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

So after a few days in hospital, I was brought back here. I was stiff and bruised. My arm’s obviously still in plaster, so I’m off work. I wanted to go to the laundry with the other blokes, regardless. I wasn’t going to sit around in my cell by myself with Phillips on the loose. It wasn’t until I was in the laundry and out of earshot of the screw on duty that I was told Phillips had been suspended pending an inquest. So that’s something at least.


I hope you didn’t worry too much. I missed you tonnes.


Chapter 15