Joys of Joy: Finding Myself in an Irish Prison

by Gary Cunningham

‘I sentence you to three and a half years,’ bellowed the immaculately well-kept Judge Bolan … ‘Thank you VERY much Judge Bolan, ya sanctimonious prick’ were the words that came flooding into my mind as the walls of Court 5 came closing in on top of me ... but who was I kidding?

So begins Gary Cunningham’s remarkable memoir about his time in Mountjoy Prison. Occasionally harrowing but more often extremely funny, Joys of Joy offers a searingly honest account of Gary’s experiences as a prisoner.

Raised in a stable, middle class family, Gary had never been in trouble before an alcohol and drug problem led to a stupid mistake that was his downfall. As Gary says in his Preface:

I will take you inside one of Ireland’s most famous jails and guide you through what was one of the most frightening, exciting rollercoaster rides I have ever embarked on. In no way will I try to glorify prison life, nor will I regale you with tales of bloodshed and torture. This is just my honest account of how getting myself in serious trouble with the law and ending up in Mountjoy, and subsequently Loughan House, was a truly life changing experience for me.

Little did Gary know when he went through the prison gates as a terrified first-timer that inside those walls he would create a successful rock band, win two writing competitions, form the first Prisoners’ Committee in Ireland and meet some of the most remarkable people – prisoners and staff alike – who would literally save his life.

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2017

Reviews

[Pol Ó Muireadhaigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joys of Joy is quite simply life changing. Not just for the Reader but for the Author. Finding himself rock bottom, Addicted to Alcohol and Drugs Gary Cunningham was by his own admission in the book a "Disgusting Human Being" ONE mistake, a hairbrained scheme to fund his alcohol problem, led to his incarceration and his Salvation. Incarcerated in Mountjoy (The Joy) prison in Dublin, Gary quickly set about re-inventing not just himself but those around him and eventually the entire Irish Prison Service, Living by his Mantra "Its not the time you do, its what you do with your time. Gary Formed a Rock Band, The Off#Enders, Met his soon to be wife and instated the first EVER prisoners council in an Irish Prison. All while fighting the demons of his own addiction and the heartbreak he had brought to his ever faithful and Long Suffering Mother. Prepare to have your life changed forever. Read it READ IT NOW!

[Ander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached this book with curiosity and I found I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh out loud and also get mad at times!

But more than anything, it is truly inspiring to be witness to Gary's journey through the Irish Prison Service, and the changes he brought to himself and to Irish prisons. Many people in his position would see themselves as victims; but he owns up to how he messed up, and turns his life around, reinventing himself in the process.

This is one of the most honest and entertaining books that you'll be able to find out there so make sure to read it!

[Michelle Raleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read so inspiring. Read it in one day.

[Margaret Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, conversational style.

Insight into the prison system in Ireland and how a prisoner with the right conditions and positive mindset can make his time work for him.