In reply to psychomansam
Hi, not wanting to sound like I'm giving it the big sell, this piece of writing is a very small part in a book which has a strong narrative arc covering the topic you talk.
It has been nine years since I left the Prison Service and twenty-one years since I worked in the punishment block. I would like to think things have moved on, but without a massive cash injection and training and a more enlightened, liberal and sympathetic outlook not only from people managing and working within the Prison Service but more from the 'normal' people on the street I'm not sure they will have.
To Andi,
Hi Andi, if this is your criteria for a good read I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Personally I would not have chosen this chapter, which by the way is shortened, for an excerpt; this is a chapter that comes after an argument for reform and a different way of thinking which balances what is going on in this piece of writing, and later I say that I am not proud to have been involved in this type of thing.
Like I say, not the big sell, but I'm afraid to have the full story and a proper opinion people will need to read the whole book
Cheers Nick, PS, thanks James and Tom