Founded 1980
Chair:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Graham Smith
Jan Thompson
Graham Mumby-Croft
Issue 78 Spring 2018
Prisons I Have Known (An unexpected Life Inside) by Harry Crew
The notion of developing and publishing the book arose when Harry attended a presentation by Brian Lewis at a Yorkshire Arts charity event. Brian's topic was "A Book In A Day", which encourages communities to recognise their values by putting their achievements in writing. He thought not enough governors had written about their experiences of what, to most people, is a hidden world. Harry took up his suggestion.
Primarily he wanted to give his children more insight into what his work had entailed while they were growing up and also to get across to them that to develop and pursue a purpose in life might ultimately bring, as he had found, real satisfaction. He also wanted to make the point of the differences between working in male and female environments and the worse impact prison has on women.
His book, "Prisons I Have Known (An Unexpected Life Inside)" is aimed at anyone who is interested in a practitioner’s view of working in prison: the unpleasant, amusing and the satisfying. It does not try in any way to explain the purpose or justification for imprisonment. Perhaps, for the reader without any knowledge of the prison system, it might have helped to have explained the reasoning behind the provision of Mother and Baby Units.
His historical references to his family work traditions put a very personal touch to his book.
I had not appreciated how similar our childhood had been despite him being born "within the sound of Bow bells" and I being born in the North East.
I had not appreciated how similar our childhood had been despite him being born "within the sound of Bow bells" and I being born in the North East.I enjoyed the snippets of prison humour. They brought to mind many, many similar episodes throughout my own career. Much of that humour and banter, which helped staff form relationships and get through the day would, sadly, now be considered "politically incorrect". We were able to manage some really damaged people with a laugh and a joke while maintaining that essential barrier.
Like Harry I remember the self examination, prior to taking up my first 'in charge' post, as to whether I would be able to put into practice what I hoped to achieve and his description of the events at Gloucester provided a sad reminder of the very traumatic period of industrial relations suffered by the Service at the time.
Harry comments towards the end of his book "Do I regret my time? No. I am pleased to
have ...........participated at a time when there was a tacit agreement between Home Secretaries of whatever hue that the Prison Service was a Public Service and that Governors were given wide discretion and were expected to lead as well as manage their prisons”. We were fortunate in that we were allowed to use discretion, make decisions and occasionally take chances. I do not believe those currently governing prisons have the same level of freedom.
An enjoyable read. Jim Blakey
The Royalties from this book will be directed to the "Women in Prison"
charity.
