This book is an attempt by the author to give us a brief human insight into life behind bars in one of our penal institutions.  It is written from the perspective of someone who has walked the walk with the prisoner for twenty years and now questions the effectiveness of our criminal justice system. She is an advocate for a Restorative Justice System and sees this model as the way forward. She argues that true justice lies in healing for all involved in criminal behaviour, including victim, perpetrator and society.

The second part of the book hears the voices of the prisoners in emotionally charged reflections on the reality of life within a prison cell.

The author challenges the use of prisons to deal with addictions, mental health issues and homelessness.Where prisons are needed, as they are for a small cohort of people, they should be open institutions dedicated to rehabilitation based on the needs of the individual and on societal needs of the time.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• PART ONE
  • Chapter One: Personal Connections
  • Chapter Two: Introduction to Prison Life
    • Chapter Three: Ordinary People
      • Chapter Four: ‘Should I Stay or Should I go?’
      • Chapter Five: Prison as a Last Resort
    • Chapter Six: Prison Changed Me
    • Chapter Seven: Families
    • Chapter Eight: Prison in a Pandemic
  • Chapter Nine: We Need a Conversation
  • PART TWO
    • Alone And In Isolation
    • The Waiting Room
    • Even In Death
  • When He Is Ready
    • I’m In Prison When He Is Out
  • The Post Office
  • The Grave
  • The Happiest Man In The World
  • Where Do I Belong?
  • Life Means Life
  • The System Is The Punishment
  • There Is Only Me
  • He’s The Only One I Have
  • The Photographs
  • Imprisoned On The Outside: Free On The Inside
  • This Is How I Cope
  • Silent Emotionless Grief
  • Nothing Nobody Nowhere
  • Where Is He Now?
  • The Babe In The Womb
  • When Did I See You In Prison And Not Visit You?
  • At What Time Did She Die?
    • Rest In Peace
      • They Won’t Know Who They Are
      • This Is Where I Feel At Home
    • May You See Your Children’s Children
    • I Was Sick And You Visited Me
    • She May Be Dead
  • Life After Prison?
    • Forget
    • Endless Waiting
    • Alone
    • Abused And Abuser
  • Do This In Memory Of Me
    • Holy Thursday Night
  • Silent Night, Holy Night
  • The Letter
  • The Court Room
  • The Unanswered Letter
  • This Is It
  • I Became Somebody
• Conclusion