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confessions_of_a_bookaholic 's review for:
Hotel Kerobokan
by Kathryn Bonella
Hotel Kerobokan is the nickname for Kerobokan Jail, Bali's most notorious prison. It hosts many of Bali's most infamous prisoners:- the Bali Bombers, the Bali 9 and Schapelle Corby to name a few. Hotel Kerobokan gives an unprecedented insight into life in the prison, covering the appalling conditions, the heavy drug use, and how the inherent corruption within the prison system allows for wild sex parties and days out to the beach. The stories in the book are backed up by the numerous prisoner interviews present, leaving no doubt that the author is giving a truthful account of life within Kerobokan Jail.
I don't read an awful lot of non-fiction books, but having read Snowing in Bali, another of Bonella's books, I was very interested to read this one and find out more about life within one of the worlds more notorious prisons.
I find Kathryn's writing style very easy to read. Her background in investigative journalism really shines through. She has a great talent for getting her facts and information across in such a way that as a reader you're hooked and really feel the need to keep reading to learn more.
It's taken me a few days to write this review as I'm finding it hard to put some of my thoughts into words, especially when it comes to talking about the people within the book. There is a huge part of me that has very little sympathy with the prisoners, especially considering most of the ones we meet are there for drugs offences which I have virtually zero tolerance for. We all know that Indonesia has very harsh penalties for drug trafficking, if people still choose to do it then they have to accept the consequences when they get caught.
That said, the harshness of conditions within the jail goes beyond anything you could imagine, and the level of corruption within the Indonesian justice system is simply terrifying. In short, if you have money you're likely to have a better experience, provided you keep paying. That can be anything from shorter sentancing to better living conditions within the jail or even days out. Many prisoners are allowed to carry on their criminal activities from within the jail, often helped by the guards. To say that the jail does little to rehabilitate prisoners is a huge understatement. If anything it is more likely to encourage them to continue. We meet several repeat offenders within the book.
All in all this is both a fascinating and horrifying read. Anyone who has ever visited Bali, or plans to, should read it.
I don't read an awful lot of non-fiction books, but having read Snowing in Bali, another of Bonella's books, I was very interested to read this one and find out more about life within one of the worlds more notorious prisons.
I find Kathryn's writing style very easy to read. Her background in investigative journalism really shines through. She has a great talent for getting her facts and information across in such a way that as a reader you're hooked and really feel the need to keep reading to learn more.
It's taken me a few days to write this review as I'm finding it hard to put some of my thoughts into words, especially when it comes to talking about the people within the book. There is a huge part of me that has very little sympathy with the prisoners, especially considering most of the ones we meet are there for drugs offences which I have virtually zero tolerance for. We all know that Indonesia has very harsh penalties for drug trafficking, if people still choose to do it then they have to accept the consequences when they get caught.
That said, the harshness of conditions within the jail goes beyond anything you could imagine, and the level of corruption within the Indonesian justice system is simply terrifying. In short, if you have money you're likely to have a better experience, provided you keep paying. That can be anything from shorter sentancing to better living conditions within the jail or even days out. Many prisoners are allowed to carry on their criminal activities from within the jail, often helped by the guards. To say that the jail does little to rehabilitate prisoners is a huge understatement. If anything it is more likely to encourage them to continue. We meet several repeat offenders within the book.
All in all this is both a fascinating and horrifying read. Anyone who has ever visited Bali, or plans to, should read it.