Out of the Box: The Story of Leroy Smith

by Leroy Smith

Out of the Box is the story of Leroy Smith, who was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment, for the shooting of two police officers in Brixton in 1993. Out of the Box will take you on a tour of the gangster lands of London, New York and Kingston, Jamaica, before showing you inside the Box that is the British prison system today, where all previous pecking orders, criminal or political, have been superseded by the rule of the Deen, highly organised and disciplined Muslim convicts, who answer to neither gangster nor governor, but only to Allah.Out of the Box will also take you outside of these Boxes and provide you with some eye-opening analysis and insights into the activities of those who rule over us – politicians present and past, such as David Cameron, Michael Howard and London mayor Sadiq Khan.‘Out of the Box is an excellent read, a brutally honest account of the making of a criminal, .which pulls no punches, or makes excuses, just says it as it was. This is a fascinating and valid account of the cost to society when young, damaged lives are not repaired. It deserves to be very widely read. Now out of the box and free, Leroy Smith is setting out on a new and straighter path. I wish him every success. He has more than paid his dues.’Eric Allison, Guardian prisons correspondent

Paperback

Reviews

[Paul]

As a criminologist, I value first-person insight into the many factors that contribute to crime. This is where Smith's book stands out - readers get a real account of the influences that steer those who turn to criminal activity, and how anti-social behavior plays out practically in society. For those who seek to understand what drives crime, it's incredibly helpful to hear from someone who recounts what he's been through in such an open and honest way. For what his book lacks in depth and polish, Smith makes up for in allowing us a very real, raw glimpse of a troubled childhood and early life of crime.

[Giada]

Someone gave me this book yesterday and I finished it today.

I liked it. It is short but goes straight into the point.

I hope this book will go to the hands of the one who are in danger to get into the bad paths.

for the author thank you for sharing your story, bravery, fragility, humanity and knowlegde with us. May you soon be rewarded.

[Prosocial Decisions]

Lacks direction wasn't always easy to see where was going, but a Frank account of the authors mindset growing up as a marginalised young man

[Daz]

A great book , a man who realises his mistakes and finally tries to make a difference .

Enough of a broad outline of prison life and a cautionary tale against going inside.

Brings back South London memories and the effects of drugs , bad government and the poverty and finally hope .