Life Inside: The Hard Reality of Prison and What It Takes To Survive

by Linda Calvey

'One of the best books about prison I've ever read' Kimberley Chambers

A chilling look into the brutality of life behind bars and what it's like to be locked away with some of the world's most dangerous criminals.

Widely known in the criminal underworld as the 'Black Widow', Linda Calvey spent the first half of her life running with the UK's top gangsters, robbing banks and rubbing shoulders with the Kray twins. That is, until, in 1990, her lover Robbie Cook was murdered at point-blank, and she found herself falsely convicted.

Linda was sent away for decades, and would go on to become Britain's longest-serving female prisoner. This is her story of life inside, and how she learnt to survive the many years she spent behind bars.

Detailing the systems, characters and rules of prison life, as well as her encounters with notorious criminals Charles Bronson, Rose West and Myra Hindley, Linda gives a full account of her time locked up.

Featuring stories of fights, riots, dodgy dealings and what happens when a prison officer gets taken hostage, this is a gritty and eye-opening look at prison life from a woman who has seen it all.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Audiobook, Memoir, Biography

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2024

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really not sure what to put here- on one hand it is very well written and interesting, but on the other hand the apparent complete lack of self awareness runs through the book- are we supposed to feel sorry for Linda? A woman who continued to associate with gangsters throughout her sentence, despite her claims they were all now reformed characters? Come off it!!
A very strange book

[Becci May · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Aniqah Buckingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I have to say is Linda Calvey is an incredible woman. She is so strong and courageous, and never lost her beautiful character even through over 25 years of her life being in prison

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say I do hope u have the most amazing life Linda enjoy ur lovely family xx

[Joyce Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book left me with a bad taste in my mouth. The fact that she had so little remorse for being an armed robber because ‘it was just the post offices money and nobody got hurt’! Really? No thought for the trauma she put her victims through by holding them at gunpoint. Instead we get her whining about the lack of coffee, the fact she doesnt eat mince etc etc.
what a pityfest! Gave up halfway through when she was back in prison for murder.

[Rich ✧ ✭ ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently finished her memoir, I just had to indulge in Linda’s latest book which gives you a powerful insight of what prison life is like.

There are two sides to this book. Firstly; it serves as an addition to her memoir, giving readers a detailed account on those years she was incarcerated in HMP; It also details how her 2 lengthy prison sentences affected her family relationships, particularly with her mum, siblings & children. I had unanswered questions from her first book on how her family felt about her sentence & how they stayed in touch. Linda did a thorough job at giving a vivid account of the distress it caused for her children, the guilt she felt for her victims and her family, and how they stayed in touch during those years. Insightful, raw and sad is how I can sum it up. I would add for any interested readers that you don’t need to have read her first book at all. Linda recounts the relevant years leading up to her incarceration and this is very much a book about prison life rather than Linda’s life on the outside.

Secondly, it’s a brutal account of prison life with insights into daily routine, hierarchy, fights, addictions, families separated, suicides, dodgy-dealings and infamous names like Myra Hindley and Rose West.

Having spent decades behind bars, Linda is best placed to expose harsh realities and also provide an extraordinary, in-depth look into how women live behind bars. From being on remand, life on the wing, jobs, education, celebrating christmas, legal preparations and reforming - There’s so much detailed. I have a real curiosity about the hidden world behind bars and this really gave me a shocking glimpse into Linda’s life whilst serving a sentence in HMP.

There’s a real warmth to Linda and she’s full of humour too. The regular ‘Hello Darling!’ during the stories gave me a strong maternal impression, an approachable and loyal person.

Now a free woman, she’s living a well-lived life with her family and is establishing herself as a best-selling author as well as supporting various charities.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Linda Calvey doesn't mess about. She tells her story as it happened.
When her first husband, Mickey Calvey, was killed, leaving a wife and two young children,
Linda Calvey makes the conscious decision to become an armed robber. She and her cohorts targeted Post Offices, but she was caught, tried and sentenced to seven years. Eighteen months after being released, Calvey is on remand, charged with murdering her lover. She's convicted, despite proclaiming her innocence. The real murderer was also convicted.
There are many anecdotes of prison life throughout the book. Some are gruesome, but a lot made me smile. Linda Calvey tells of meeting Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, and also Rosemary West. Both these women were disliked by Linda Calvey and a lot of her fellow inmates.
This book fascinated me from start to finish. It made me realise just how I would be bullied, should I be stupid enough to go to prison.

