paukinra's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Self harm
Moderate: Racism and Addiction
Minor: Murder
thequeenofsheba3's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Homophobia, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual assault
clotalksbooks's review
4.0
Atkins really adds the human nature to each story, and doesn't shy away from revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nor does he pretend to be a saint surrounded by sinners. The acknowledgement of what being in prison does to those waiting outside was also recognised.
A very interesting, but also entertaining book - didn't make the subject dry and boring, but personal and revealing. Well narrated on the whole, though I did find some of the voices wince-inducing. Overall a worthwhile listen.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
mollywj's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Drug use, Excrement, Alcohol, Addiction, Alcoholism, Dysphoria, Suicide, and Self harm
james495538's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
kfquarium's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Death, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content, Murder, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Bullying, Cancer, Excrement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Chronic illness, and Classism
what_lou_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Suicide and Self harm
havelock's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism
bridget_t's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Classism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
annabarnardwright's review against another edition
4.75
The author is a documentary maker convicted for unintentional tax fraud. His sentence is 5 years although he only actually serves 9 months in Wandsworth prison which is the time detailed in this diary. He befriends other white collar criminals, secures the best cell and the best prison jobs which get him a high status and more time out of his cell than everyone else. Essentially, this is an account of the best possible prison experience (and the author does acknowledge his privilege) and even then it still sounds awful.
This book gives a real insight into the failings of the prison system and how well they’re hidden from the public. I was most struck by the inequalities between prisoners, some were locked in their cells for 23 hours a day while the author seemed to mostly wander around freely thanks to his many jobs. It was so frustrating to read of prisoners missing doctors appointments, family visits and courses purely because of a disorganised system with excessive paperwork and not enough staff to physically unlock all the prisoners on time. There are so many rules and restrictions without any logical reason behind them and many instances of officers simply refusing prisoners their basic rights.
The high level of reoffending shows prison does not work as a crime deterrent. It’s unsurprising after living in inhumane conditions, being treated without respect then released without money, accommodation, employment or a support network, that many prisoners are unable to live within normal society.
Although I really enjoyed this book, I’ve only given 4.75 because of some problematic language used by the author when describing other prisoners, which was unexpected since he frequently refers to himself as a raging liberal.
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt