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Prison Time
If you like the Shawshank Redemption , you will love Prison Time .
Prison Time , the sequel to Hard Time , is the story of Shaun Attwood's journey through the Arizona Department of Corrections and his deportation to England.
Sentenced to 9½ years in Arizona's state prison for distributing Ecstasy, Shaun finds himself living among gang members, sexual predators and drug-crazed psychopaths. After being attacked by a 20-stone California biker, Shaun writes about the prisoners who befriend, protect and inspire him. They include T-Bone, a massive African American ex-Marine who risks his life saving vulnerable inmates from rape, and Two Tonys, an old-school Mafia murderer who left the corpses of his rivals from Tucson to Alaska. They teach Shaun how to turn incarceration to his advantage, and to learn from his mistakes.
Shaun is no stranger to love and lust in the heterosexual world, but the tables are turned on him inside. As well as the ever-present threat of rape, sexual advances come at Shaun from all directions, some cleverly disguised, others more sinister - making Shaun question his sexual identity. Prison Time is the first ever book to detail the sex lives of prisoners.
Resigned to living alongside violent, mentally-ill and drug-addicted inmates, Shaun immerses himself in psychology and philosophy to try to make sense of his past behaviour, and begins applying what he learns as he adapts to prison life. Encouraged by Two Tonys to explore fiction as well, Shaun reads over 1000 books which, with support from brilliant psychotherapist Dr. Owen, speed along his personal development. As his ability to deflect daily threats improves, Shaun begins to look forward to his release with optimism and a new love waiting for him. Yet the words of Aristotle from one of Shaun's books will prove "We cannot learn without pain."
Prison Time , the sequel to Hard Time , is the story of Shaun Attwood's journey through the Arizona Department of Corrections and his deportation to England.
Sentenced to 9½ years in Arizona's state prison for distributing Ecstasy, Shaun finds himself living among gang members, sexual predators and drug-crazed psychopaths. After being attacked by a 20-stone California biker, Shaun writes about the prisoners who befriend, protect and inspire him. They include T-Bone, a massive African American ex-Marine who risks his life saving vulnerable inmates from rape, and Two Tonys, an old-school Mafia murderer who left the corpses of his rivals from Tucson to Alaska. They teach Shaun how to turn incarceration to his advantage, and to learn from his mistakes.
Shaun is no stranger to love and lust in the heterosexual world, but the tables are turned on him inside. As well as the ever-present threat of rape, sexual advances come at Shaun from all directions, some cleverly disguised, others more sinister - making Shaun question his sexual identity. Prison Time is the first ever book to detail the sex lives of prisoners.
Resigned to living alongside violent, mentally-ill and drug-addicted inmates, Shaun immerses himself in psychology and philosophy to try to make sense of his past behaviour, and begins applying what he learns as he adapts to prison life. Encouraged by Two Tonys to explore fiction as well, Shaun reads over 1000 books which, with support from brilliant psychotherapist Dr. Owen, speed along his personal development. As his ability to deflect daily threats improves, Shaun begins to look forward to his release with optimism and a new love waiting for him. Yet the words of Aristotle from one of Shaun's books will prove "We cannot learn without pain."
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2014
38 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Attwood
77 books359 followersIn prison, I read over 1000 books in just under six years, including many literary classics. Books were the lifeblood of my rehabilitation.
As told on National Geographic Channel's Locked-Up/Banged-Up Abroad episode "Raving Arizona," I used a tiny pencil sharpened on a cell door to write the first prison blog, Jon’s Jail Journal. My writing, smuggled out of the jail with the highest rate of death in America, run by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, turned the international media spotlight on the human rights violations, including guards murdering mentally ill inmates, dead rats in the food, lack of medical care...
Raised in a small chemical-manufacturing town in northern England, I was the first from my family to go to university. As a penniless graduate, I took my business degree to Phoenix, and worked my way up to become a stock-market millionaire.
But I also led a double life. An early fan of the Manchester rave scene, I headed an organisation that threw raves and distributed Ecstasy. On May 16th 2002, a SWAT team knocked my door down.
Facing a life sentence, I entered a lengthy legal battle. After two years of being held unsentenced, I was convicted of drug offences. Sentenced to 9½ years, I served almost 6.
I had only read finance books prior to my arrest. While incarcerated, I submerged myself in literature. By studying original texts in psychology and philosophy, I sought to better understand myself and my past behaviour.
Released in December 2007, I continue to campaign against Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I keep my blog, Jon’s Jail Journal, going by posting stories mailed to me by my prison friends.
In July 2008, I won a Koestler award for a short story, which I read to an audience at the Royal Festival Hall.
I presently live near London, and talk to schools across the UK about my jail experience and the consequences of getting involved in drugs and crime.
As told on National Geographic Channel's Locked-Up/Banged-Up Abroad episode "Raving Arizona," I used a tiny pencil sharpened on a cell door to write the first prison blog, Jon’s Jail Journal. My writing, smuggled out of the jail with the highest rate of death in America, run by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, turned the international media spotlight on the human rights violations, including guards murdering mentally ill inmates, dead rats in the food, lack of medical care...
Raised in a small chemical-manufacturing town in northern England, I was the first from my family to go to university. As a penniless graduate, I took my business degree to Phoenix, and worked my way up to become a stock-market millionaire.
But I also led a double life. An early fan of the Manchester rave scene, I headed an organisation that threw raves and distributed Ecstasy. On May 16th 2002, a SWAT team knocked my door down.
Facing a life sentence, I entered a lengthy legal battle. After two years of being held unsentenced, I was convicted of drug offences. Sentenced to 9½ years, I served almost 6.
I had only read finance books prior to my arrest. While incarcerated, I submerged myself in literature. By studying original texts in psychology and philosophy, I sought to better understand myself and my past behaviour.
Released in December 2007, I continue to campaign against Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I keep my blog, Jon’s Jail Journal, going by posting stories mailed to me by my prison friends.
In July 2008, I won a Koestler award for a short story, which I read to an audience at the Royal Festival Hall.
I presently live near London, and talk to schools across the UK about my jail experience and the consequences of getting involved in drugs and crime.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 20, 2017
How does a high earning stockbroker fall down so far that he ends up in a prison cell in the US? Drugs of course. But how does he get out and become a high earner again? He writes. Apart from trying to stay away from violence and psychopaths in prison he hasn't got anything else to do. The intelligence that got him to the top in his first career once clean of mind-altering drugs reasserts itself. Good for him, he's going to have a great career as a writer. Providing earning lots of money doesn't get him tempted with drugs again.
Does that sound like I'm a Just Say No person? Far from it. I don't think governments should interfere with how people like to get high. Why should alcohol, khat, marijuana, coca leaves, psilocybin, salvia and various other drugs be legal in one country and not another? It certainly isn't to protect people. The war on drugs is a joke, they've never been so cheap and easily available. What is needed is help for those who can't handle them.
In Portugal, drugs have been decriminalised by and large and the emphasis is on treatment for those who need it. For those who just enjoy them and carry on with their lives as normal, there is no threat of imprisonment. Civilised is what I call that. We could do with more of that.
Did you know that even certain goats like to get high. The travel to quite a dangerous place where they munch on a non-nutritious but psychoactive moss? Getting off your head runs right through the animal kingdom. Perhaps they know better than some of us though when it's time to stop.
__________________
This is something else. There is a scene where an older prisoner who cleans cells for $2 a week for undomesticated inmates is sitting on a bunk trying to seduce the author. He presents all kind of arguments, like if you were at an orgy you wouldn't care about the sex of the bits in front of you, imagine you are in the swinging sixties when everyone did everyone else and the like. Then he comes up with a good one. What if you were at a glory hole and you didn't know whether it was a male or female mouth on the other side, would you care who was giving you the pleasure? (The author who is resolutely heterosexual never gives in. Or so he says.)
Does that sound like I'm a Just Say No person? Far from it. I don't think governments should interfere with how people like to get high. Why should alcohol, khat, marijuana, coca leaves, psilocybin, salvia and various other drugs be legal in one country and not another? It certainly isn't to protect people. The war on drugs is a joke, they've never been so cheap and easily available. What is needed is help for those who can't handle them.
In Portugal, drugs have been decriminalised by and large and the emphasis is on treatment for those who need it. For those who just enjoy them and carry on with their lives as normal, there is no threat of imprisonment. Civilised is what I call that. We could do with more of that.
Did you know that even certain goats like to get high. The travel to quite a dangerous place where they munch on a non-nutritious but psychoactive moss? Getting off your head runs right through the animal kingdom. Perhaps they know better than some of us though when it's time to stop.
__________________
This is something else. There is a scene where an older prisoner who cleans cells for $2 a week for undomesticated inmates is sitting on a bunk trying to seduce the author. He presents all kind of arguments, like if you were at an orgy you wouldn't care about the sex of the bits in front of you, imagine you are in the swinging sixties when everyone did everyone else and the like. Then he comes up with a good one. What if you were at a glory hole and you didn't know whether it was a male or female mouth on the other side, would you care who was giving you the pleasure? (The author who is resolutely heterosexual never gives in. Or so he says.)
November 6, 2014
After Hard Time, I wanted to know how the story ended for Shaun, so I downloaded his book immediately to continue reading. His style still has the sense of humor, and he provides a peek into what prison life is for an inmate in Arizona. It definately is not a walk in the park!
Because of his style, and because of the contents, I bought a couple of copies to send to my inmate penpal friends for reading. I hope they will be allowed to read his book, as it may give them the sense that they are not alone. Also, it shows the importance of mail call for inmates, which is why I also posted this book on Writeaprisoner.com.
Even though Shaun is out of prison now, I hope he will continue to publish prison stories about his former friends and others. He has his own publishing company now, Gadfly Press UK. It is a publisher to keep on your radar!
I can keep writing about this, but it all boils down to one sentence:
Read this book.
Because of his style, and because of the contents, I bought a couple of copies to send to my inmate penpal friends for reading. I hope they will be allowed to read his book, as it may give them the sense that they are not alone. Also, it shows the importance of mail call for inmates, which is why I also posted this book on Writeaprisoner.com.
Even though Shaun is out of prison now, I hope he will continue to publish prison stories about his former friends and others. He has his own publishing company now, Gadfly Press UK. It is a publisher to keep on your radar!
I can keep writing about this, but it all boils down to one sentence:
Read this book.
March 7, 2014
An astonishing utterly addictive read, shocking, sad, darkly comic...I Loved this book although it totally grossed me out at times, it is an excellent true account of how Shaun attwood miraculously survived both physically & mentally behind bars in Arizona. This is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time, not too mention the excellent awarenss that is raised for the conditions of prisoners in Arizona. see Jons jail journal blog.Awe Inspiring stuff. A mighty fine writer prison has made.
June 17, 2014
So I have just finished the last in the Shaun Attwood ‘Time’ series, and wow, it was emotional. The sequel to ‘Hard Time’ follows ‘English’ Shaun as he journeys through Arizona’s prison system serving time for distributing Ecstasy. The series charts his rise from a poor English student to a drugs kingpin, then right down to a prisoner in a system designed to make you fail.
Having read the whole series in chronological order (Party Time, Hard Time and then Prison Time) I was expecting this to be the most difficult part of the saga, and I wasn’t wrong. As gripping and difficult to put down as the previous two, it benefits from Shaun’s finely tuned, almost journalistic, style of writing. Which captures the drama and feeling of the moment while creating an accurate documentation of what his surroundings where like.
We are introduced to some amazing characters throughout the book, both scary and genuine. From She-Ra, a tall transsexual who becomes friends with Shaun during his spell on the low security yard. Another is a great giant of a man is T-Bone, a kind of dark knight of the prison, who puts his life on the line protecting those who are weaker then him from prison rape. The person who seems to have the most effect on Shaun in ‘Two Tony’s’, a mafia hit man who has left a trail of bodies from New York to LA.
One thing that stands out to me in this book is how genuine and touching Shaun’s naivety when it comes to women is, from Jade to She-Ra. Maybe it is down to him looking for the best in people, but in this book we see love, heartbreak and confusion in equal measure. I especially liked the confusion that arose when he met Gina, who he describes as being as close to a women that you will meet in an all-male prison. After being in prison, where the constant search for love and companionship is part of everyday life for that long, I can sort of understand where he comes from.
We see Shaun develop his caring and nurturing side within this book, even to the point of developing an almost ‘guru’ persona in the prison. But not everything is smooth sailing, from arguments with others over his blog to a system that seems to be out to get him. Shaun battles not just to stay out of trouble, but to get out alive.
As with all the other books in the series it is dark, shocking, funny and really emotional right to the end. I must admit I am really sad the series is now over for me and will hope that one day Shaun writes a book about his return to normal life in England.
I give it 5 out of 5.
Having read the whole series in chronological order (Party Time, Hard Time and then Prison Time) I was expecting this to be the most difficult part of the saga, and I wasn’t wrong. As gripping and difficult to put down as the previous two, it benefits from Shaun’s finely tuned, almost journalistic, style of writing. Which captures the drama and feeling of the moment while creating an accurate documentation of what his surroundings where like.
We are introduced to some amazing characters throughout the book, both scary and genuine. From She-Ra, a tall transsexual who becomes friends with Shaun during his spell on the low security yard. Another is a great giant of a man is T-Bone, a kind of dark knight of the prison, who puts his life on the line protecting those who are weaker then him from prison rape. The person who seems to have the most effect on Shaun in ‘Two Tony’s’, a mafia hit man who has left a trail of bodies from New York to LA.
One thing that stands out to me in this book is how genuine and touching Shaun’s naivety when it comes to women is, from Jade to She-Ra. Maybe it is down to him looking for the best in people, but in this book we see love, heartbreak and confusion in equal measure. I especially liked the confusion that arose when he met Gina, who he describes as being as close to a women that you will meet in an all-male prison. After being in prison, where the constant search for love and companionship is part of everyday life for that long, I can sort of understand where he comes from.
We see Shaun develop his caring and nurturing side within this book, even to the point of developing an almost ‘guru’ persona in the prison. But not everything is smooth sailing, from arguments with others over his blog to a system that seems to be out to get him. Shaun battles not just to stay out of trouble, but to get out alive.
As with all the other books in the series it is dark, shocking, funny and really emotional right to the end. I must admit I am really sad the series is now over for me and will hope that one day Shaun writes a book about his return to normal life in England.
I give it 5 out of 5.
February 25, 2015
Shaun Attwood: I wasn't expecting to appreciate a former inmate who used to abuse drugs and the freedom of women to his advantage. I never read the first two books, I didn't realise it was part of a trilogy. However, I do not think I missed anything to substantial that would make me confused in certain parts.
I loved his honesty and I loved that with the help of friendly inmates-as friendly as murderers can get on the inside-and Dr Owen he saw how his destructive life had brought him to prison. However, prison changed him, for the better. He became more mature and with the help of CBT realised he didn't need drugs to feel euphoric. Like me I too have an addictive personality just not with drugs nor alcohol. I am a Writer and I own two blogs. This keeps me going. Just like it kept Shaun going in prison.
Overall, I learnt not to mess with drugs, or watch women kiss one another-well-not an in addictive way :P
and get caught.
I will use my addictive personality into writing to the best of my abilities.
I loved his honesty and I loved that with the help of friendly inmates-as friendly as murderers can get on the inside-and Dr Owen he saw how his destructive life had brought him to prison. However, prison changed him, for the better. He became more mature and with the help of CBT realised he didn't need drugs to feel euphoric. Like me I too have an addictive personality just not with drugs nor alcohol. I am a Writer and I own two blogs. This keeps me going. Just like it kept Shaun going in prison.
