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Life After Prison ™/ Text / Ronnie Greubnyk / Pic / Grimzy 27th January 2008 Tosh Martin is seventeen and from Kilburn in north London. He was released from prison in January this year after serving ten months in four different prisons for robbery and use of imitation firearms. Tosh wanted to tell The Cut readers about his experience, and what it has has taught him. Are you a changed person? Yes, in every way really, jail is not worth it. Crime pays and doesn’t pay. You’ll eventually get caught. I will stop robbing people, go to college and study graphic design and get good qualifications. I want to be someone positive. What was it like in jail? Boring, hard, frustrating, long. Time got longer and went slowly. You don’t trust anyone and a lot of people talk rubbish. I missed my family and friends, letters helped but it is not the same. I felt depressed at times because I let them down. What was your daily routine? Breakfast, education, lunch, dinner, gym, bed. There were privileges such as television, pool, eating outside for dinner, which you had to earn this by getting ‘silver’ and ‘gold’. The highest I got was Silver. Any racial conflicts? There were no racial conflicts; there were gangs who fought because they came from different areas. I did see violence as someone nearly got beaten to death, bleeding ears and mouth. It was disgusting. Worst thing that happened in prison? Being in ‘block’ for one week. That meant no TV, all the privileges taken away, not allowed to go outside. I went in there for fighting. The food was terrible; some people would take other peoples food or even spit in it. The curry was the worst. What learned in prison? Not to go back, it is not worth it. I had to learn the hard way. How did it feel being out again? Like a breath of fresh air, free, I can do what I want. My Mum was happy and excited and friends were all knocking on the house door at different times, coming over. Everyone welcomed me home. It was nice to see that people still care. What plans do you have for now and future? Prison opened up my mind, made me smarter. I feel bad for doing the crime. I have decided to study Graphic Design at college and go to university to study animation. I regret the crime. I was going to friend’s house and on the way saw another friend. He asked me “do you want to make quick money” and I said “yes”. Advice for others? THINK BEFORE YOU ACT		Bashy Interview The Cool Kids Lady Lykes Grimes New School Rowdy Superstar Interview The Sound Of Reason Slash Interview Hoxton Vs Hampstead Fashion Young Designers Lucinda Chua Interview Will Kay Interview The Brothers Size Chris Lambert Duane Henry Drug Trafficking Feature Does My Bum Look Big in This Life After Prison Whats Upsetting Our Children MP Julia Goldsworthy Autechre Live In London Hardcore Is More Than Music Media Box Paddington Development Trust The Cut On Myspace