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Inside (One Man's Experience of Prison) A True Story
This is a true story of a journey to hell and back.
In 1994 John Hoskison was a highly respected and successful professional golfer. One evening he shattered his world when he broke a discipline he had maintained for twenty years and accepted a drink before driving home. This single moment of weakness had tragic consequences. On the short journey he hit and killed a cyclist and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.
Devastated by his actions Hoskison was thrown into an unimaginable world of regret and remorse. He knew he would never escape the pain he had caused and thought a prison sentence totally justified. Only one thing saves Hoskison - the incredible attitude adopted by the widow. The story describes the forgiveness he receives which acts as a catalyst for his survival.
As a first time offender Hoskison was led to believe he would spend time in an 'open' prison, the sort he had read about in the papers. Instead he spends his time in some of the toughest prisons in Britain.
The story grips from the start when Hoskison swaps the safety of green fairways for the medieval squalor of HMP Wandsworth, where drug taking and violence are rife and prison officers can throw victims to the hard men.
This book is much more than a story of crime and punishment. It is a true tale about how quickly our lives can be shattered by taking a risk - just once.
In 1994 John Hoskison was a highly respected and successful professional golfer. One evening he shattered his world when he broke a discipline he had maintained for twenty years and accepted a drink before driving home. This single moment of weakness had tragic consequences. On the short journey he hit and killed a cyclist and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.
Devastated by his actions Hoskison was thrown into an unimaginable world of regret and remorse. He knew he would never escape the pain he had caused and thought a prison sentence totally justified. Only one thing saves Hoskison - the incredible attitude adopted by the widow. The story describes the forgiveness he receives which acts as a catalyst for his survival.
As a first time offender Hoskison was led to believe he would spend time in an 'open' prison, the sort he had read about in the papers. Instead he spends his time in some of the toughest prisons in Britain.
The story grips from the start when Hoskison swaps the safety of green fairways for the medieval squalor of HMP Wandsworth, where drug taking and violence are rife and prison officers can throw victims to the hard men.
This book is much more than a story of crime and punishment. It is a true tale about how quickly our lives can be shattered by taking a risk - just once.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 11, 2018
This is the true story of professional golfer John Hoskison. It shows how, after 20 years as a well respected player, he chose to ignore his conscience for the first time in his life, accepted drinks after an event, and then proceeded to drive home.
This moment of madness resulted in him colliding with a cyclist on a country road, killing the man instantly. Instead of stopping, he fled the scene in panic. After a year on bail, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison. This book tells how it REALLY is within the prison system. It's a completely incompetent regime, and does little to help inmates become useful law abiding members of society upon their release. Drugs and drink are still available but are even deadlier within the confines of a cell shared by up to four inmates. It's a dog eat dog world, that comes with its own level of brutality.
John Hoskison had a very privileged life prior to this, so the reality of prison hit him hard. He does take responsibility for his actions that night, and that remorse appears to be genuine. It's interesting to know that the victim's wife spoke up for him during his trial. As a further point she also asked to meet him when he was released from prison. At that meeting she told him that she was coping well, and that he too must get on with his life. Now that lady is an example of a beautiful human being. This was an interesting read, and it blew any preconceived notions I had about prison life completely out of the water.
This moment of madness resulted in him colliding with a cyclist on a country road, killing the man instantly. Instead of stopping, he fled the scene in panic. After a year on bail, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison. This book tells how it REALLY is within the prison system. It's a completely incompetent regime, and does little to help inmates become useful law abiding members of society upon their release. Drugs and drink are still available but are even deadlier within the confines of a cell shared by up to four inmates. It's a dog eat dog world, that comes with its own level of brutality.
John Hoskison had a very privileged life prior to this, so the reality of prison hit him hard. He does take responsibility for his actions that night, and that remorse appears to be genuine. It's interesting to know that the victim's wife spoke up for him during his trial. As a further point she also asked to meet him when he was released from prison. At that meeting she told him that she was coping well, and that he too must get on with his life. Now that lady is an example of a beautiful human being. This was an interesting read, and it blew any preconceived notions I had about prison life completely out of the water.
April 21, 2020
‘Before I came to prison I was a professional golfer. For a number of years I played the European Tour, where I mixed and played with some of the best golfers in the world. I was elected captain of the Surrey Professional Golfers Association and twice I represented Europe in PGA Cup matches against the Americans. I was respected by my friends and colleagues. When I left the tour to settle down, I became the head professional at one of the most beautiful courses in Surrey. The members became my friends. I lived in a flat on the course and in the early mornings I would often go out with my young son into its deserted bluebell woods where we would hide and watch the deer. Every morning I bounced out of bed, eager for the day to start. I truly had the most wonderful life. One day I smashed that world.’
