Strangeways

The uncompromising, extraordinary story of life as a prison officer in a high security prison.

A jaw-dropping, page-turning account of life as a prison officer in one of the country's most notorious jails.

Step inside Britain's most notorious prison in this Sunday Times bestseller – a darkly humorous and shockingly raw account of life as a prison officer at HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways.

With astonishing candour and a blend of grit and empathy, seasoned prison officer Neil Samworth reveals the stark reality behind Strangeways' towering walls in this gripping memoir. Navigating a world populated by hardened criminals and the tragically misunderstood, Samworth guides readers through tense face-offs with gang members, encounters with rampant drug abuse, and the dangerous threat of cell fires.

Strangeways offers an unflinching look at the systemic cracks in Britain's penal system that have led to a escalating prison crisis. Samworth shares the human stories behind the inmate numbers while exposing the harsh realities faced by those tasked with keeping order in one of society's darkest corners.

At the heart of this memoir is Samworth's own deeply personal narrative, as he grapples with the mental toll of a career spent on the frontlines of the prison service and his ultimate battle with PTSD. Strangeways serves as a testament to the bravery of those working in one of the most challenging environments imaginable, and a chilling exposé of the criminal justice system's most troubling complexities.