Name and Number: Based on a True Prison Story - Softcover

Hoskison, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1492971332 ISBN 13: 9781492971337

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013

Synopsis

Art student Nick Wood risks selling a few Ecstasy tablets at a party to impress friends and ends up with a two year prison sentence. Nick hopes to spend his sentence in an open prison, the type he's read about in the papers. The ones often referred to as 'holiday camps'.

Instead, his worst nightmare comes true. Locked up in HMP Blackthorpe, a prison known for its medieval-like squalor and brutal violence, Nick lives at the mercy of the drug barons and in fear of the lifers. Constantly stalked by danger he has to find a way to survive in the prison rife with heroin. To earn protection money he turns to the one thing he's good at - art. But can selling pictures to visitors be enough to keep the mob at bay? Or will he be made an example of by the hard men and suffer the worst type of prison punishment?

This is a must read for anyone thinking of taking an unnecessary risk. It's particularly important for young people to understand that risks have consequences.

Based on the experiences of the author.
In October 2013 John Hoskison sat on the panel of the Ofsted Conference on Prison Education in Wormwood Scrubs Prison.  The panel was made up of Baroness Sally Morgan, Sir Michael Wilshaw, (Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education), Nick Hardwick, (Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons) and Nicola Padfield, (Master of the Law Faculty Fitzwilliam College - Cambridge). 
It was agreed that prison education is simply not working.  In a staggering report, only 18% of prisoners felt they were supported by officers when it came to education.  It is no surprise that the re-offending rate in 2013 remains unacceptably high.  

About this title

About the Author

John Hoskison was a successful professional golfer. In 1992 he led Europe against the USA in the PGA Cup matches. However, in 1994 he broke a discipline he had maintained for 20 years and accepted a drink before driving home. On the short journey home he hit and killed a cyclist and received a three year prison sentence. John was able to survive the regret and remorse  by the incredible forgiveness of the widow, who knew John's actions were completely out of character.

Since John was released from prison, he has spoken at over 300 schools, to over 100,000 pupils, about the need to say 'no' when necessary, whether it is to do with drugs, alcohol or simply speeding in a car. He has also spoken to judges on the Judicial Studies Board and many prison governors. Over the last few years he has spoken in prisons, young offender institutions and secure units. John now spends his time motivating people to turn over a new leaf, writing books, teaching golf and very occasionally competing in tournaments.

Review

This book should be required reading for all young people. With all the temptations that face them, they must be made aware that taking silly risks can have dire consequences.
Former Headmaster - Quinton House School

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1492971332
• ISBN 13: 9781492971337
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 172