Peterhead Porridge: Tales from the Funny Side of Scotland's Most Notorious Prison

by James Crosbie

James Crosbie was Britain's most wanted man in 1974. With a successful business and an enviable lifestyle, he seemed to have everything going for him - until he got bored with his life and turned to armed robbery. He ended up in Peterhead Prison, doing time with some of the hardest, and funniest, men in crime. Peterhead Porridge is a remarkable account of the people he met. People like the Saughton Harrier, who escaped from prison by dressing up as a runner, complete with running vest and number, and joining in as a race went by. And another escapee, Tweety Pie, was so called because, when he flew the coop, he had a nasty case of jaundice. Then there's Square Go, the prison warder who was always up for a fight. And discover the practical jokes that were the trademark of Glasgow's Godfather Arthur Thompson and what really happened when someone poured their porridge over his head in the breakfast queue. Funny, sad and at times barely believable, Peterhead Porridge is a unique insight into the other side of prison life.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2007

Reviews

[Karl Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably deserves a 3-Star. Starts off well, and it's not a really bad book, but it just gets a little repetitive. The author would probably argue with that assumption, disputing that they're all different stories, but (fairly obviously) the setting's the same, and so are some of the people. I was getting bored near the end.

[Brian Bailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. Shocking. Tragic.
An eye-opening description of life inside.
Very useful for understanding how the prison system struggles with effective rehabilitation.
This should be compulsory reading for anyone involved in the justice system.

[Daniel Fenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising and entertaining read!

The authors description of colourful characters in bleak situations - brings comedy in the harshest of places, only fault is that the book wasn’t long enough I was hooked in from start to finish!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after visiting the prison museum. I really enjoyed the book and it gave an insight as to what life was like for the inmates and staff there.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

People have long been fascinated with prison life, from books to the media to films and television there's no shortage of material about prisons. Whether in the form of comedy (Porridge), drama (Prisoner, Bad Girls) or the documentaries about notorious prisons it seems there's something for everybody. Touching on the comedic side of the life but at times quite serious James Crosbie takes us inside Scotland's most notorious prison and tells us some outrageous stories.

There's stories within the book that you could actually think were just coming out of someone's warped mind rather than an event that actually happened. With books like these you could fill a page listing favourite stories and anecdotes but I personally find that detracts from the enjoyment of the book and that first time feeling of discovering the stories for yourself. With short chapters you can power through the book in no time but I've been reading it on an off between reads, not because I wasn't enjoying it just because it's nice to have a book you can jump into casually between finishing and starting a new book.

If I'm honest I like books looking at the more brutal aspect of prison life as bad as it sounds and saying that this book does touch on that and there are some pretty disturbing scenes referred to. Still though an enjoyable read to pass a few hours and it will make you laugh whilst at the same time being incredibly grateful that you (hopefully) will never have to experience life in prison.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!
Found my self reading it in a Scottish accent but parts had me in absolute stitches! It helps I have a warped and dark sense of humour!
All the way through I had images of Ronnie Barker and the others from porridge!
It is what if term as a quick and amusing read and it's great to see this spin put on prison life and the fact he doesn't want sympathy and blames only himself for being there and the point of focusing in the bizarre and funny tales from there!
Great book hope there are a few more like it in the library!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of a former inmate, the author concentrates on telling humorous stories of the characters he served time with without really going in to details of their crimes, probably wisely, as on the few occasions a grisly detail or two is added for flavour it jars a little with the lighthearted tone of the book. It's a collection of stories, no real narrative to speak of, but a few genuine laughs, and the author is pleasant company (for a hardened lag).

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review here:

http://aberdeenvoice.com/2014/06/pete...