[Lily-Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

The true story of a remarkable woman suffering the tribulations of life after grief. A touching recount of how stricken with the loss of her husband, Linda Calvey fell onto the same path he left, crime. Locked up in cells surrounded by felons, Calveys remarkable strength and determination to return home to her kids shines through every word. After facing a difficult, long setback, Calvey finally gets to live life outside the grey of prison walls. A truly extraordinary story of what’s its really like inside, speaking on the endlessly failing justice of prisoners and the stigma that drags with you after your sentence ends. We get to see the ups and downs of family life and the honest recounts of a locked up life. It makes you appreciate all the small things we really do take for granted, the small luxuries of soap, nice food, a comfy bed and being surrounded by family. Powerfully written and a must read by all.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times this read like a fairy tale; almost unrealistically positive and comedic. Maybe she really was that positive throughout her prison journey, but it read like someone telling a story through rose tinted glasses,
which to me made it feel less authentic. Perhaps that is just her personality (always look on the bright side…), but it undermined her suffering. There are many times she mentions the harsher side of prison life… but these are fleeting and skimmed over. Which I feel doesn’t give a ‘true’ picture of ‘life inside’ and ‘the harsh reality of prison’, as the title suggests.
I also got the sense that she was almost boasting about knowing these big-time gangsters and criminals. Like ‘celebrity’ name-dropping. Which didn’t paint her in the nicest light, however, it was at least more authentic.
Overall, an interesting read. I was just expecting something a little more gritty and real.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Linda Calvey, the wife of an infamous gangsta in the east end, sentenced to prison for armed robbery - shares her experience of prisons, prison life, life in the criminal underworld of the east end and more. Linda’s story is anything but straight forward, as life in the underworld often leads. The ‘Black Widow’ reveals all.

My review:
I’ve always had a particular interest for both prison life and the gangsters of the east end of London in the era of ronnie and Reggie Kray so this book was an obvious choice for me. Linda’s story was certainly intriguing - once you think you’ve read the worst of her story there’s yet another hit. At stages however, I did feel the impact of a biased narrator but that’s completely a personal opinion

[Flapper72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Calvey was married to a London gangster. He was shot by the police. Her social circles was mixing with criminals. She was arrested and charged with armed robbery (which she accepts she was guilty of). The book tells her time in prisons (and there were many) her brief period free and then being incarcerated for 17 years for a crime she says she didn't commit (and, because she refused to say she was guilty her sentence was long). I listened to the audiobook read by Calvey and really enjoy it. We hear about prison, the relationships she formed, meetings with Myra Hindlely, phone calls with Reggie Kray, and how she missed her family. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed reading the book but hearing the author reading her own story of her life spent inside was very enjoyable.

[Maria Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this book but…..

I did enjoy this book and she seems a lovely lady who has suffered a huge miscarriage of justice my only criticism would be when she claims at the start stuff like she didn’t know prison guards were called screws even if she didn’t come from a criminal background she would have heard this as it’s pretty common knowledge. I’m from the east end myself and my brothers were pretty infamous so that part was hard to believe however, I’m so glad I stuck with it, it was worth it she is an amazing writer and I’ve preordered her latest book and would recommend all of them including the locksmith and The Game good luck Linda

[Edwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiographical work by one of Britains most notorious female prisoners, who spend decades inside different prisons. Her descriptions of entering the prison system and adjusting to it are raw and interesting. Once the years start to add up, the book becomes more of a series of short stories, with famous criminals flown in for good measure. It also becomes an attack on the system, as she keeps saying she is innocent. While I can't judge her innocence, I can see that she has written parts of a great book and parts of a not so great one.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best accounts of being in prison I have ever read. I can't believe poor Linda did all that time inside for a crime she never committed. I am so glad she has a wonderful family who have been there for her and stuck by her. It must have been the hardest and worst feelings when you were in the same prisons as Myra Hindley 3 times and at one time you had to put up with both Rosemary West and Myra Hindley. I really like how open, honest and truthful your account of prison life in the different institutions and that you highlight the good and the bad.

[Lesley Pories · Rating 4 out of 5]

A read that feels pleasantly light, which is ironic considering the topic. Calvey reviews her life in the British prison system with clarity, precision, and what I believe was probably some detachment to protect the readers from things they won't understand if they haven't been inside themselves.

