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

Mum and Dad have finally come to see me. I think my brother has been at them to visit. They looked nervous, or frightened, or both, but then after a while, they relaxed a bit more. They were happy to hear I was doing well both generally and with my apprenticeship. We actually had a good talk about the circumstances leading to me being in here. They understand it was an accident, now, and that I’m not really a criminal. They realise they don’t have to be embarrassed about me. Mum started crying and said what a bad mother she’d been for not coming to see me. I told her I understood, which I sort of do. They’re very old-fashioned and have always been worried about what the neighbours think. Mum said she told everyone I’d gone overseas to work. She said she won’t stop telling everyone that, but she reckons at least now she understands Bryan’s death was an accident. Both have promised to come and visit more often. Better late than never, I reckon.


Chapter 25