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annecarts's review
4.0
This book is Sophie's memoirs of her time in Europe's largest women's prison and the start of her life upon release.
This was really interesting. The author is very honest and doesn't try to present herself as an angel. I liked how she's clearly done further research into the bigger picture and puts these statistics into her book.
I was saddened at how gender divided prison is with mens prison being allowed to look at courses such as coding - as a woman that codes it's such a ridiculous view that it's man's work. And men having better support and outcomes.
By far the most shocking is that reporting rape is not possible and all prisoners are forced into signing NDAs. I'm glad she ignored the NDA and kept this record!
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was really interesting. The author is very honest and doesn't try to present herself as an angel. I liked how she's clearly done further research into the bigger picture and puts these statistics into her book.
I was saddened at how gender divided prison is with mens prison being allowed to look at courses such as coding - as a woman that codes it's such a ridiculous view that it's man's work. And men having better support and outcomes.
By far the most shocking is that reporting rape is not possible and all prisoners are forced into signing NDAs. I'm glad she ignored the NDA and kept this record!
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
zarco_j's review
4.0
Edit - I've just bumped this up to 4* as on reflection that's what the book deserved.
An informative read that goes behind life at two of Britain's womens prisons.
Sophie (A pseudonym) describes in intimate detail what happens and what needs to be changed for those inside.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
An informative read that goes behind life at two of Britain's womens prisons.
Sophie (A pseudonym) describes in intimate detail what happens and what needs to be changed for those inside.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
engrossedreader's review
3.0
A first person of colour account of incarceration in the largest female prison in England. It will make you think beyond the stereotypes and the inflammatory headlines to the real issues facing inmates. Sophie Campbell has given us an insight into all the issues we thought we knew and provided new food for thought. An honest portrayal of her experience inside.
Full review on blog here
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Full review on blog here
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
jayfr's review
4.0
Edit - I've just bumped this up to 4* as on reflection that's what the book deserved.
An informative read that goes behind life at two of Britain's womens prisons.
Sophie (A pseudonym) describes in intimate detail what happens and what needs to be changed for those inside.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
An informative read that goes behind life at two of Britain's womens prisons.
Sophie (A pseudonym) describes in intimate detail what happens and what needs to be changed for those inside.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
novelesque_life's review
4.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2020; Sophie Campbell Books
HMP Bronzefield, the UK’s largest women’s prison: notorious for bent screws and drugs:
But what’s the truth behind the headlines?
Forced into signing an NDA when she arrived there on remand, former public schoolgirl Sophie risked extra time on her sentence by documenting her experiences of life inside.
Backed up by recent research and statistics, Breakfast at Bronzefield offers a powerful glimpse into a world few see: riots; unethical medical prescribing; and prison barons – key figures behind prostitution and drug-smuggling.
In a world where anything goes and being rehabilitated simply means saying ‘sorry’ right up until you’re released, how will Sophie cope on the outside, where she is expected to play by different rules? Will she succeed in creating the life she wants? Or, like most prisoners, will she end up back where she started?
(Synopsis from book)
Sophie Campbell is the pseudonym for the writer behind Breakfast at Bronzefield. Taking a risk to expose what really goes on at HRM Bronzefield, Campbell writes about her experiences as an inmate. It is a well-written story, and explains about the Britain correction system. I don't read a lot of books or memoirs on prisons so this was new-ish for me. When Campbell reached out to me to read her book, I was interested as I am reading more true crime books. I did find my attention waning at times, but that was more of my own mood than the book. What I did like about this book, was that it wasn't about a gang member or murderer. Campbell was charged with violence, but was not in the "criminal" lifestyle so her experience was interesting. She didn't have experience before going in.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author through NetGalley, and provided a finished paper copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Sophie Campbell Books
HMP Bronzefield, the UK’s largest women’s prison: notorious for bent screws and drugs:
But what’s the truth behind the headlines?
Forced into signing an NDA when she arrived there on remand, former public schoolgirl Sophie risked extra time on her sentence by documenting her experiences of life inside.
Backed up by recent research and statistics, Breakfast at Bronzefield offers a powerful glimpse into a world few see: riots; unethical medical prescribing; and prison barons – key figures behind prostitution and drug-smuggling.
In a world where anything goes and being rehabilitated simply means saying ‘sorry’ right up until you’re released, how will Sophie cope on the outside, where she is expected to play by different rules? Will she succeed in creating the life she wants? Or, like most prisoners, will she end up back where she started?
(Synopsis from book)
Sophie Campbell is the pseudonym for the writer behind Breakfast at Bronzefield. Taking a risk to expose what really goes on at HRM Bronzefield, Campbell writes about her experiences as an inmate. It is a well-written story, and explains about the Britain correction system. I don't read a lot of books or memoirs on prisons so this was new-ish for me. When Campbell reached out to me to read her book, I was interested as I am reading more true crime books. I did find my attention waning at times, but that was more of my own mood than the book. What I did like about this book, was that it wasn't about a gang member or murderer. Campbell was charged with violence, but was not in the "criminal" lifestyle so her experience was interesting. She didn't have experience before going in.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author through NetGalley, and provided a finished paper copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
southernbellebooks's review
3.0
This was such an interesting read. There are so many things about the British criminal justice system that I didn't know and I had to Google some things so that I could better understand. I was shocked by how relaxed Bronzefield was compared to American prison but also how horrible Bronzefield really is, especially about deaths. While this book was interesting, it felt very long winded and choppy. I was reading an e-version so I hope that there are paragraphs in the final edits.
whamydid's review
4.0
A really insightful book into life in women’s prisons in the U.K. A great balance between story telling and statistics. It was a real honest account and one I’ll be recommending
molly_ashton_'s review
1.0
After reading the blurb, I had really high hopes for this read but unfortunately for me it fell flat. I was expecting a gritty insight into the inner workings of female prisons but what I read was quite a slow and repetitive mix between a university dissertation and a diary.
For whatever reason I really couldn’t warm to the the main character in the book and felt a sense of “everyone is wrong except me” throughout. I found it very difficult to motivate myself to carry on reading and in the end it became a bit of a chore. I appreciate that there author is not a writer and is trying to relay her story but the book felt disjointed and lacking structure and in the end just didn’t seem to flow very well.
I do apologise for writing such a strongly negative review but I did just feel that this wasn’t up to scratch.
For whatever reason I really couldn’t warm to the the main character in the book and felt a sense of “everyone is wrong except me” throughout. I found it very difficult to motivate myself to carry on reading and in the end it became a bit of a chore. I appreciate that there author is not a writer and is trying to relay her story but the book felt disjointed and lacking structure and in the end just didn’t seem to flow very well.
I do apologise for writing such a strongly negative review but I did just feel that this wasn’t up to scratch.
whatireadthisweek's review
4.0
I absolutely loved reading this book - it tackled a topic I have very little knowledge about and was a real insight into life inside from the perspective of a young black woman. I found myself questioning some of Campbell's anecdotes, which just goes to show how much I needed to read her book, and how my ignorance of both the prison system, and the treatment of BAME people within prison needed addressing. It's a compelling read, thoroughly recommended.