In 1995 Michael Howard, the Tory Home Secretary, dismissed Derek Lewis from his post as Director General of the Prison Service and appointed David Ramsbotham Chief Inspector of Prisons. Lewis then wrote a book about his experience - Hidden Agendas: Politics, Law and Disorder (1997) - which reflects very badly on Howard. Ramsbotham's departure six years later was less publicly acrimonious - Jack Straw simply announced his retirement without his having agreed to it - but Prisongate will make uncomfortable reading for ministers. It is a vivid and at times idiosyncratic account expressive in equal measure of personal frustration and moral outrage. Despite differences in tone and style, the book has striking parallels with Lewis's.

LRB 18 December 2003 | PDF Download