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‘When you get out of here,’ he says, ‘be sure you write it as it is Tell the, the inmates and the officers, and don’t pull your punches’ I’m surprised by the passion in his voice ‘But letyou can’t have picked up in the three weeks you’ve spent with us The turnover of prison staff is now the service’s biggest problem, and it’s not just because of property prices in London Last week I lost a first-class officer who left to take up a job as a tube driver Saave Good luck, sir,’ he says, and locks me in

900 pm

I begin to prepare for my imminent departure Fletch has already warned , just a knock on my

cell door around six-thirty and a ‘You’re on the s ready’ ‘There’s only one thing I can guarantee,’ he adds ‘Once you’ve been down to the reception area you will be kept hanging around for at least another hour while an officer completes the paperwork’

930 pm

I read through the latest pile of letters, including ones fro, the editor of Tatler, who ends with the words, There’s a table booked for lunch at Le Caprice just as soon as you’re out No fair-weather friend he

I then check over the day’s script and decide on an early night

1014 pm

I turn out the light on Belmarsh for the last time

Day 22

Thursday 9 August 2001

440 am

I wake from a restless sleep, aware that I could be called at any tiet up and write for a couple of hours

643 am

I check n of life out there in the silent dark corridors, so I ar Puffs, the last selection in e