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

I love you so much. To tell the truth, I thought that being apart from you, my feelings for you would fade. Not because I don’t love you, but because that’s what’s happened in the past. I think seeing you every day helps. I also love it when we can touch hands. Even though it’s only for a second or two, it seems to tide me over till the following day.


I was also glad to hear about your plans for the future. Glad they include me. I fantasize about us being together, too. Having a home and sharing everything. Someone to come home to after a long day at work. I fantasise about us having baths together and drying each other, then going into the bedroom and making love. And going out for dinner. Imagine us at a candlelit table and being able to order anything we want. Then walking home hand in hand. God. I’m starting to sound like that romance writer. What’s her name? Old woman. Wears a lot of pink.


Chapter 13