John Hoskison was that professional golfer. Then he did a very bad thing. Over the drink-drive limit he drove home. He hit and killed a cyclist. In his panic he didn’t stop. He gets three years even though the victim’s wife pleaded for leniency citing it as a terrible accident. It was her forgiveness that kept John going.
He spends time as a Category C prisoner (Category C prisoners cannot be trusted in open conditions but are considered to be prisoners who are unlikely to make a determined escape attempt) in Wandsworth prison. Here are some of the dregs of society. Career criminals and junkies. He would get to meet people that were not part of his previous life. He reminds me of an external consultant that is brought into a corporation to identify process issues or ways to increase efficiencies. The prison system was stuck in a rut and so were those prisoners especially those that were serving under 4 years. It was a life of in-and-out of prison. It was a vicious circle and prisons were not helping with the re-offending rate. Yes, these individuals would be off the streets for a couple of years but after that they were out and committing crimes again. A lot were drug addicts. They needed money for drugs. Many do not have the wherewithal to get a steady job.
I raced through the book. It was just so interesting. The first two-thirds were quite tense as John negotiates the prison system. The last third takes a slightly different trajectory following a project that he is brought into to work on within the prison. You can really empathise with John and you read it just hoping he is not going to get beaten-up, stabbed, hooked on drugs or murdered. The pitfalls are many and varied.
John Hoskison was that professional golfer. Then he did a very bad thing. Over the drink-drive limit he drove home. He hit and killed a cyclist. In his panic he didn’t stop. He gets three years even though the victim’s wife pleaded for leniency citing it as a terrible accident. It was her forgiveness that kept John going.
He spends time as a Category C prisoner (Category C prisoners cannot be trusted in open conditions but are considered to be prisoners who are unlikely to make a determined escape attempt) in Wandsworth prison. Here are some of the dregs of society. Career criminals and junkies. He would get to meet people that were not part of his previous life. He reminds me of an external consultant that is brought into a corporation to identify process issues or ways to increase efficiencies. The prison system was stuck in a rut and so were those prisoners especially those that were serving under 4 years. It was a life of in-and-out of prison. It was a vicious circle and prisons were not helping with the re-offending rate. Yes, these individuals would be off the streets for a couple of years but after that they were out and committing crimes again. A lot were drug addicts. They needed money for drugs. Many do not have the wherewithal to get a steady job.
I raced through the book. It was just so interesting. The first two-thirds were quite tense as John negotiates the prison system. The last third takes a slightly different trajectory following a project that he is brought into to work on within the prison. You can really empathise with John and you read it just hoping he is not going to get beaten-up, stabbed, hooked on drugs or murdered. The pitfalls are many and varied.
January 1, 2014
A humble, well written account about a man's experience of prison life. I enjoyed reading his book he could of revealed more though I respect what he did share. Truthfully everyone at some point in life have ignored instinct and made the wrong decision enduring the consequences.
May 3, 2012
Originally I decided to read this book for research purposes, but then found myself being drawn into an emotional and touching account of REAL life prison. Hoskison's Deeply personal and truthful story should be made available and read by anyone, particularly the young, who are contemplating or involved in a life of crime. Prison is no holiday camp! I highly recommend this well written book if you have an interest in the crime genre or a fascination of what goes on inside the head of someone who makes one wrong decision, then finds their normal middle-class life change overnight.
March 2, 2013
Fantastic book. Well written and a complete eye opener. It took courage to open your soul to write this book.
March 22, 2015
I stumbled upon this book on the iTunes Book store as I was looking for my next read and I'm glad I found it. Although it's not usually a book that I would be drawn to, I was pleasantly surprised. John Hoskison was a professional golf player and decided to write this Autobiographical story of his time in Prison after he drunkenly killed a cyclist when driving home from an event one night. During his time in Prison, John witnessed the incompetence and blatant disregard of the prison staff towards the inmates.
John tells us about the people he met, the friends he made and the lack of information about prison rules and regulations received upon entering the 3 different prisons he was transferred to within the 2 years he spent 'Inside.' John takes complete responsibility for what he has done and would like to use his story as a warning to any potential criminals who think Prison would be easy, rather than an excuse for his actions - as I expected upon starting the book. This emotional and touching account of a real man's journey in a real life British prison will keep you reading right till the end, wanting to know how it turns out. I'd definitely recommend this book to anybody who may have preconceived notions about what prison is like - I assure you, you won't imagine it like this.
