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Strangeways Unlocked
- The Shocking Truth About Life Behind Bars
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble, Neil Samworth
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
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Strangeways Unlocked
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Summary
A darkly funny, harrowing and heartbreaking look at the reality of prison life, with first-hand accounts from men who found themselves on the wrong side of the cell doors.
This audio edition includes a preface powerfully read by the author, Neil Samworth.
Neil ‘Sam’ Samworth spent eleven years as a prison officer at HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways. He has seen it all: from notorious criminals, dangerous gangsters and repeat offenders to those who simply made the wrong decisions. In this shocking page-turner, he tracks down former prisoners and staff, and uncovers the inside story of what life is really like in one of the UK’s most infamous high-security prisons.
We’ll see a prisoner whose unwanted feud with an inmate ends in a fight and the loss of his eye, another who is convicted for theft but leaves addicted to spice, and many who become victims of the IPP system where they find themselves serving indefinite sentences for petty crimes. We’ll see the dark underworld of the prison system, where riots can occur at any time, where the worlds of gangbangers suddenly collide, where class A drugs and contrabands roam. On the other side, we’ll see staff grappling with a failing prison system, while dealing with an inmate who records the highest ever psychopath rating and caring fully for men with mental health issues.
In brutally raw and gripping detail, Strangeways Unlocked gives voice to the people behind the bars and exposes a prison system that is failing them, providing an unforgettable account of a life that many can only imagine.
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What listeners say about Strangeways Unlocked
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- sean
- 21-11-23
very real
tough truths of the real lives of both inmates and prison officers.
great listen and highly recommend
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Michael Sutheran
- 16-01-23
listen to the end
I've listened to both of Sam's books within one weekend, the bulk is factual and intriguing.
Sam sheds light on the inner workings of "our" prison service.
But more importantly sheds light on HIS inner workings
we're all human...
we should remember that, and we should applaud folks like 'Sam' who share their experiences &, dare I say, because of that, struggle with day to day ptsd.
thank you, for being so open & I wish you & your fam great happiness..
keeble is FANTASTIC by the way,
brilliant
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Fuse
- 02-09-23
A stunning gritty story
A great example of how HMP Manchester is failing its customers.
Will be getting the fist book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 16-01-23
Great book
Great book again Neil. Would love you to keep up the good work and another book being done
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- Paul
- 28-06-24
Lessons need to be learned
I’ve listened to both of Sam’s books on his life as a ‘screw’ or PO. And the main message in both is that those that should be listening to prison officers about the job they do aren’t they see it as a job or they’re doing justice in their own way by keeping some who don’t need to be locked up, locked up but doing so by not giving the staff that do the job a decent wage or after care when they leave the job and that’s not right Sam gives you both worlds in this edition which was good to hear and sad at the same time also his thoughts on IPP couldn’t be more on the button I would thoroughly recommend this book and I’ve rather enjoyed Jonathan’s performance narrating both books too. I hope those in charge of the prison system are reading or listening to it also, they might just learn something to help ease the workload of those who do the job.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Den
- 24-05-22
Bleak
I'm from Manchester and knew all the places and many of the problems associated with those areas. I found the 'first hand' recounts of former prisoners, their up bringing, lives
and prison careers, somewhat bleak. I count myself very fortunate to have had no exposure to those experiences. That said it was still compelling listening and I enjoyed it overall.
This is the first book of Neil's bought and I'll be buying others. I watch his YouTube content which led me here. I hope what drives him to do what he does leads to real, tangible changes in our prisons and look forward to listening to his other works.
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- Sarah Baines
- 20-02-23
Great insightful read
Fantastic listen so poignant great insight to prison life now reading the first book class
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- Gemma Crouch
- 18-05-23
Amazing
I’m studying criminology and psychology with the OU and listening to your books is great I used to work on a prison as a civilian staff and agree with everything you’ve written. I’m just about to listen to your podcast and hope to listen to more of your books
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- Rob H
- 11-04-22
A must, great work from Neil Sam worth
If you enjoyed his first book this is a must, i can't wait for his 3rd book, why more authors don't commit there work to Audio i will never know, basically brilliant
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- Anonymous User
- 26-01-23
Fascinating
Loved this book , real insight to prison life . I do agree with the author a lot more needs to be done with kids before they end up down this path as a way of life .
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