Prison Writing No.11 1997
Edited by Julian Broadhead
(self-published), pbk, £4.00
Review by Gerald Houghton (1997)
A quick roll call of Prison Writing establishes the majority of its contributors as current guests of Her Majesty up and down the land, their quarterly rather speaking for itself. But to be specific, it's a collection of okay-ish short stories, solid book reviews and rather ropy poetry from serving prisoners and interested parties.
And if that sounds a little disparaging, then that's because I'm being unfair. Unlike most of the books you'll see reviewed, Prison Writing has an agenda, and if that means by buying it, it engenders in its authors a sense of self-worth or makes you think of them as more than mere Home Office statistics, then its work is done.
And there are several things in issue 11 worthy of more than just my patronising praise. It opens with a fascinating interview with Hugh Collins about his time in Barlinnie Special Unit with Jimmy Boyle (one of the P.W. editorial board, incidentally), and his rehabilitation as a successful artist. There's an excerpt from Blues legend B.B. King's autobiography, in which he talks about playing for the inmates of American gaols (47 at the last count). And a handy cut-out and keep guide to writing and the criminal mind -- from Cervantes to previous cover boy Ed Bunker.
More enthusiastic than skilful perhaps, but four of your English pounds would be far better invested in this criminal writing than that currently being practised by either Grisham or Cornwall.
2003 note: It's still going, edited by Julian Broadhead and Laura Kerr.
Submissions (prisoners only?) to Prison Writing, P.O. Box 478, Sheffield S3 8YX Email prisonwriting@aol.com with enquiries.
Orders to Waterside Press, Domum Road, Winchester, S)23 9NN. Email enquiries@watersidepress.co.uk
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