John tells us about the people he met, the friends he made and the lack of information about prison rules and regulations received upon entering the 3 different prisons he was transferred to within the 2 years he spent 'Inside.' John takes complete responsibility for what he has done and would like to use his story as a warning to any potential criminals who think Prison would be easy, rather than an excuse for his actions - as I expected upon starting the book. This emotional and touching account of a real man's journey in a real life British prison will keep you reading right till the end, wanting to know how it turns out. I'd definitely recommend this book to anybody who may have preconceived notions about what prison is like - I assure you, you won't imagine it like this.
August 11, 2012
If you are looking for a prison story where the author actually takes responsibility for what he did wrong, this is a book for you. I wasn't aware that the story was about a prison in England but it was. Boy was my impression of English jails wrong. I naively thought they played cricket and drank tea all day long. Very cruel world indeed, as most prisons I assume.
Even though he was sentenced to prison, I really felt sorry for him that his life ended up that way but he did learn from his mistakes and has gone on to be a much better person. A true story of redemption in the face of adversity. This is highly recommended.
Even though he was sentenced to prison, I really felt sorry for him that his life ended up that way but he did learn from his mistakes and has gone on to be a much better person. A true story of redemption in the face of adversity. This is highly recommended.
June 21, 2014
I picked this book up looking for something to expose the reality of British prisons and the justice system, and for the biggest part it did. I enjoyed John's narrative and his naive insight through the introductory stages of his stay at prison.
I did find the golf metaphores a little tiring, and some of the language used to describe John's black inmates suggested racist undertones.
All in all it was a short but enjoyable read that highlights the stress and danger that British prisoners are exposed to, regardless of the crime they commit, and the lack of steps put in place to help introduce them into society.
I did find the golf metaphores a little tiring, and some of the language used to describe John's black inmates suggested racist undertones.
All in all it was a short but enjoyable read that highlights the stress and danger that British prisoners are exposed to, regardless of the crime they commit, and the lack of steps put in place to help introduce them into society.
March 2, 2017
A tough lesson
This should be read by everyone of all ages. One moment of choice can make a terrible difference not only in your life but will spiderweb to all other lives it touches. This is reality and it can happen to any of us. It just takes one bad decision for some. For others, it is bad decisions on raising children who sadly never have a chance and it is only a matter of time when hope is lost forever.
This should be read by everyone of all ages. One moment of choice can make a terrible difference not only in your life but will spiderweb to all other lives it touches. This is reality and it can happen to any of us. It just takes one bad decision for some. For others, it is bad decisions on raising children who sadly never have a chance and it is only a matter of time when hope is lost forever.
November 19, 2017
A true story about a PGA Tour golfer who had a car accident, killing a motorcyclist. He was in prison for three years. (Takes place in England). If you want to understand what it is like to be an upstanding professional who finds himself in some of the worse prisons in the country, and how he copes, I highly recommend this book. This was a fascinating testimony. I hope you read it.
December 21, 2015
To Hell and Back
A nightmare journey into a maelstrom of deceit and senseless violence navigated by a courageous ,gentle person of steely character.A winner certainly of a badge of honour.
A nightmare journey into a maelstrom of deceit and senseless violence navigated by a courageous ,gentle person of steely character.A winner certainly of a badge of honour.
March 3, 2017
My Review
This book was very well written. It educates about Britain's prisons and I learned much. His story was sad, humorous, a little scary at times but interesting. It's a good read.
This book was very well written. It educates about Britain's prisons and I learned much. His story was sad, humorous, a little scary at times but interesting. It's a good read.
July 24, 2023
I want to know how my son’s murderer’s life is in prison. So when I saw this book by John Hoskison, I knew I had to read it. Chalked full of details about everything that goes on in prison, this book kept me up late since I couldn’t stop reading this page-turner. Even though my son’s killer, Tyrone, is in prison in the United States, I’m sure there are similarities between the places Tyrone has lived and those mentioned in Inside. Hoskison has done a fabulous job sharing the good, bad, and other exciting stories about his time inside the system and how he has made the world better since his release by sharing his story.
July 6, 2017
A concise and heartfelt memoir of a professional golfer who had to remake his life after a drunk driving incident landed him in prison. A very well-reasoned plea for the logical course of rehabilitation instead of punishment, too. He met an extraordinary range of people, from very good to rather bad, but always describes them with a human touch.
October 20, 2017
Thought provoking
An excellent read. A difficult situation and subject to write about. It has changed some of my thoughts about prisons and prisoners. The lack of education, not just to better yourself, but about the way prison works and the pathway planner is shocking. Hopefully, things are better now, if not, this book should be required reading for any Home Secretary.
