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      • Social services & welfare, criminology

        Prison Life Writing

        Conversion and the Literary Roots of the U.S. Prison System

        by Simon Rolston

        The first full-length study of prison life writing, this book shows how the autobiographical literature of incarcerated people is consistently based on a conversion narrative, the same narrative that underpins prison rehabilitation. By demonstrating how prison life writing interlocks with institutional power, the book challenges conventional preconceptions about writing behind bars. And yet, imprisoned people often use the conversion narrative like they repurpose other objects in prison: much like the radio motor retooled into a tattoo gun, the conversion narrative is often redefined to serve subversive purposes like questioning the supposed emancipatory role of prison writing, critiquing white supremacy, and reconfiguring what can be said in autobiographical discourse. An interdisciplinary work that brings life writing scholarship into conversation with prison studies and law and literature studies, Prison Life Writing theorizes how life writing works in prison, explains literature’s complicated entanglements with institutional power, and demonstrates the political and aesthetic innovations of one of America’s most controversial literary genres.

      • The Arts

        Hell Unlimited

        Where Shakespeare Met Goethe

        by Joanne Maria McNally

        In short, incisive scenes this novella explores the role of theatre, film, dreams and nightmares in and beyond life in a situation of sadistic imprisonment, and explores the way the inevitable and dramatic unfolding of their oppressors’ horrific plans impact upon the lives of three individuals (who are also artists) and their friendship. The novella has a contemporary feel due to the framing of it in the present and in the form of a talk to an audience.   It opens with the main character, an elderly famous actor known only as Carl, reciting Shakespeare to the walls of a dilapidated barrack. His much younger friend, an acclaimed photographer and cameraman known only as Carl’s friend, and a new arrival to the camp, breaks the illusion of Carl’s apparent spell of madness with ‘his rescue’ of Carl by reciting some lines from Carl’s earlier portrayal of Goethe’s Mephistopheles on the stages in Prague, and by reminding him of their shared friendship and companionship before the terror was unleashed. Simultaneously, the backdrop of evil, and Faust’s pact with the devil is brought immediately into sharp focus, and is omnipresent in various forms throughout as the protagonists struggle with their sense of theatre and reality before and since life in the camp and their own use of illusion, illicit theatrical performances and dreams as a self-preservation strategy during their imprisonment.   Lines from Shakespeare and Goethe’s ‘Faust’ are interspersed with the characters’ own reflections and interactions and lift the characters to a higher plain, and beyond the immediate brutal circumstances and oppression. The slow-moving opening gives way to an ever-increasing momentum as external circumstances plunge the two main protagonists into situations which force them to the edge of humanity.   The work sounds very interesting indeed Patrick Spottiswode, Director, Globe Education The novella also exists as a play (updated by the author between 2011- 2013).

      • Prisons

        Prison on Trial

        by Thomas Mathiesen (Author)

        Explains how contemporary events are changing the boundaries of crime and punishment and increasing the risks to civil liberties and the Rule of Law. This book is intended for those seeking to understand the modern trend towards locking-up people and distils the arguments for and against incarceration.

      • Prisons

        Drug Treatment in Prison

        An Evaluation of the RAPt Treatment Programme

        by Carol Martin (Author), Elaine Player (Author)

        This text provides the findings of a two-year study into the effectiveness of the RAPt treatment programme which enables male prisoners with self-confessed misuse to lead a drug- and alcohol-free life in prison and in the community after release.

      • Prisons

        Introduction to Prisons and Imprisonment

        by Nick Flynn (Author)

        Published in association with the Prison Reform Trust, and one of a series on criminal justice and the penal system, this book covers the History of imprisonment in England and Wales, prison conditions, the prison population, and regimes from reception to discharge.

      • Prisons

        Murderers and Life Imprisonment

        Containment, Treatment, Safety and Risk

        by Eric Cullen (Author), Tim Newell (Author)

        Provides an examination of 'Who Are the Lifers?' (including a 1st/USA comparison). This book covers topics such as: 'The Structure of a Life Sentence', 'The Psychology of the Murderer', 'Containment and Treatment', 'Discretionary Lifer Panels' and a range of ethical and human rights issues.

      • Prisons

        Invisible Women

        What's Wrong With Women's Prisons?

        by Angela Devlin (Author)

        Recreates the realities of prison life for a woman at the end of the twentieth century, as conditions worsen with overcrowding, staff shortages and expenditure cuts. This book describes the over-use of medication as a means of control; the plight of ethnic minority women, and the self-mutilation and suicide attempts of female prisoners.

      • Prisons

        Prisons and the Voluntary Sector

        A Bridge into the Community

        by Shane Bryans (Editor), Roma Walker (Editor)

        From 2002 there has been a major initiative to engage the voluntary sector and wider community in the work of prisons. This work edited by three experts and containing contributions by a range of informed commentators seeks to enable both parties to understand what is involved.

      • Prisons

        Grendon Tales

        Stories from a Therapeutic Community

        by Ursula Smartt (Author)

        Grendon Prison with its 'Therapuetic Communities' of high security 'residents' has remained noted among Britain's prisons. The author was given access to interview residents and prison staff. At times she found the experience overwhelming, but it is her style which allowed her to write about matters which might otherwise prove raw and distressing.

      • African history

        Wash My Bikini

        Working With Voluntary Service Overseas in Zambia

        by Anne Thomson

      • Prisons

        All the World's a Cage

        Dark Days at Steele Road Prison

        by Maggie Marshall (Author)

        Based in and around Steele Road Women's Prison and the lives of the people who are held there and who work there. The book's authentic background, based on Maggie Marshall's direct personal experiences, makes it compelling reading.

