Inside Wakefield Prison: Life Behind Bars in the Monster Mansion

by Jonathan Levi

HMP Wakefield. 'Monster Mansion'. Hell to be inside. Almost impossible to escape. This prison has seen some of the most infamous prisoners of all time pass through its cells - from Levi Bellfield to Harold Shipman, Ian Huntley and Charles Bronson.

Jonathan Levi and Emma French are the perfect authors to give chilling insight into all the terrible men who have served time there. After detailing the shocking truth of life in Britain's most high-profile psychiatric hospital in their bestselling book Inside Broadmoor, now they will take readers behind bars in this the UK's most notorious prison.

Inside Wakefield Prison will trace its long and intriguing history, from when it was first built in 1594 all the way up to the present day. Today, just over 750 of the country's most dangerous offenders are kept there, including 'Hannibal the Cannibal' Robert Maudsley, notorious killer Jeremy Bamber and former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins.

Featuring all the sinister and truly horrifying stories that have emerged from the prison, as well as new unheard tales, this book will fascinate and shock readers on every page. Told with the help of interviews with staff, experts - and even in the words of the prisoners themselves - this is a no-holds-barred journey into the dark.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime

336 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2024

About the author

Músico, periodista, escritor y productor. Es cofundador de una de las revistas literarias más reconocidas de Norteamérica: Granta. Ha publicado artículos y reseñas de libros en grandes publicaciones como The New York Times y Los Angeles Times. Ha trabajado escrito y dirigido obras de teatro y óperas. También trabajó con The Metropolitan Opera Guild y el Kennedy Center. «Septimania» es su regreso a la literatura después de un poco más de veinte años.

Reviews

[kerry lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible exploration of 'Monster Mansion', this detailed analysis of the prison allows a reflection of the change in the prison system and the importance of reforming prisons and creating access to support for prisoners. Featuring interviews from past inmates and employees of the prison, this thought provoking book allows a reflection on the development of Wakefield prison and the future improvements that is needed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the exploration of infamous patients/ prisoners like: Rose West, Charles Bronson, Ian Watkins, Roberts Maudsley, etc. While acknowledging their infamy, the book humanises them too, and explores the difficult topic of self-harm and suicide in prisons.

[Nicola Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful but poor writing style with a lot of repetition and veering off into too many areas not really related to Wakefield

[Joseph Bonney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-detailed insight into one of the most notorious prisons in Britain, hearing firsthand the stories of people who lived within the walls at one point or another. To hear their personal stories and views, through the highs and lows, gave me a much greater understanding and respect for the people working within prisons and, to an extent, the people serving time wanting that want to focus their attention to help others.

[The Batling]

A brilliant insight to the inner workings of HMP Wakefield. Slide behind the bars of the Monster Mansion" that is Wakefield prison to learn about infamous prisoners that's served time to how the prison is run day-to-day along with being told first hand accounts by both staff and inmate's alike.

[Zoe Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book about the most dangerous prison in the uk. At some parts I just couldn’t believe what I was reading and the fact that this is so close to home was shocking! I loved the in sight of the prison life and how reforming the prisoners helps transform their life’s for the better.

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5.

An introductory insight into the UK's prison system and the inner workings of HMP Wakefield, aka 'Monster Mansion'. As someone who doesn't know much about the prison system I enjoyed the book. The book is heavily anecdotal, with interviews from staff and past prisoners alike from the prison. I personally really enjoyed this format, but can see why it wouldn't work for people looking for a more in-depth look into HMP Wakefield.

[Katy Booth-Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh it was ok. Few interesting parts but very blocky writing.

[Cheryl Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

While parts of this were thoroughly fascinating, I found myself frustrated at the repetition of some stories and the veering off into topics that had nothing to do with Wakefield Prison.

[Cheryl Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book, but a few too many tangents and a little too disjointed.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was fascinating stuff! Well written and keeps you turning the pages.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series on prisons an eye opener and something we all should take more seriously with issues like this. Educational thank you for writing this

[emily pipet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt less serious than ‘Inside Broadmoor’ but was still informative and interesting.