Not a UK native, I was not overly familiar with all the criminals referenced and occasionally paused to look them up - helping me learn more about my new home. Interesting to reflect on those components of a shared national history and culture...

[Jay Lamerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished within 2 days. Was extremely gripped to this book. I’m someone who watches a lot of prison shows, so I figured I’d enjoy reading about someone’s actual experience, and I really did. It differed greatly from what I expected, but still gave me enough insight into the reality of prison in the U.K., I felt like I was able to put myself in Linda’s shoes. It was heartbreaking to read about the almost 20 years of incarceration for a crime she didn’t commit, but to know she kept hope and became a free woman in the end was refreshing.

[Miss P S Lazenby · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this!! eyeopening & honest

After hearing an interview with Linda on radio London I decided to download this book, what a fantastic read, a very insightful read, so interesting and Linda’s style of writing really made you feel like you were living her journey. Bless you Linda, what a life, but she has shown true grit & strength throughout , thank you for a great read & would recommend 100%

[Imogen Hodges · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book read on the prison system written by a former female prisoner - I previously had no knowledge of this author. Was interesting but did feel slightly rushed at the end with big jumps between years. Enjoyed hearing about the different prisons she was in - although noted that the author liked to name drop lots of notorious gangster or criminals such as Myra Hindley, Reggie Kray and Charles Bronson. Unsure which account of the murder I believed - the authors or the CPS!

[Emily RB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life Inside is an engaging and well-written account that offers a detailed glimpse into prison life from Linda Calvey’s perspective. While I found it interesting, I couldn’t help but feel I’d have preferred to hear more from the other side; the people who may have been “bullied” or negatively affected within the prison system. It’s a compelling read, but I was left wanting a more balanced viewpoint.

[SUSAN HUGHES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A well written book giving an incite not only into the state of our prison system but the shocking and immature behaviour of the home office , I believe Linda when she says she was fitted up by the police ,There is no doubt she was being punished again for her earlier crimes . It was a long road to freedom brilliantly written, a real eye opener.

[Holly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really found this book so interesting around life in a prison. Poor Linda. She seems such a kind person and obviously she knows she made mistakes

I think the prison system has come on over the years as she explained what she could and couldn’t have in prison. More of a home from home now

I really hope Linda is doing well!
Congratulations on the book!

[Kirsty Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book! I’ve read a lot of prison books, from both the officers and the prisoners point of view and this was hands down the best one I’ve read. An interesting insight in to the different ways prisons run, and whilst there are some name checks on this famous prisoners we all know, it didn’t feel overall dramatised, just genuine.

[Kirsty Rumble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It really opens your eyes to the reality of UK prisons especially for woman and the injustice and inequality that they face. She has another fiction novel out and I can’t wait to read it. She has had a hard life but Linda Calvey has truly turned it around for herself

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda has such a good way of writing books. The sentence that she received was way to harsh for a crime she didn't commit. As with many in the gangster underworld she was protecting someone else. Glad to see that she is now living a happy life and look forward to her next book being released

[Rosie Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the prison system. At times I forgot I was reading Linda’s story. She writes with passion and conviction (pardon the pun). She has highlighted some of the injustices that can occur but also spotlights how important family and friends can be.

[Liv Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, having an inside look into womens prisons between 1986 and 2009.
LindaCalvey was imprisoned in 1986 for armed robbery and received the longest sentence (that wasnt a life sentence) ever to be given to a woman.
She served approx 3 years, mainly in HMP Holloway.

In 1990 Linda was sentenced to life, with a minimum tariff of 7 years after being found guilty of murdering her then partner. Linda denies this conviction to this day.
Despite being handed a minimum tariff of 7 years, Linda ended up serving nearly 19 years.

This book narrates Linda's time in numerous female adult states, and the meeting of several notorious criminals such as Myra Hindley, Charles Bronson and Rose West. To name but a few.
Would highly recommend.

[Kelly West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook on this was ok enjoyed it but was expecting few more tales really on Myra and rose

[Coyney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

[Donna Louise Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm now a real fan of Linda Calvey

What happened to her is shocking! All that time. A life missed because of our lazy vindictive police! Boils my blood

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not find much of this drivel believable in the least. In fact, I don't believe I have ever heard such a sanctimonious "poor me" story before this.