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  • The Secret Prison Governor

  • By: Anonymous
  • Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
  • Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (83 ratings)
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The Secret Prison Governor cover art

The Secret Prison Governor

By: Anonymous
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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Summary

An eye-opening, thought-provoking and mind-blowing account from a genuine prison governor of what it's really like behind bars.

How do you bring order to the lawless?

The Secret Prison Governor has spent decades surrounded by every type of prisoner known to man, from petty thieves and common drug dealers to crime bosses and dangerous serial killers.

Since starting as a rookie, he has experienced the reality of the UK's harsh prison system and the hard challenge of ruling those within it.

In his own words, the Secret Prison Governor spares no detail of prison life, whether that's breaking up shiv fights, investigating and crushing vast networks of contraband, negotiating with hardened criminals or dealing with full-scale cellblock gang wars.

This is the brutal truth of what life is really like behind bars.

©2022 Anonymous (P)2022 W F Howes

What listeners say about The Secret Prison Governor

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    2 out of 5 stars

Stories, Not Insights

I thought the point of these "The Secret X" books was to provide real insight into the topic in question. Insight here is thin on the ground until the very last few chapters, but there are plenty of tall tales to entertain.

He advises in the intro that at times you will have to suspend disbelief, and this is definitely true. This presents a series of vignettes, and probably at least half of these stories are highly embellished pickings off the prison grapevine or adaptations of film plots. The other half could be true, I guess?

Every story works cumulatively to paint a picture of our man as one of the most remarkably progressive and intrepid heroes of our times. He single-handedly battles against racism, homophobia, sexism and corruption, raises awareness of mental health issues, actions all modern prison reforms and champions transgender rights. He must have opted to remain anonymous because nobody would really believe the truth that this was actually written by Jesus himself. I for one am glad he chose the UK prison service circa 1990 to 2020 for his second coming.

I caught this in a 2 for 1 sale, so I am not too resentful. Once I reset my expectations, I enjoyed some of the stories.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Short but sweet

Great book, well narrated with interesting content. Would have liked it to be a bit longer though!! Well worth a read

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent! inciteful and mature.

Inciteful and mature. I have recently listened to lots of prison related material and I was beginning to feel a little down trodden by older generation, retired officers attitudes and undertones of bigotry. This book is bueatifully read, addresses issues and explains them. Despite the brick walls and hurdles there are good people in the prison service that fight hard for much needed change with firm but fair reasoning and professionalism to move forward with the times.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A1

Really enjoyed, excellent read, well told, definitely recommend, true to life, prison Governor experience. Without pointing fingers at anyone.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really good read.

Honest and thoughtful reflection of the prison system.

He argues that if we do not treat prisoners humanely and give them hope, then as a society we cannot expect them to come out of prison with nothing and not turn to crime again. He is also rather critical of the corruption that permeates the system from high to low, and the disregard shown to prisoners and prison officers safety, from each other and from government organizations, especially the police and security services.

At the moment this book is free to read for Audible subscribers; however, I would have happily bought it with a credit and not felt shortchanged.

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Superb, honest and inspiring

Pleasantly surprised by this book. Well narration, easy to listen to and page turning. Insightful and thought provoking. Highly recommend

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Enjoyable and honest

very easy to listen to, enjoyable and honest. the author has clear respect for his clientele and a commitment to social justice. refreshingly heartfelt.

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