'''Inside Man: Life as an Irish Prison Officer'' by Philip Bray

eroo

http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/Ecom/Library3.nsf/CatalogByCategory/5AC7A63CB36ED37B8025745E0052F86D?OpenDocument

Philip Bray joined the Irish prison service in 1977, working in Limerick Prison. At the time prisons were places where pillows, blankets and even food were scarce. Most prisoners were illiterate and luxuries such as television and books were unheard of.
Philip's story of the changes in the prison service charts Ireland's first female high-security prison in Limerick, a place where wealthy Englishwoman-come-IRA-operative Rose Dugdale's pregnancy went unnoticed, while Limerick Prison's cells were filled with leading Republican figures and later notorious feuding Limerick families and the 'Dublin Mafia', whose imprisonment fuelled a violent protest.

Philip offers a bridge between the Ireland of yesterday and the Ireland of today in this intriguing account of life in the prison service in one of the most turbulent eras in recent history.

There was a an extract from the book in today's Sunday World. I think this is going to be well worth picking up! I think a book like this will open people's eyes to the realities of the Prison Service. About time imo.

Ronan H

Sounds interesting. I will try and pick up a copy. Thanks for the recommendation...

Head

djtechnics1210

Did you read the extract in the paper today (think it was sunday world) it was about the prison officer that was attacked on a landing by 3 prisoner, he was held down by 2 of them and the third slit his throat with a stanley blade and tried to drag him to a cell to finish him off, it was only for the officers quick thinking and strength that he was able to fight them off and escape through a security gate - absolutely terrifying that this sort of thing could happen to a prison officer. Its a miracle the man wasn't killed.
*it did state that this happened in the 90's when prisoners were allowed to have razor blades in prison for shaving - they are now not permitted to have razor blades such as those, which is a relief

Ronan H

Didn't read that extract myself but I certainly admire the work they do. Putting aside all the conjecture you hear about what goes on and what doesn't go on inside prison walls, there's one thing for sure and that's the high level of risk to personal safety / welfare etc... That's a lot to ponder about when you get up in the morning to go to work. A lot of people wouldn't do it, and don't, but for those who do, I say fair play...

Head

eroo

djtechnics1210 wrote: »

Did you read the extract in the paper today (think it was sunday world) it was about the prison officer that was attacked on a landing by 3 prisoner, he was held down by 2 of them and the third slit his throat with a stanley blade and tried to drag him to a cell to finish him off, it was only for the officers quick thinking and strength that he was able to fight them off and escape through a security gate - absolutely terrifying that this sort of thing could happen to a prison officer. Its a miracle the man wasn't killed.
*it did state that this happened in the 90's when prisoners were allowed to have razor blades in prison for shaving - they are now not permitted to have razor blades such as those, which is a relief

Or 'the Garryowen Smile'. NASTY!

Dave!

Sounds pretty rough

Is the author retired now? If he's not, he'd hardly be able to be completely candid could he? There seems to be a degree of cooperation between the prisoners and a number of screws, which would explain the abundance of drugs and the likes (what's the word I'm thinking of? 'propaganda' is coming to my head... possibly sounds like... but obviously means totally different to...)

Should be an interesting read anyways.

eroo

Yes he is retired.

djtechnics1210

eroo wrote: »

Yes he is retired.

Would i be right in saying he's the first prison officer to write a book about prison - lots of prisoners have told their stories but i don't think a prisoner officer ever has

eroo

djtechnics1210 wrote: »

Would i be right in saying he's the first prison officer to write a book about prison - lots of prisoners have told their stories but i don't think a prisoner officer ever has

I would believe so. I have yet to find any books from the Prison Officer's point of view.

lanciadub

There is at least another one book written by a retired officer, cant think of the name of it though written by an officer from mountjoy and published about 7 or 8 years ago. If you're into this sort of stuff pick up a copy of "holding the key" written by a journo who goes through training and works for a year in sing sing in NY. A right good read.

Hairyass

The book was called "From the Horses Mouth"
If I remember rightly it was written as a novel set in a fictitious Irish prison.
In reality, most of what was written happened in Mountjoy and is true.
I didnt know the officer personally, but we did walk the same landings. And he is retired.
Nice one Dave:rolleyes:

480905

The book "From the horses mouth ,A Jailers tale", was written by Bill Bradshaw and is still available .if you are having any difficulty finding it try bookfinder.com and type in ISBN 1412024439.

Trojan911

eroo wrote: »

There was a an extract from the book in today's Sunday World. I think this is going to be well worth picking up! I think a book like this will open people's eyes to the realities of the Prison Service. About time imo.

Got it last year as a present, good eye opener of a read & I know his old Guv'nr.....

Another good read is "Get up them steps" by Tim Doyle.

A Kerryman who joined AGS in 1966 and served in Dublin. He was still a serving member up to 1997 when the book was published.

noel32

great read,

deadwood

480905 wrote: »

The book "From the horses mouth ,A Jailers tale".

Try "From the clothes horses mouth, A Tailors Jail"

Basically, they go around measuring each others inner seams and holding pins between their lips.