At Wandsworth Prison
Circling clockwise outside for 20 minutes every day – this is what Boris Becker looks like on a daily basis
Boris Becker is allowed to go outside for 20 minutes a day
© Kirsty O’connor/PA Wire/dpa
The difference to Boris Becker’s previous everyday life is immense. There is only thirty minutes outside the cell per day at most and the food is said to be soggy.
He’s the new kid on the block in London and probably the best known. But Boris Becker, like everyone else, has to follow the daily routine and does not receive a celebrity bonus.
On April 29, Boris Becker received his sentence from judge Deborah Taylor: two and a half years in prison for delaying bankruptcy. A few weeks ago, a jury found the tennis star guilty on four out of 24 charges. From the courtroom we went directly to the intended prison.
London, Wandsworth Prison, Block E, 7am: This is how the next two years, five months and three weeks will begin for the Wimbledon champion, should he not be released early for good behavior.
At eight o’clock there is breakfast behind the Swedish curtains. There is talk of cornflakes, a biscuit and toast. But the hour in between is not used for showering. A Wandsworth prisoner is only allowed to do that twice in a week. Only freshening up at the sink is allowed. From his sports bag, which Becker packed especially for detention, he is likely to have kept underwear and shirts to wear under the prisoner’s clothing, as well as a pair of sneakers. The “Bild Zeitung” published these details from Becker’s new everyday life.
Social time or yard walk: Becker has to make a decision
Some inmates are allowed to work during the day. Becker is not one of them yet. So it means sitting, thinking, possibly reading and appearing at one or the other introductory event, such as a library briefing. There should be 30 minutes a day of freedom within the heavily guarded prison walls. Social time is also possible within this half hour, but probably only twice a week. Social time means being allowed to contact other prisoners in the corridors. From time to time, a call to loved ones can also be made during this time. In the past week he is said to have spoken to his partner and his mother.
During a free passage in the prison courtyard, Boris Becker is allowed to move outdoors for 20 minutes. But only in one direction, clockwise. Then it’s back to the cell. Most often, new residents are assigned an experienced inmate called a “Listener,” who is a member of the Samaritans charity. These are often religious and give the inmates stability in their new surroundings.
Boris Becker receives around 12 euros pocket money per week
Dinner is supposed to be at 4:30 p.m., after 7 p.m. no one is allowed to leave their cell. Portions are said to be small and often very soggy. In the past few days, for example, there has been a casserole with minced meat, according to the “Bild”. For the pocket money that each inmate receives, around twelve euros a week, you can buy cosmetics or chocolate.
As the “Daily Mail” published, it may well be that the time in prison could be the last time with a residence on English soil for Boris Becker. He only has German, but not English, citizenship. However, English law provides that criminals who have been imprisoned for more than 12 months should be deported after serving their sentence. Becker has lived in west London since 2012.
Sources: picture, Daily Mail, picture