An excellent read. A difficult situation and subject to write about. It has changed some of my thoughts about prisons and prisoners. The lack of education, not just to better yourself, but about the way prison works and the pathway planner is shocking. Hopefully, things are better now, if not, this book should be required reading for any Home Secretary.
March 8, 2019
Incredible story
Absolutely loved this book. So honest, heartbreaking, intriguing and scary all at the same time! John tells his story with such compassion, at times I was in tears, I was shocked and I was happy for him. I'm so glad he shared his experiences in this book and I'm looking forward to reading his other boo , Name and Number
Absolutely loved this book. So honest, heartbreaking, intriguing and scary all at the same time! John tells his story with such compassion, at times I was in tears, I was shocked and I was happy for him. I'm so glad he shared his experiences in this book and I'm looking forward to reading his other boo , Name and Number
March 25, 2017
Insightful
Staggering information regarding the truth of prison politics. Nothing held back, by the author as to personal experience and feelings regarding his journey. It would be interesting to know if changes have occurred, in the system, after this expose.
Staggering information regarding the truth of prison politics. Nothing held back, by the author as to personal experience and feelings regarding his journey. It would be interesting to know if changes have occurred, in the system, after this expose.
June 26, 2017
This book grips you from page 1. It reads like a novel. The author does a superb job in taking you on an emotional journey with him.
June 22, 2017
Frightening, honest, mature view of life inside H.M. (i.e. British) prisons. Totally accepting the punishment for his crime (many times in the narrative he expresses heartfelt remorse for the pain he caused to so many others), the shock of hard-core prison life for a successful, otherwise upright citizen is palpable in these pages. How he was able to survive not only the physical degradation and dangers but also deal with his profound despair is the substance of the story. His is, I'm sure, an accurate reflection of others suffering the same fate. In addition to his own story though, he powerfully reflects on the stultifying effects of prison on those already given to a life of crime, the lack of remediation and help inside the walls, the prevalence of drugs and, perhaps most damningly the interference of the government and politics generally in negating any moves toward bettering the outcome of incarceration. This all happened a number of years ago (about 20 now) but one does wonder if much has changed...for the better. Gripping read.
December 3, 2022
Essential reading
Imagine that, in the blink of an eye, the best day of your life became the worst. That's what happened to John Hoskison. One mistake and a freak accident turned a respectable professional sportsman into a convict serving three years in one of England's toughest prisons.
"Inside" is a powerful and well-written record of John's time in prison. Surrounded by violence and drugs, whilst coping with depression and guilt, John has to find a way to survive and thrive inside a failed system seemingly designed to eliminate any hope of rehabilitation.
This compelling memoir should change the way people think about incarceration and rehabilitation. I highly recommend it as essential reading for everyone.
Imagine that, in the blink of an eye, the best day of your life became the worst. That's what happened to John Hoskison. One mistake and a freak accident turned a respectable professional sportsman into a convict serving three years in one of England's toughest prisons.
"Inside" is a powerful and well-written record of John's time in prison. Surrounded by violence and drugs, whilst coping with depression and guilt, John has to find a way to survive and thrive inside a failed system seemingly designed to eliminate any hope of rehabilitation.
This compelling memoir should change the way people think about incarceration and rehabilitation. I highly recommend it as essential reading for everyone.
May 17, 2018
Read this having picked it up 2nd hand. And a mesmerising read it is too. If you think prison in the UK is like the TV series Porridge or Paddington 2 then think again. The reality is horrendous. the account works as Hoskison comes to terms with what he has done and the impact on his family and the family of the cyclist he killed. But also a survivor's account of a world he was totally unfitted to and how he found his feet in prison and is able to critique the incompetencies of a system where the reality represents neither the rhetoric of the tabloids or that of the politicians - highly recommended.
April 28, 2023
Every Home Secretary Should Read This Book.
Gritty, raw, and hard to put down .
There has to be another way to run the UK prison service to prevent the appalling violence , drug proliferation which is at the heart of everything wrong in prison .
John Hoskinson has spelt it out in detail and there can be another way .
Gritty, raw, and hard to put down .
There has to be another way to run the UK prison service to prevent the appalling violence , drug proliferation which is at the heart of everything wrong in prison .
John Hoskinson has spelt it out in detail and there can be another way .
May 8, 2021
Very eye opening!!
I always knew that prisons were not as easy going or luxurious as the media have you believe but this book really opened up just how dangerous, brutal and unpredictable prisons actually are.
I always knew that prisons were not as easy going or luxurious as the media have you believe but this book really opened up just how dangerous, brutal and unpredictable prisons actually are.
