to name a few. But even with all of these very positive steps Laura has made, she will still have to prove herself more than ever in society. She will have to start over and work doubly hard. Since being in prison all of Laura’s bank accounts closed. She will have to declare her record when applying for jobs, on insurance policies she will need to take out. Dating – when does she tell a future partner? Two truths and a dare – I once lived with drug dealers, murders and child abusers…..might sound funny but could you imagine trusting a future partner who had spent time in prison? Laura will have to hope someone will one day trust her. It will take someone very special. One day she may go on to have her own children – when or how will she ever tell them that ‘mummy has been in prion’? All things ahead of her. ‘
‘Upon my release, I was determined to make a difference. I started working at a charity that supports people with experience in the criminal justice system, and over time, I worked my way up to a managerial role. It helped me give a sense of a new beginning and purpose.
My journey has been long and difficult, but it has made me who I am today. And, throughout all of it, one thing has remained constant: my passion for mental health. The emotional and psychological impact of going through the justice system was heavy—not just on me, but on so many others I saw suffering in silence behind bars. Having witnessed the profound impact of mental health challenges firsthand, I am committed to helping others who experience similar struggles.
This passion has recently led me to join Unlock My Life, a project that helps people navigate life in and after prison. My purpose is still unfolding, and I know I have more to give.’
‘Some people ask me to describe how it felt when Laura went into prison. The only way I can describe it is a very similar way to bereavement. I do comprehend that I have not lost Laura and that she will be home. But still, those feelings of loss and pure hell are there. I really hope that nobody here ever has to feel this way or will ever put their family through it. I did not ever think about the impact a sentence had on a family member until it was me.’
Laura’s journey has been nothing short of a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience. The challenges she faced only fuelled her determination to transform her life and make a positive impact on others. With all her inner resources and the unwavering support of those who cared for her, she rebuilt has her life and continues to advocate for those who need it most.
She is a woman grounded in love and purpose -- a proud mother and a project lead at Unlock My Life, where she now uses her own experiences to help other prisoners rebuild their lives. Her story is one of hope, healing, and the incredible capacity of the human spirit to rise above adversity.