Page 68 (1/2)

Linda has worked in the Prison Service for over ten years She has three grown-up children, two sons and a daughter She was ically died of skin cancer a couple of years ago at the age of fifty-three She works long hours and the prisoners look on her much as I viewed my prep-school matron – a combination of mother, nurse and confidante She has no tienuinely ill

815 am

After sick parade, I carry out my rounds to the different parts of the prison to let staff knoill be off work today, before going to breakfast I ask John (lifer) what e

‘It’s always beef,’ he replies, ‘because there are so es’

1000 am

The hospital has a visit fro and alcohol abuse Heanyone who seeks his counsel There are 150 such officers posted around the country, paid for by the taxpayer out of the NHS and the Hoets

Alan is saddened by ho prisoners take advantage of the service he offers In Bradford alone, he estie of thirty are on drugs, and another 30 per cent are addicted to alcohol He shows me the reams of Home Office forms to be filled in every ti, only two inmates out of 211 have bothered to turn up and see him

1100 am

I have a special visit from Sir Brian Mawhinney MP, an old friend whose constituency is about twenty miles south of NSC As a former cabinet minister and Shadow Home Secretary, he has many questions about prisons, and as I have not entered the Palace of Westminster for the past six months, there are questions I’m equally keen for him to answer

Brian stays for an hour, and after we stop going over past triumphs, we discuss present disasters He fears that the Si time in the wilderness for the Conservatives, but ‘Events, dear boy events, are still our biggest hope’ Brian runs over time, and I miss lunch — no complaints

400 pm

Mr Hart passes on a e froed at court Panic I passed theo Mr Hart calls Mr Hocking, who confirms that they were sent out on 29 October Who’s to blame?

500 pm

Canteen Now that I’m enhanced, I have an extra £15 of my own money added to my account each week With my hospital orderly pay of £1170, it adds up to £2670 a week So I can now enjoy Cussons soap, SR toothpaste, Head and Shoulders shampoo, and even the occasional packet of McVitie’s chocolate biscuits

600 pm