Upon arrival at Barton Prison, Julian is processed and taken to a cell occupied by a prisoner named Gordon, who soon becomes his lover. However, six months later, a jealous guard sends Gordon to another wing of the prison, separating the lovers. Not to be deterred, Julian sends a message to Gordon via Lanky, another prisoner, which starts a long correspondence between them.<br><br>Through their letters, readers learn more about the two men -- their backgrounds, their secrets, their hopes and dreams. The letters reveal the story of two lovers trapped inside a prison, separated from the world outside and from each other.<br><br>But prison life is hard. There are bashings and murders. There are corrupt prison officers and violent inmates. How can Julian, who comes from an upper middle-class family and is incarcerated for an accident, hope to survive against such odds, especially when he becomes the target of a particularly corrupt and vicious screw?

Letters from the Inside

There is also mention of a confrontation between Thompson and Andrew Donohue, which resulted in both men being put into solitary confinement for five days. When Thompson was released, he was transferred back to D Block, which, according to an ex-Barton Prison officer, was more to do with his suspected involvement in the death of Officer Gregson than for the altercation with Donohue.


Thompson and Julian spent a little over four months in the same cell block.02 Feb. 75


I still can’t believe you’re back in D Block. The past four months already seem like a dream. We couldn’t sleep together, but being able to kiss you, to hold you in my arms and feel your hard body against mine, was fucking magic.


Chapter 10