Tales From The Jails

About the Book

Prison life has been well depicted in plenty of books and films, but almost always from the point of view of the inmates. Tales from the Jails tells tales that can only be told by the people who work there, and who make the system work, the Prison Officers themselves. People like Mike Gregory, whose story we partly follow, and a very disparate collection of close colleagues, like quiet and sensible Ken Carter; rough and ready Gavin Crags, Dolly 'Afterbirth' Dolby, and 'Little Shit' Teddy Hardman, almost invisible John Sparks and Bunged-up Barry Penrose.

The uniformed bosses, Chiefs and senior Principal Officers, often remnants of The Raj, or Aldershot's parade ground, in Mike's day, had their own tales to tell. Tales of the 'good old days' when you could give a con a good kicking and no questions asked? Tales which most of Mike's contemporaries took with a pinch of salt. The Governors of yesteryear had been mostly from the military officer class, and their management style lasted until the present day, when accelerated, or 'side door' promotions to Governor grade were the beginning in the downward slide of standards.

Mike and Ken and Dolly and Co. were lucky to serve at H.M.P. Wooten under the last of one of the old style Governors. Colleagues who joined from other jails had different stories to tell. Even so, Mike's spectacular fall from grace, through it ended his career, could have been worse, but for the Governor.

About the Author

Born in 1936 in the old West Riding of Yorkshire, a sister three years younger is now deceased. My mother was a country girl and my Father from mining stock. He was determined that I was not to go into the pits, which surrounded us, and directed me towards steel and engineering. However, the call of my Mother's background was stronger for me so I went for farming and all things rural. Dad relented and helped me to get into Askham Bryan Agricultural College near York, and it seemed that my path was set for life.

I knew nothing at all about prisons or the Prison Service until I was in my late thirties. The story of my life is that I did everyting 'late'-- rugby [first game at thirty nine]; parachute jumping at forty one; serious horse riding, early thirties and joining the Prison Service at thirty nine! About twelve of my fourteen years were 'happy times', but I left at the earliest retirement age, fifty five. Back to the countryside!

My retirement has had its dramatic moments. My three wonderful daughters were spread around the country. I lived in a paradise village when my wife died of cancer in 2000. I also lost my next best friend of seventeen years, my horse, and my cat ditto, and in 2005 my right leg to diabetes. I now look after myself, and I still ride!

Q) How do I ride a horse with one leg?
A) I don't. He has four like Dessert Orchid!