Overall, I learnt not to mess with drugs, or watch women kiss one another-well-not an in addictive way :P
and get caught.
I will use my addictive personality into writing to the best of my abilities.
April 9, 2014
The last in the trilogy and like the two before it, very hard to put down. Along with The Damage Done, one of the best and most gruesome prison memoirs I have ever read. A true story of how someone who could have easily succumb to the lure of drugs inside prison (as that's what put him there in the first place) instead used that time to reflect and face his inner deamons, change his way of thinking and turn his life around. An excellent read, recommend it to anyone. Looking forward to more from the author regarding the biographies of his close friends he met in prison
August 21, 2015
Really enjoyed this book which leads you through the prison system with Shaun, telling the bare naked truth about the inmates, guards and somewhat horrendous conditions. Although most of the people in the book were hard criminals,through shauns depiction of them I came to truly like the characters and want them to succeed and do well. Look forward to reading more by the author and would recommend this book
April 25, 2021
Having read both the Jail and Prison memoirs i would recommend them to anyone interested in human behavior, Prison, crime and its consequences. Both are very well written and very intelligently written, if he actually wrote the book by himself then he has a terrific talent. His finest talent however must be his social skills (these are fucking Black belt 7 Dan level)
If ten thousand men had the same or similar experiences its likely non would right such a fine book, in fact their are very few such books worth a fig ( and iv read a few Papilion fiction, Damage Done okay, Nothing Coming, widely regarded as bullshit etc). The only thing i'd add is the cover looks a bit tacky and amateurish, a picture of a prison in the desert would do, i say this because it put me off reading them for a few years,
also i'd just gone onto YouTube and discovered his Friend Wild Man has recently died, he must feel that pain hard after such an adventure.
If ten thousand men had the same or similar experiences its likely non would right such a fine book, in fact their are very few such books worth a fig ( and iv read a few Papilion fiction, Damage Done okay, Nothing Coming, widely regarded as bullshit etc). The only thing i'd add is the cover looks a bit tacky and amateurish, a picture of a prison in the desert would do, i say this because it put me off reading them for a few years,
also i'd just gone onto YouTube and discovered his Friend Wild Man has recently died, he must feel that pain hard after such an adventure.
March 16, 2019
Shaun Atwood's "Prison Time" is the third and final instalment in the English Shaun trilogy and is a rightfully triumphant closer. The Author writes true to his years behind bars and there is never, ever a dull moment (and he prayed there would be) in the system. The men Attwood met in prison were scary, mad, bad and dangerous to know and that was only the jail officers! The prisoners were even more lethal but were instrumental in his rehabilitation and changed his entire outlook and life values. This is not only a cautionary tale but also testament to the love of his family who never gave up on him, a Mother and Father who were reunited with their son. I enjoyed a big exhale of relief when I finished Shaun's story and I'm sure you will too. It's possibly one of the most moving pieces of literature that I have ever read.
January 6, 2019
Best Of Attwood's Trilogy
Although not as heavy on gang activity as hard time, prison time shows more of Shaun's character development and redemption. The extremely scary stories of gang rapes and castrations triggered my gag reflex and I had to take a break from reading. The strength of the book comes from its focus on the main characters such as Two Tonys and T-bone. An amazing true story which I highly recommend!
Although not as heavy on gang activity as hard time, prison time shows more of Shaun's character development and redemption. The extremely scary stories of gang rapes and castrations triggered my gag reflex and I had to take a break from reading. The strength of the book comes from its focus on the main characters such as Two Tonys and T-bone. An amazing true story which I highly recommend!
August 1, 2019
After reading Shaun Attwood's Hard time, it was a no brainer that I had to read this! A detailed true story about life in prison. Gut-wrenching in parts but an addictive read. I would say that some parts of it went on a little bit too much but nevertheless, it is a book I would definitely recommend.
January 4, 2019
Yikes!
