The Ballad of Rochester Jail
M. A. Sloane
Having read it
★★★★☆
Honest, humorous, insightful, scathing and revealing – just some of the adjectives possible – that can describe an insightful and legitimate book at telling a real, personal story of prison and life around it.
Being truthful (your honour) not every word was read and, although it has no ‘official’ publisher (and could have done with some editing and chapters to help its narrative and pace be a little more conducive to turning the page) it is well worth reading.
Three out of five for its not-easily-read-in-a-sustained-and-interested-fashion book style, despite being observant and written pretty well.
However, five out five for its perspectives and being part of the lexicon of (potentially) raising and better involving proper political, state and social interactions with and responses to crime, prison and justice.
A good passage
1210hrs. Just had my last lunch. Banged up now with my little mate Martyn whose nose is covered to alleviate the smell of the super shit I just let loose. This is prison life. On my return to the wing the Amazonian goddess Ms Slane said:
‘Sloaney, oh no, I can’t believe I’m not gonna see you again, come here,’ and this great, very brave and very bright young officer actually gives me a squeeze. It makes me once more feel emotional. Despite all its woes, Rochester has much good within its walls and the staff on this wing are brilliant. Full stop. Every one of them. Some morons will say ‘all screws are cunts’ by sheer point of fact they work in the field but that is ignorant tripe. If you want help and are willing there are, in every jail, good caring decent officers there for those wishing to truly change their ways. They have gone above and beyond for me, both on the landings, at the unit and, oh, also at the gym. And in the services trying to help addicts like me. Give more investment and the problems highlighted in this document can be rectified.