Prison Days: True Diary Entries by a Maximum Security Prison Officer

by Simon King

Stabbings. Rapes. Murders. Welcome to Maximum-Security.

Simon King works in one of the country’s worst maximum-security prisons. These are the true diary entries that describe the nightmare world beyond the walls. It’s a raw and brutal look into the day-to-day running of a place where the prisoners decide your fate.

Get ready for an uncensored trip behind the razor wire, as you experience life inside a place holding the worst offenders imaginable. Experience the horrific assaults, murders, prison gangs and day-to-day chaos that makes this one of the worst jobs on earth. Can you handle a trip into maximum-security?

Prison Days Book 1 is the first in the series. If you enjoy reading about real-life crime, with all its raw and honest details, then you will love the Prison Days series.

Unlock Prison Days Book 1 today and begin your journey behind the walls of one of the most challenging places on the planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Memoir

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2018

About the author

Simon King is the author of more than 40 books, spanning 5 series, and writes with a voracious appetite that includes both hard-hitting thrillers and confronting true crime.

His personal experiences inside a maximum-security prison have given rise to his popular Prison Days books, which ultimately led to the raw and nail-biting world of MAX, his ongoing prison-based crime thriller series.

With his latest saga, the Sam Rader Thrillers, Simon once again weaves intricate worlds that ultimately shock and consume readers within their pages, leading them through to nail-biting climaxes that leave most craving more.

Start your journey today and find out why Simon King is rapidly growing in popularity amongst thriller circles the world over.

Reviews

[John The Crippledgimp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Reading it was kinda like watching a reality show about a guard working in a prison. Very well written. Prisoners do some crazy shit in prison. The thing about that is the officers that work in the prison have to see that crazy shit everyday. All in all a good read for something a little different check this one out.

[Patricia Ibarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accompanied for one year this prison officer as he wrote about his daily experiences. It was interesting to see what life in prison is like from the inside. I live in a Latin American country and was amazed at how well organized and well taken care of prisons and prisoners are. They have medical care 24/7, good food, entertainment, TV in their room, only 2 inmates per room, dental care. I could not believe it, and then the author revealed that this prison is in Australia. It would be very discouraging for him to see what prisons are really like in other places of the world: overcrowded, dirty, rotten food, sadistic officers, in short, shit holes. Another thing I did not like is that the book is very cold, the author seldom speaks about his feelings because, as he explained, he is keeping them for a future book. If he had included them, this would have been a great book. I don't think it is fair for us as readers to be reading about his advertising of future books and why he is withholding information. Without learning about how he feels, he is portrayed as a perfect man, who never gets angry, who obeys all the rules, who is a great partner, who is empathetic with the prisoners. Come on.

[L's of Kauai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This portrait of prison life and the guards that risk their lives within the prison was not
quite as "graphic" as I expected but it definitely informed the reader as to what daily
life is like in various prison populations/areas of the prison.
I'm not sure if I would read further editions ...... I may check out one more and then decide.

[Kim Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent! I do enjoy true crime stories and this and series takes you into the day and the life of a maximum security prison guard. Highly recommended!

[Lil Bookish Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW - R*pe and violence
This is a set of diary entries from the author, who was a maximum security corrections officer. This first book is from the month of June 2018.
I'll start this off by saying for some unknown reason I have always found prisons and criminals very interesting. We can call in morbid curiosity. So, I was excited to read about it from someone who was there every day interacting with prisoners.
The things that he talked about shocked me and made me laugh. Not because I found anything funny but with just sheer disbelief, I'm not sure what I expected but I digress.
The author also includes a very helpful glossary at the beginning of the book to help you understand the codes and prison terms used.
The only real pitfall with this book was the lack of editing. It needed someone to really go over it with a fine-toothed comb and just help polish it off.
Overall I recommend this book if you're interested in prison life told by someone who knows what actually happens. I will definitely be reading his other books in this series.

[Rhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great book! Very down to earth and written well. Chapters and short and easy. Would reccomend! Looking forward to part 2 :)

[Mrs S J Patey · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Strangeways I was keen to read another book about the prison service. Unfortunately this book is nowhere near as good as Strangeways (by Neil Samworth). This book is written as a journal which is ok. However there is very little insight of the emotional impact of such a demanding job. Fortunately this was a free book so I was happy to read it.
I was also shocked to find several typos and overall it’s written in a very simplistic way.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I started reading this book, I was nonplussed by one of the guards telling the author (a new employee in a maximum-security prison), "'Just remember one thing.  They decide whether you go home,' ...." (page 6)  What a chilling intro.  The author had just explained that 60 convicts were released from their cells and there was no protection (other than a desk with bookshelves and a computer screen) between the 3 officers and the inmates for the entire shift (a shift lasts 12 hours).

The author explains that prison rapes, assaults, and stabbings exist 'and are to be expected.' This is an absolute page-turner that I read in one sitting. This is an inside look in prisons like I'd never read before.  Grab a chair, strap yourself in for a wild ride.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to jails the inmates are not the only ones in prison and the custodial officers only think they are in charge. Canada’s largest prison is less that 20 miles distant from me and I know custodial officers. As with policing the profession tends to run in families. It takes a certain toughness of mind to work in such an environment and the tension can take its toll. If you’ve read Papillon, Go Boy, Down Inside, you have an idea of what’s to come. Only the third book here is written by a custodial officer of Kingston Pen. No mention seems to be made of where Simon King lives or the joint he worked in. The one surprise for me was the number of female officers working in a maximum security prison for men. Makes one wonder, do men work in prisons for women?

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrrections officer view of prison life

Gritty, intense account provided by a corrections guard named Simon, about surviving as a security officer employed in a large prison system that seems to be in Australia. The conversations between characters are in Australian or British English ("mate", metres etc) and the minority characters are Pacific Islanders, Greeks or India Indians. Simon is a family man who keeps a clear head when dealing with nasty situations and even life-threatening actions from prisoners. His basic philosophy of survival is that the 'crooks' (prisoners) determine whether you the prison guard go home at the end of the day. I read this book on my Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet through Kindle Unlimited.

[Anuradha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a personal diary of a Corrections officer and the style of writing and language used is appropriate. Unlike the TV prison documentaries that focus on prisoners, this account is told from the perspective of a law keeper. While all the accounts may not be as glamorous as those seen on TV, it's an honest observation of the Russian roulette that is the daily routine of this high risk job. I felt the end was rather abrupt and the book would have packed a mean punch if the author could have described more instances to demonstrate just how physically, emotionally and mentally taxing this job is. It's a good effort nevertheless and worth a read.

[Emma Boultby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just read all 6 books in the last few days,

These books are very gripping, but also very graphic, don't read this if you are easily offended and don't like violence.

It gives a true account if what happens in a high security prison, including, rape, assault and suicide.

I have to say I was surprised to hear what really goes on in this settings, from pat downs and cell searches to full anal and oral inspections.

A true eye opening and insightful series of books.

A solid 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ (would of given it a 5, but due to the nature, it dropped a point), yes I know that's the nature of the book, but that's just my opinion.

[Rhonda Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning the things you are not told about really being inside a prison, whether working or being held. I admit I binge read and finished it in 2 nights. I am hopeful to find the rest of the additions to this series. I am also interested in some of the other series as well. I liked the definitions of terms and extra tad bits of information at the end of the book. I might suggest putting this in the front or making a reference it is available in the back if needed. The stories were easy to follow and kept you wondering what was coming next.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read out of curiosity what it is like in a maximum security prison. I enjoyed that it was written by the authors, with a true account, by working as a maximum security guard. We see it told through his eyes what he felt and saw and the experience the inmates go through. Some of it I was surprised, and I didn't realize what the guards go through and the fear by working their not maybe seeing their loved ones again. I didn't realize the savagery that happens in their. It made me think so many thoughts. It was very sad too. This was well written with raw emotions. I definitely recommend it, and I will read more by this author.

[Andrea Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I expected

I didn’t realize when I picked it up it was Not based on the American prison system. In fact, I was surprised it was so calm and polite, knowing people who have worked in law enforcement in the United States. I was a little surprised by some of the poor reviews, who didn’t seem to understand it was Australia. Complaints about misspellings, etc, that were clearly just a result of where the person was writing from.

If the author is that polite to in custodies, and the worst he does in call them crooks, he should do trainings in the US.