Well, I was just trying to learn what prison life was like. I have never been in prison and hopefully never will. I am too claustrophobic and a 5 star smart ass. I was definitely pulled into the stories. Bad and good, we are all still human beings.
Well, I was just trying to learn what prison life was like. I have never been in prison and hopefully never will. I am too claustrophobic and a 5 star smart ass. I was definitely pulled into the stories. Bad and good, we are all still human beings.
January 8, 2021
I enjoyed reading this account of life in a US prison. The book is written fairly well, you can tell Shaun isn't really A Writer but he expresses himself clearly and offers the reader a glimpse into a prison life.
October 1, 2023
I loved the story and have listened to almost all of Shaun Atwood’s books but the narration of this book was almost painful to listen to. Maybe this is proper British pronunciation but I really didn’t enjoy it.
October 3, 2018
Brilliant
The last book of shauns trilogy a amazing read loved all three and would highly recommend all three.I could not put it down.
The last book of shauns trilogy a amazing read loved all three and would highly recommend all three.I could not put it down.
January 22, 2021
Good because it's a true story but dragged on a bit....
May 15, 2018
A thrilling story, i wasn’t able to put the books down until finished, worth reading if your interested in The Americas corrupt system. An Incredible insight to the suffering of prisoners, The lack of malnourishment made my heart hurt, let’s hope it’s not that bad now.
November 5, 2016
Excellent read! The first ive read by Shaun Attwood ... I loved that its real , a real life account , id recommend it to anyone looking for somwthing thats interesting, entertaining and informative
May 17, 2019
Great read
Loved this book. The boy did the crime and served his time with dignity. Real story of hope in adversity
Loved this book. The boy did the crime and served his time with dignity. Real story of hope in adversity
April 5, 2020
Shockingly frank account of a first timer’s introduction to prison life, and the struggle to survive (literally) and to retain your soul. Very well written, a must read.
March 31, 2017
Great Read
Another great story from the life of English Shaun. Looking forward to reading Two Tony's and T-Bone's autobiographies as soon as possible.
Another great story from the life of English Shaun. Looking forward to reading Two Tony's and T-Bone's autobiographies as soon as possible.
April 12, 2017
Enlightening
saga. For some reason I enjoyed Hard Time more than Prison Time, I believe the difference is in the acclamation he must have experienced from jail to prison, which is neither good nor bad, simply not as gripping as the former. The first two psychologists (not sure if that's the correct titles) Shaun sees cause me to wonder how the prison possessed either the resources or fortune to have such good doctors. The food is atrocious but the mental health services cause such a stark contrast. Also, when in JJJ he writes about "rigs" that he ends up asking his father to delete from the blog, I thought, really? Why put that info out there to begin with, I kinda saw that as a problem when first mentioned, which brings me back to his acclamation in prison, or comfort level that allowed him the freedom, if you will, to spell that out, knowing some guards read his blog. This comment isn't a criticism as much as wondering if ego had a hand. Anyway, good work, interesting read, but left me with more questions than answers, as though something was missing or left out, not in the narrative but perhaps in the way it was told.
saga. For some reason I enjoyed Hard Time more than Prison Time, I believe the difference is in the acclamation he must have experienced from jail to prison, which is neither good nor bad, simply not as gripping as the former. The first two psychologists (not sure if that's the correct titles) Shaun sees cause me to wonder how the prison possessed either the resources or fortune to have such good doctors. The food is atrocious but the mental health services cause such a stark contrast. Also, when in JJJ he writes about "rigs" that he ends up asking his father to delete from the blog, I thought, really? Why put that info out there to begin with, I kinda saw that as a problem when first mentioned, which brings me back to his acclamation in prison, or comfort level that allowed him the freedom, if you will, to spell that out, knowing some guards read his blog. This comment isn't a criticism as much as wondering if ego had a hand. Anyway, good work, interesting read, but left me with more questions than answers, as though something was missing or left out, not in the narrative but perhaps in the way it was told.
Read
May 27, 2019Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews