Parkhurst Tales : Behind the Locked Gates of Britain's Toughest Jails

by Norman Parker, Frank Delaney (Introduction)

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, Norman

Paperback

First published March 16, 1995

About the author

Norman Parker served twenty-four years in multiple prisons across the UK, including the notorious HMP Parkhurst, after being convicted of murder in 1970. While incarcerated, Parker spent long periods of time in solitary confinement. He studied and gained an honours Open University degree, and published Parkhurst Tales based on his experiences in the prison. It became a best-seller, and he has published similar books depicting life in prison. In 2003, he gained a masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Surrey University.

Reviews

[Tanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty shocking read, on the one hand - these people are dangerous criminals and I don't have a lot of sympathy with them having a bit of a tough time in prison. On the other hand I don't agree with torture at all in any form, I find the stories of brutality by the wardens sickening and shameful.

Then again you can't help being drawn in by these characters, you like them, you can't help yourself. Then he tells you something awful about that person and back you go to having no time for them. Then they try to escape and you're rooting for them. Its left my head in a right old muddle.

[Ade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this book many years ago and read it in two days. Norman Parker is an excellent author and sets the scene perfectly as he talks about the highs and lows of his long prison sentence. This is actually the only book I've ever read twice, reading it again last year. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's into true crime etc it's a gripping read

[Declan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining memoir of Norman Parker’s time in Parkhurst Prison. A violent murderer and criminal, he spent 24 years in prison. Very articulately written.

Interesting hearing about the characters that he spent time in prison with including the Kray Twins (one of them was particularly violent and insane), Frankie Frazier and a host of other people. He was part of the London crowd so that’s who he spent most time with. It seemed to be a constant battle between keeping your head down in order to some day get out of prison, to proving your loyalty through violence against the “screws” at the smallest provocation. Although he writes eloquently and thinks strategically, the violence is always bubbling under the surface.

There’s also reference to some Irish prisoners who were members of the IRA. Very different sort to the east-end gangsters but still followed the prisoners code.

After a couple of days where the prisoners refused to go back inside in protest of parole laws, he gets put in solitary, and he does a good job of portraying how the loneliness can make you lose your mind very quickly.

[Geraldine]

Shocking, eye-opening and easy to read.

An interesting journey deep into the toughest jail of Britain. Worth a read!

[Jane Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough reading some of this but a lot really surprised me.

[Ian Fiddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10. A good book but I don't think I would want to read more.

[Michael Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Michelle Brownlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, well written and enjoyable.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book alot