Purgatory: A Prison Diary Volume 2 by Jeffrey Archer Read Free Book Online

initial report quickly and reinstate my D-cat. I thank him,
particularly for the support he’s giving his mother. I then tell him that I’ve
finished the Belmarsh section of the diaries and ask if he’s found time to read
the odd chapter.
    ‘I just can’t face it, Dad. It’s bad enough that you’re
there.’ I tell him that I have already decided that there will be three volumes
of the prison diary: Hell, Purgatory and Heaven, with an epilogue called ‘Back
to Earth’. This at least makes him laugh. As I’m telling him this, Jimmy passes
me in the corridor and I turn to ask if he could spare me a moment. He nods,
and waits until I finish my conversation with Will.
    Jimmy has also heard that I may be joining them on the
enhanced wing, but wonders if Nutboume’s information came from on high.
    ‘Exactly my thoughts,’ I tell him. I then mention that Mr
Maiden has invited me to join them in the gym on Friday morning to assist with
the special needs group. I’m surprised by his reaction.
    ‘You jammy bastard,’ says Jimmy. ‘I had to wait a couple of
years before I was invited to join that shift, and you get asked after four
days.’ Funnily enough I hadn’t thought of it as a perk, but simply as doing
something worthwhile.
    Jimmy invites me down to his cell for a drink, my only
chance of having a Diet Coke. We’re joined by Jason, who spotted me in the
corridor. Jason hands me a pair of slippers and a wash bag, which are normally
only issued to enhanced prisoners.
    ‘You jammy bastard,’ repeats Jimmy, before he starts going
on about his weight. Jimmy is six foot one, slim and
athletic (see plate section). He trains every day in the gym and is known by
the inmates as Brad Pitt.
    ‘More like Arm Pitt’ says Jason.
    Jimmy smiles and continues to grumble, ‘I need to put on
some weight.’
    ‘I like you as you are, darling,’ Jason replies.
    I decide this is an ideal opportunity to ask them how drugs
are smuggled into prison. Both throw out one-liners to my myriad questions, and
between them continue my education on the subject.
    Of the six major drugs – cannabis, speed, Ecstasy, cocaine,
crack cocaine and heroin – only cannabis and heroin are in daily demand in most
prisons. Each wing or block has a dealer, who in turn has runners who handle
any new prisoners when they arrive on the induction wing. It’s known as Drug
Induction. This is usually carried out in the yard during the long exercise
break each morning. The price ranges from double the street value to as much as
a tenfold mark-up depending on supply and demand; even in prison free
enterprise prevails. Payment can be made in several ways. The most common
currency is phonecards or tobacco. You can also send in cash to be credited to
the dealer’s account, but most dealers don’t care for that route, as even the
dumbest officer can work out what they’re up to. The preferred method is for
the recipient of the drugs to arrange for a friend to send cash to the dealer’s
contact on the outside, usually his girlfriend, wife or partner. Just as there
is a canteen list of prices taped to the wall outside the main office, so there
is an accepted but, unprinted list, of available drugs in any prison. For
example, the price of five joints of cannabis would work out at around £10 or
five phonecards; a short line of cocaine would cost about £10, while heroin, a
joey or a bag, which is about half a gram, can cost as much as £20.
    Next we discuss the bigger problem of how to get the gear
into prison. Jason tells me that there are several ways. The most obvious is
via visits, but this is not common as the punishment for being caught usually
fits the crime, for both the visitor and the prisoner. If you are caught, you
automatically lose your visits and the use of phonecards. For most prisoners
this is their only lifeline to the outside world. Few, other than desperate
heroin addicts, are willing to sacrifice being able to see their family and
friends