      • Prisons

        Prison(Er) Education

        Stories of Change and Transformation

        by David Wilson (Editor), Anne Reuss (Editor)

        A collection of writings about the transforming power of education in British prisons. Edited by two of the leading experts on prison education in the 1st - Professor David Wilson and Dr Anne Reuss, this book is a collection of essays written by leading prison education practitioners and prisoners.

      • Fiction

        The Psychedelic Traveller

        Short Stories

        by ANTHONY JAMES

        A collection of short stories from adventures and fantastic imaginings aroud the world.  Each story is set in a different country, from Brazil to Siberia, from new Zealand to India. Each story is a cameo in itself, each one of a different mood, be it playful, or dark, of conflict or good humour. Stories will remind those who travel widely of the pitfalls and opportunities and remind all the readers that there is nothing more wonderful than this wonderful world and the ppeople in it.

      • Prisons

        Cell Mates/Soul Mates

        Stories of Prison Relationships

        by Angela Devlin (Author)

        This title is based on extensive research by the author into a largely neglected aspect of imprisonment: the development of intimate relationships by "inside" and "outside" partners despite the physical and formal barriers.

      • Prisons

        Going Straight

        After Crime and Punishment

        by Angela Devlin (Author), Bob Turney (Author)

        Includes interviews with people who have 'succeeded' after being in prison. This book looks at a range of criminals including famous, notorious, creative and ordinary people who were prepared to talk about the turning point in their lives - the events which caused them to leave crime behind.

      • Prisons

        Women, Drugs and Custody

        The Experiences of Women Drug Users in Prison

        by Margaret Malloch (Author)

        Explores the approach of HM Prison Service for England and Wales and the Scottish Prison Service to drug users in prison, focusing on the experiences of women drug users, looking at items such as: policies and guidelines; the experiences of women drug users; the views of prison staff; and 'medicalising', and 'criminalizing' of women drug users.

      • Prisons

        Pain and the Pride

        Life Inside the Colorado Boot Camp

        by Brian Block (Author)

        Covers various aspects of the regime at Buena Vista, Colorado. This book contains a comparison based on the experimental regime at Britain's Thorn Cross young offender institution (the British boot camp). It is useful to people and practitioners across a broad spectrum, particularly sentencers and people concerned with prisons.

      • Prisons

        Prison Writing

        A Collection of Fact, Fiction and Verse

        by Julian Broadhead (Editor), Laura Kerr (Editor)

        A collection of writings by prisoners and other people connected with prisons, from the United Kingdom and beyond. This book is published annually in book form and promotes creative writing among prisoners.

      • Prisons

        Restorative Justice in Prisons

        A Guide to Making it Happen

        by Kimmett Edgar (Author), Tim Newell (Author)

        Offering a fresh perspective on the needs of victims, this book explains how restorative justice can be delivered in the prison setting. It is intended to enable prisons and the practitioners who work in and with them to translate the theory into action.

      • Prisons

        The Little Book of Prison

        A Beginners Guide

        by Frankie Owens (Author)

        Winner of a Koestler Platinum Award (judged by author and comedian Will Self). As Frankie Owens writes in The Little Book of Prison (LBP), “Society wants to know about prison life, an interesting place to visit but you wouldn’t want to live there”. An easy-to-read prison survival guide of do's and don'ts. Perfect for anyone facing trial for an offence that may lead to imprisonment, their families and friends. Packed with humour as well as more serious items. Backed by prisoner support organizations. Straightforward and highly entertaining. Frankie started writing the LBP from day two of entering prison as a first-time offender. He had no idea how the system or a prison worked. He was clueless about it all and it was hard for him going in and frightening for the family and loved ones he left behind. The writing began as self-help and as the days progressed it occurred to Frankie that the LBP would prove useful to first-time offenders as well as other prisoners and help them get through what is surely one of the most difficult times in their lives. It also motivated him to get out on the prison wing and find out as much as possible about his new home. There are a lot of books about people in prison, people in far worse places than Frankie was and on far longer sentences. But the LBP is a book about prison not people, and will help new inmates, their friends and families get to know what to expect from the system. The LBP is a masterpiece in comic writing but somehow gets through to people with serious information in a way that more formal texts cannot. Already organizations connected to the criminal justice system are beginning to acknowledge that Frankie Owen’s LBP is an ideal read for people facing the trauma of a first prison sentence. It will also be of considerable interest to other prisoners or people working in a custodial setting. "If people want to know what prison is like it's for them, if people need to know what happens in prison it’s definitely for them". Reviews 'Our awards judges don’t give a Platinum Award lightly, and this book is a winner on more than one level. It is a practical and totally frank introduction to real life in the British prison system - probably the best introduction there is. But it is also a wonderfully human narrative and a sharply argued critique - the wit and wisdom of one inmate who turns out to be a born writer. I was gripped from start to finish - roared with laughter one minute, winced with pain the next, and was left wondering why we have prisons at all': Tim Robertson, Chief Executive, The Koestler Trust 'Absolutely hilarious, I'm not sure it'll ever be standard prison issue but maybe it should be! Packed full of witty and wry observations and some extremely pertinent advice. It is well-structured, easy to read and informative. I hope he continues writing as The Little Book of Prison is something that the general public would love to read as well as a guide book for other prisoners': Koestler Award Judges As featured in The Guardian; in leading prison newspaper Inside Time; in Church Times; on BBC Radio; and around the web, including RSA, The Huffington Post, Sabotage Times. Author Frankie Owens was prisoner A1443CA at Her Majesty’s pleasure until 2 August 2011. If he had been given the information gathered in LBP, he thinks that the first weeks inside would have been better and the learning curve not as steep.

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