Review "An excellent source for anyone remotely interested in contemporary British penal policy and practice...gives detailed and comprehensive treatment of prison law, the intricacies of daily prison routine, bureaucratic hierarchies, official reports, and explanations and advice relating to everythingfrom prison visiting rules to factors determining release on parole."--Financial Times Product Description Written by a former prisoner and acclaimed writer, the core of this book is a guide to the prisons of England and Wales compiled using reports from the Inspector of Prisons and questionnaires completed by prisoners and prison staff. Each prison is examined in detail, giving the reader a clearpicture of the facilities available, including visiting hours, workshops, chaplaincy and medical services, wages, education, and sports facilities. Further sections provide advice on legal rights, health problems, welfare and religious matters, discharge grants and release. This work will be ofinterest to anyone who works with prisoners, and to prisoners and their families. About the Author Award-winning author, journalist, and playwright, Mark Leech spent much of his early life in care and, latterly, in prison. His autobiography A Product of the System, was published in 1992 and won first prize in the Chambers Cox Literary Awards.