Maximum Security

by James Morton

Maximum security - the toughest classification in the Australian prison system - exerts a powerful fascination. Housing the nation's worst criminals, the so-called 'intractables', these facilities are settings of violence and despair. Just how rough are these jails within jails, and what's it like to be incarcerated in them?From the brutal regime of colonial Norfolk Island to the sterile cruelty of Jika Jika and Katingal, James Morton, bestselling author of Gangland Australia and Shotgun and Standover , takes us through the history of these sinister places of punishment, which have been home to notorious figures like Mark 'Chopper' Read, Brenden Abbott and Russell 'Mad Dog' Cox.Maximum Security is a gripping and informed account of the infamous criminals, gang wars, riots, corruption, great escapes, brutal bashings and murders - and occasional act of kindness and heroism - that go on in these hidden worlds behind bars.

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the history element of this book very appealing and of course the subject interesting. However I didn't really like the style it was written in, there was a bit of jumping to prisons in different states without any real need. I found the long winded background of various prisoners a bit unnessrcary and it was obvious that Morton is sympathetic to prisoners. I would have liked a more balanced approach with the warders having more say.
Regardless of whether you liked the book or not it would be impossible to say it lacked evidence. I really respect authors who do their research well and Morton nailed that aspect. All though the book you get the sense that Morton really knows what he is talking about. The end notes really help to highlight just how well the book was researched, giving it an almost academic air.