Lynne's son, Ollie has been in prison for three years. In the days leading up to and following Ollie's release, Lynne recorded her thoughts and feelings for Home Truths
Sunday 18th July
"The day before Ollie's release date except that it's not going to happen. It was dependent on Ollie paying off an outstanding fine. The money's there, the cheques are made out to the right people and everything. No one can get hold of them. It's so frustrating. I feel so powerless. I'm not very good company at the moment - I can't think about anything else.
Tuesday night, July 27th
I'm actually collecting my son tomorrow. It feels really odd, and I'm quite nervous about it all, and I'm don't think I'm going to sleep very well. I don't suppose Ollie will. It's an odd feeling, because it feels like I'm picking him up from camp or boarding school - sort of half expecting a parents evening type chat with the governor. I must stop myself asking 'has he been behaving','has been a good boy'.
Wednesday 28th July 11.55am
I'm standing outside the prison, I've just handed over the money. Thank goodness! I was really glad to see the back of it. I'm just waiting for Ollie to come out. My palms have never been so sweaty! I just can't wait to get Ollie out of there now and in the car and home.
8.30pm
I'm totally exhausted. Everything went like a dream. They let Ollie out of a side door, and it was just the most incredible feeling. We just hugged each other. I just didn't want to let go. He said 'you can let go now Mum, put me down!'. So I did eventually.
We got home and we went shopping. That was just something I'd been looking forward to for such a long time - being able to take him into a shop. The shop assistant he said was so nice. The chap was just being polite, but of course he's not used to that. He found everything had diminished in size, because he'd been used to being in a huge shower made for lots of people, and he was now in a small bathroom in a small shower, that kind of thing. And he keeps shutting doors behind him all the time and expecting them to be locked - he said "I'm not used to open doors."
I'm really hopeful for him. I haven't thought beyond today. I had to keep sneaking a look outside when he was in the garden just make sure he was still there."
