Reviews : A Product of the System Mark Leech Gollancz, 1993; £6.99 hbk
| Published date | 01 October 1993 |
| Date | 01 October 1993 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/026455059304000316 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Unlike many academic works, this
experienced sexual abuse and rejection.
book is written in plain language, with
This description of his early years sets
short, unambiguous sentences. It is
the scene for the main theme of the
designed to explain rather than impress,
book. This book is an analysis, from a
and to clarify rather than mystify. The
very personal perspective, of the
arguments are tidily laid out, supported
experience of imprisonment. It is a
by sufficient rather than overwhelming
catalogue of the brutalising effect of
evidence, and
imprisonment both for those who work
are thus accessible to
in prisons and those who are imprisoned
challenge. I would recommend it as a
and it offers an interesting insight into
general work to any Probation
the interdependency between prisoners
practitioner or manager with a particular
and prison staff.
interest in poverty matters.
Mark Leech fought the system on
Antony Whitehead
several levels. He began by protesting
Social Issues Development Unit
violently. This led him to becoming one
South Yorkshire Probation Service
of the hidden men in the prison system,
those who are moved from prison to
prison or ’sharing the pain’ as it is
euphemistically called in the Prison
Service. He became an expert at ways of
challenging prison rules and obtained a
law degree on the way. He developed his
writing skills and became a columnist for
7he Guardian. Despite his success and
the support of friends he continued to
offead when released. The therapeutic
regime at Grendon influenced him in a
powerful way and he believes that he is
able to understand and deal with the
experiences of his childhood.
A Product of the System
Mark Leech is still in prison.
Mark Leech
When faced with personal tragedy he
Gollancz, 1993; £6.99 hbk
...
To continue reading
Request your trial