January 5, 2022
Bang on
Very good read kept me interested from the word, could sense his worries and fears, very honest opinion of life inside.
Very good read kept me interested from the word, could sense his worries and fears, very honest opinion of life inside.
January 21, 2024
good story
This was a good story about prison life . It was sad and very funny in parts and a hard book to put down
This was a good story about prison life . It was sad and very funny in parts and a hard book to put down
April 21, 2015
This book was a compelling, if not entirely enjoyable, read.
I had not heard of John Hoskison, who had achieved some fame as a professional golfer before his life changed on a November evening when he did something that he had never done before and accepted a drink after a golf match before driving home. On his journey home he hit and killed a cyclist and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Unlike many people who find themselves in a situation like this, from day 1 John admitted his offence and took responsibility for his actions.The book is his story of his 3 year prison sentence, the characters, the hardships, the relationships with his fellow inmates, the staff and his family.
The book is a compelling read because you can't help feel that a man with the character of John Hoskison would make a difference. He's very matter of fact about the situation and his determination to stay true to himself despite the hardships is refreshing.
The reader cannot help but have some sympathy for the lack of support he received in terms of his move to an open prison, yet at no point do you feel pity for him.
I had not heard of John Hoskison, who had achieved some fame as a professional golfer before his life changed on a November evening when he did something that he had never done before and accepted a drink after a golf match before driving home. On his journey home he hit and killed a cyclist and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Unlike many people who find themselves in a situation like this, from day 1 John admitted his offence and took responsibility for his actions.The book is his story of his 3 year prison sentence, the characters, the hardships, the relationships with his fellow inmates, the staff and his family.
The book is a compelling read because you can't help feel that a man with the character of John Hoskison would make a difference. He's very matter of fact about the situation and his determination to stay true to himself despite the hardships is refreshing.
The reader cannot help but have some sympathy for the lack of support he received in terms of his move to an open prison, yet at no point do you feel pity for him.
March 12, 2016
This books follows the prison sentence of John Hoskison as he has to give up a professional golf career due to hitting a cyclist whilst under the influence of alcohol.
As he has to adapt and change his lifestyle and learn to sink or swim in an environment to which he never imagined that he would ever experience. As we travelled through John's experience of prison, we got an insight into prison life that we would never have been given by the government or by media.
This book is a good book and well worth the read. It might have been interesting to pad out the court case and get an insight to some of John's life/experiences after prison, what became of him and if he overcame some of the potential difficulties that he mentioned.
As he has to adapt and change his lifestyle and learn to sink or swim in an environment to which he never imagined that he would ever experience. As we travelled through John's experience of prison, we got an insight into prison life that we would never have been given by the government or by media.
This book is a good book and well worth the read. It might have been interesting to pad out the court case and get an insight to some of John's life/experiences after prison, what became of him and if he overcame some of the potential difficulties that he mentioned.
April 14, 2013
After watching the TV series OZ (which is fantastic and I would recommend to all) I wanted to delve deeper into the reality of prison life. John Hoskison was a professional golfer who, in a previously unheard of occasion, drank and drove - leading to the death of a cyclist. Thanks to his unblemished record and the plea of the cyclist's widow for leniency Hoskison got three years; this is the recounting of his three years in prison. It's hard hitting in it's honesty and I was struck by Hoskison's acceptance of his own guilt. If you want to know the reality of prison life, as it was in the late nineties, then this is a recommended read.
March 2, 2016
In the blink of blink of an eye!
A lapse of good judgment, fearing his friend would think less of him for refusing another drink, ultimately, finds the author in court for vehicular homicide, where he is found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to serve time in prison, this book will give you a good idea of what you might expect should this nightmare become your reality. A very personal, and very scary, account of prison life, and one that should be required reading for youths in trouble with the law, and anyone who has a problem with just saying "no!"
A lapse of good judgment, fearing his friend would think less of him for refusing another drink, ultimately, finds the author in court for vehicular homicide, where he is found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to serve time in prison, this book will give you a good idea of what you might expect should this nightmare become your reality. A very personal, and very scary, account of prison life, and one that should be required reading for youths in trouble with the law, and anyone who has a problem with just saying "no!"
Read
May 3, 2014An emotional and compelling journey as John Hoskison is a man who has gone through the prison system. This is his journey from profesional golfer to a life mixing with murderers and serious criminals. His account is graphic and honest and questions the lack of rehabilitation for offenders. It is supposed to squash any belief that prison life is easy as is often depicted in the media. I found it honest, at times engrossing - be interesting to find out how the system has changed in the 20 years since John served his time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews