• The Little Book of Prisons - A Beginners Guide

I started writing ‘The Little Book of Prison – A Beginners Guide’ from day two of entering prison.  As a first time offender I had no idea how the system or a prison worked.  I was clueless to it all and it was hard for me going in and frightening for the family and loved ones I left behind.

The writing began as self help and as the days progressed it occurred to me that ‘The Little Book of Prison’ would prove useful to first time offenders and help them get through what is surely one of the most difficult times in their lives. It also motivated me to get out on the wing and find out as much as possible about my new home.

So with the book to work on it actually helped me to write to my own family and loved ones to explain what daily life was really like and reassure them that I was OK. It was easiest to tell them it was like Porridge with Ronnie Barker, I think it stopped them worrying the most!

Since coming out of prison I am focused on helping others and sent the book to a handful of publishers that work with ex-offenders. I was delighted when the Managing Director, of Waterside Press responded to my email to say he would like to publish ‘The Little Book of Prison’ in 2012. If this wasn't enough I was contacted by The Koestler Trust to be told that I had won the platinum award for non-fiction judged by the author and comedian Will Self.

The most important thing for me has been learning about the system and having the opportunity to pass that knowledge onto future prisoners and their families. I wish I had been given the information I gathered in the first weeks  as I think it would have been easier for me and the learning curve not as steep.