Belmarsh Bang-up

At the age of 52 Paddy Kane with a previously unblemished record was sentenced to serve in Britain's highest security prison. In a few hours he went from having being a husband, father and grandfather living a suburban lifestyle to a world of daily struggle dominated by major criminals, terrorists and drug barons. At any time over 80,000 people are confined in Britain's penal system and around two million of todays adult population are expected to serve at least one custodial sentence. IT COULD BE YOU!! This book is designed to help people learn the real world of inside prison so if you ever found yourself in the same position, and you'd be amazed how easy it is to be locked up, you could escape with as few scars as possible. Forget what you think you know about prison and what you may have read by career criminals, this book is by somebody just like you who took a wrong path and paid the price. This is what serving time behind the bars of Britain's most secure prison is really like. The games that are played by the Warders to enjoy their small bit of power in the world and some of the games played by the prisoners to make life a bit more durable in a facility which is pretty futile in changing any behaviour of prisoners leaving them normally worse off after their sentence than before. That bit can have some people rubbing their hands together but only until they remember it is their communities these people are let out into again. Unfortunately the ridiculousness of Britain's penal system is laid completely open when you realise that Belmarsh doesn't only cater to the worst criminals Britain has to offer. It is by far the most expensive prison to house convicts yet some of these convicts are serving time for not buying a TV licence, costing the taxpayer literally thousands more than what the crime was ever worth in the first place. You really couldn't make up how poorly thought out and implemented the prison system is, but this book does highlight the many flaws which are carried out everyday to many unwitting customers. The final parts of the book give Paddy some comfort after challenging the system and exposing the lies and double standard employed by so many people who wish to appear better than others in their behaviour yet show themselves not even capable of judging a dog show or running a birthday party.
About the Author: Paddy Kane was a normal family man until at 53 years of age and with a previous clean record he was sent to Belmarsh Prison. Having gone from being a husband, father and grandfather to a convicted criminal was to have a momentous impact upon Paddy who never thought that he would be someone who could be "banged up". Having worked for years as a market trader supporting his family and being very active in community activity Paddy on his release sought to write a book that could help other people get through what is a harrowing and depressing experience. Following his release he continues to work actively in the community and whilst still a husband, father and grandfather he is largely retired.