[Mike O'Beirne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book of a different kind

I didn't know whether I would like this book. Not my normal genre, looked kind of a sensationalist cover. But by the middle of Chapter One, I was hooked. Simon doesn't write like the "screw" I expected him to be. Every chapter was short, different and very interesting. And interesting to the end. It's a short book, but it did what I imagine Simon intended - now I have to buy book 2.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction

If this book is an introduction to following books, I should move my rating to a 4. If it is intended as a stand alone book, I am not overly impressed. The information was interesting, and the prison incidents described are hardly as violent and depraved as those in many novels. The prison is in England, but comes with a complete definition of term at the end of the book. It is a quick read.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I'm going to assume this is Prison Days Book 1. If not, I couldn't find it's location here. I am glad someone is telling these stories from this perspective as many times people only see the clips they show on t.v. that are highly edited. This gives a much fuller picture of what the staff and prisoners face from the inside. Thank you for that. Warning it is indeed very detailed as if you were there with your own eyes and it is not watered down and sugar coated.

[Kyst · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, unvarnished (I hope) glimpse into what it's like in a maximum security prison. Reading it felt a little bit voyeuristic, but the book never steered into gratuity and despite the author's repeated assertions that he would refrain from inserting his opinion, it was clear that he cared about these people, or at least regarded them with some respect, which is admirable and probably quite difficult.

The book sorely needed an editor, though.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prison days book 1

A very interesting insight into what happens inside the prison system. Some graphic details on what prison officers have to deal with on a daily basis, But I really enjoyed it because you can just imagine what life must be like to be in this type of job and also what it's like for the prisoners too, I really enjoy reading about true events etc, So this was right up my street. I would recommend this book and author (Simon King) .

[Brb_busyreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prison days was a quick short read that was interesting in parts. I found some of the stories quite funny of what prisoners get up to but also a few sad stores. I know there is a series in this but I would have loved one big book to go through it all and have more details. Definitely opened my eyes to what happens in prison

[Stevie Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a short book which reads like a diary of the author's days working in a prison. I'm not sure which country this prison is based in, but I suppose prisons are basically the same the world over. It's a good read, but after I read some rather graphic descriptions of his typical working day, I'm rather thankful that I don't work as a prison officer.

[Elizabeth Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

I would recommend this book to anyone interested on the side of the bars! Lol! The author has given us a realistic and gritty portrayal of working as a Corrections Officer. He was very concise in his writing without being horrifically graphic. But he does share the humanity of the COS and the prisoners!

[Christine Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye Opener

Essentially, this is a diary of a correction officer. It demonstrates the day to day life working in a maximum security prison and should be required reading for anyone thinking of this type of career. It's well written and easy to read, and is easily completed in a couple of hours.

[Ashley Cisneros · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Favorite

I like how the stories flow. I like reading day to day, just how things happened at the Max, without too much of the authors opinions and waxing poetic. I still feel as tho I get a bit of Mr. King’s personality. The way he writes it makes me feel like I’m there, staring through his eyes, first person character like.

[Erwin Pantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse into the day-to-day of a prison guard

A day-to-day look at the work and experience of an officer in a maximum security prison. It reads like a reality television program would portray the interaction with other guards, prisoners. I would recommend this book which is the first of a series.

[Kendall Manning · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my prison book era clearly… this one was a good switch up to see the guard’s perspective. Especially one that doesn’t brutalize the inmates. There are so many books in this series but it didn’t seem like it was in the U.S. Overall good book but it was missing all the prison politics that I think are so interesting, but that might not be as popular outside the states

[Bre Rottenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed emotions

I downloaded this book as the daughter of a man who will probably be spending the rest of his life in prison. I knew that reality tv is glamour used and edited for what brings the viewers.
My heart breaks thinking that my 54 yr old dad will live this and witness this. But I needed to know. The book is well written

[Veronica Cheves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You!

The author is so passionate about his work. I can see him on his shifts! I’ve always wondered about people incarcerated now I have a clear and positive view. Thanks to the author. Good read very interesting not boring and I read every day til end. I would have finished in two days but read on breaks from work .

[Erik Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I wanted to get a real perspective on what it is like in prison. The book is a little simplistic, but interesting and informative. I feel like the author is breezing over the harsh things (though he mentions them in the afterword).