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Broadmoor: A History of the Criminally Insane
In this eBook adaptation of the 2013 documentary, David Wilson introduces listeners to notable serial killers throughout Britain. Using interviews, archives, and his own extensive knowledge, he is able to piece together the stories of these criminals as well as the story of Broadmoor Hospital, the high-security prison that was home to many of the criminally insane and housed some of the most notorious criminals in Britain's history.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2018
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About the author
David Wilson
25 books131 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and founding Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University – one of the university’s “research centres of excellence”. He is the co-Editor of the prestigious Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, which is produced five times per year. Prior to taking up his academic appointment in September 1997, David was Senior Policy Advisor to the Prison Reform Trust, and between October 1983-April 1997 he worked as a Prison Governor.
David completed his PhD at Selwyn College Cambridge in 1983, and immediately joined HM Prison Service as Assistant Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. He worked as a Prison Governor at a variety of establishments, including HMYOIs Huntercombe and Finnamore Wood – where at the age of 29 he was the youngest governing Governor in the country – and at HMPs Grendon and Woodhill. At HMP Grendon he ran the sex offender treatment programme, and at HMP Woodhill he designed and managed the two specialist units for the 12 most disruptive prisoners in the penal system. This experience brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals in the country.
David has advised on live police investigations related to a linked series of murders and has provided training to new Senior Investigating Officers who will take charge of murder inquiries.
His current research interests range from the phenomenon of British serial murder, family annihilation, hitmen and lethal violence within organised crime, to all aspects of prison history and penal reform.
His first work of fiction is The Rules of Restraint.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 13, 2022
3.5 stars
After reading the book, Broadmoor Women, I was interested in reading about this asylum and who was housed there. I was able to listen to this book, Broodmoor, by David Wilson, a documentary, about the residents (more current ones) and what they did to arrive at this place. This Victorian building houses some of the most psychotic patients and initially held female prisoners. Now, it houses only male patients, many of which are quite dangerous, and has become a high security prison. Today and in the past, it housed the most notorious criminals in British history.
There is and was a plethora of the most criminally insane as well as killers of renown housed within its walls. Some were classified as spree killers, while others offered definite mental issues. I found the case of the silent sisters most fascinating. Before the institution was only men, these identical twins never spoke only to one another Both of them wrote works of fiction. They mirrored one another in their actions, and as the only black students in school were often bullied and ostracized. The girls committed crimes but it was probably their catatonia which finally brought them to Broodmoor where they stayed for eleven years making a vow that only one of them would survive and live a normal life. At their transfer, one of the twins (the younger one) died mysteriously without what appeared to be a cause. Fascinating.
But of course, the question that remains is what we are doing in mental health treatments and research actually helping those in need. Although a short listen, this story is one that is still evolving as more men are admitted to this institution, most of which are extremely dangerous and under intense guarding. The audio was really too short, but was presented with some details about British criminals.
After reading the book, Broadmoor Women, I was interested in reading about this asylum and who was housed there. I was able to listen to this book, Broodmoor, by David Wilson, a documentary, about the residents (more current ones) and what they did to arrive at this place. This Victorian building houses some of the most psychotic patients and initially held female prisoners. Now, it houses only male patients, many of which are quite dangerous, and has become a high security prison. Today and in the past, it housed the most notorious criminals in British history.
There is and was a plethora of the most criminally insane as well as killers of renown housed within its walls. Some were classified as spree killers, while others offered definite mental issues. I found the case of the silent sisters most fascinating. Before the institution was only men, these identical twins never spoke only to one another Both of them wrote works of fiction. They mirrored one another in their actions, and as the only black students in school were often bullied and ostracized. The girls committed crimes but it was probably their catatonia which finally brought them to Broodmoor where they stayed for eleven years making a vow that only one of them would survive and live a normal life. At their transfer, one of the twins (the younger one) died mysteriously without what appeared to be a cause. Fascinating.
But of course, the question that remains is what we are doing in mental health treatments and research actually helping those in need. Although a short listen, this story is one that is still evolving as more men are admitted to this institution, most of which are extremely dangerous and under intense guarding. The audio was really too short, but was presented with some details about British criminals.
January 3, 2022
This book is actually an adaptation of the documentary, which is available on Amazon Prime. The book was something like two dollars on Audible, which is the copy I have. I turned this on and listened to it while folding laundry, so that was a useful way to multitask. Broadmoor is a well known facility that housed the criminally insane. Many notable murderers were kept here, including Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper), David Copeland (The London Nail Bomber), Ronnie Kray, and Ian Ball (who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne). Broadmoor also has a history for the amount of breakthrough treatments and psychiatric care of the times. Even though this was a short little book, it was very interesting. I plan to watch the documentary as well.
September 22, 2019
Just don't bother!
This was intensely disappointing. I was expecting an some sort of history of this institution, maybe learn something interesting. NOPE
It's a magazine article/opinion piece that really skates over the surface of what could be an interesting subject. Will it give you an insight into the place or any real information? Resoundingly NO. A total waste of time, money and resources.
This was intensely disappointing. I was expecting an some sort of history of this institution, maybe learn something interesting. NOPE
It's a magazine article/opinion piece that really skates over the surface of what could be an interesting subject. Will it give you an insight into the place or any real information? Resoundingly NO. A total waste of time, money and resources.
April 30, 2019
Very Thin
It certainly has been impossible to find an honest and in depth account of the reality of Broadmoor. It's not in this brief article. Very superficial, that's about all I care to spend on this.
It certainly has been impossible to find an honest and in depth account of the reality of Broadmoor. It's not in this brief article. Very superficial, that's about all I care to spend on this.
April 3, 2020
Good read
A short but informative book. Basic insight into broadmoor worth a read. Good information light reading mentioned a few other books that I may read. The silent sisters and robert maudsley
A short but informative book. Basic insight into broadmoor worth a read. Good information light reading mentioned a few other books that I may read. The silent sisters and robert maudsley
July 7, 2022
This audiobook was an interesting look at how we currently deal with the criminally insane. It was, however, too short -- only scratching the surface of this topic, and left me convinced that mental health services are lacking, esp for those who suffer deeply.
December 12, 2018
From the documentary
There's no new info, it's the same as the documentary, but it's Worth a read of you missed it though.
There's no new info, it's the same as the documentary, but it's Worth a read of you missed it though.
June 27, 2020
Shorter than I anticipated - just a very basic primer on one Victorian British asylum.
May 26, 2021
A nice short concise book about the history and development of broadmoor.
June 26, 2021
Ok
Okay but to brief for me personally. I would of preferred more context within the book. Overall it was ok
Okay but to brief for me personally. I would of preferred more context within the book. Overall it was ok
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November 15, 2021I was dissatisfied in this audiobook, which was billed as an adaptation of Wilson's documentary on Broadmoor...It was the exact narration from the documentary and had no additional content
June 27, 2023
This book was interesting but, obviously with it being so short, only gives a brief overview of some cases. A great jumping off point for learning more about Broadmoor.
April 1, 2026
For my true crime fans
Book/documentary on Amazon Prime
Talks about the history of Broadmoor, its prisoners, their crimes and mental health problems
Book/documentary on Amazon Prime
Talks about the history of Broadmoor, its prisoners, their crimes and mental health problems
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews