The Menu Inside

By Rowland Nakanda

Using a play on words, 'menu inside ' The Menu Inside is written to bring to light the distasteful life inside prison establishments. The aim is not solely to inform, but hopefully to deter anyone contemplating any criminal activity. Experience is often described as the best teacher. Well, this book is bourne out of such an experience. There are many who go into a life of crime, willfully or even as a result of naivety, perhaps misplaced loyalties. What is rarely considered is the life and time behind bars, locked away, banged up. From the narratives within this book, following first hand discussions with inmates, hardened and prolific offenders have broken down when faced with the reality now facing them from the menu inside. The depravity and degradation faced daily, the fear of the unknown cell mate or unpredictable situation, which may kick off at any moment, the loneliness within the prison cells of being locked up for 23 hours a day, denial of many basic rights and privileges we often take for granted on the outside, not to mention the time loss away from families and loved ones, some who move into other lives, as well as the loss to fulfilling ones own hopes and dreams. The Menu Inside seeks to bring these to light, that crime in the long run really does not pay, even if you think you can do the time, when the sentence is given, you, your family and loved ones who are also doing time, albeit on the outside, cannot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rowland Nakanda
• Release date: Dec 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201795795

Book preview

THE MENU INSIDE.

By Rowland Nakanda

Copyright © 2021 by Rowland Nakanda

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at

[e-mail]

Published by

Write for Gold Publishing.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

THE CRIME AS ALLEGED

CHAPTER TWO

THE TRIAL

CHAPTER THREE

THE SENTENCE

CHAPTER FOUR

BECOMING A NUMBER

CHAPTER FIVE

WELCOME TO E-WING

CHAPTER SIX

A DAILY REGIME INSIDE

CHAPTER SEVEN

PEOPLE YOU MEET

CHAPTER EIGHT

MIND OVER MATTER

CHAPTER NINE

TIME TO REFLECT

CHAPTER TEN

CONCLUSION TO MENU CHOICES.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

SUMMARY IN BRIEF

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The contents of this menu are not palatable, but designed for anyone who is living a life of crime, for anyone who has a loved one serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure as a result of crime. In fact for anyone who knowingly or otherwise naïve, perhaps as a result of misplaced loyalties to families or friends have found themselves convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

The latter being of relevance to me, which forms the main references contained herein.

My aim is to bring to your attention and understanding what is on the Menu Inside the prison establishments. 

My objective is to help you, yes you, become aware of life within the prison walls, shut off, banged up, and locked away from mainstream society. That from reading this, there may be a paradigm shift in your thinking, your behaviour towards an acceptance that in the long run crime simply does not pay... Even if you can do the time.

In acknowledgement of those whose thoughts, views and contributions went into producing this work, my thanks goes to many inmates at both H.M.P Wandsworth B Wing, H.M.P Highpoint induction Wing as well as those within the South and North sides, without mentioning names as you know yourselves during July – October 2015. Trusting you are out now and will stay out of H.M.P’s. 

Not forgetting many of your inputs from my FAM at both H.M.P. Chelmsford and finally Hollesley Bay. You are all truly appreciated. Thank you.

INTRODUCTION

By way of a brief introduction: There I was a regular chap in my mid-fifties married with four sons and the missus pregnant in her third month at the time of my sentence expecting our fifth child.

I had been in full time and continuous employment for over 35 years, first for the government community programme, 10 years recruiting and training long-term unemployed and (N.A.C.R.O) ex-offenders released from prison in aspects of building, renovations and administrative skills, 25 years as an operational processing manager for Royal Mail London.

I took voluntary redundancy, following the government sell-off of Royal Mail to try new ventures. Realising that I was missing my call, I applied and landed a post within three months as a site operations manager, recruiting for DHL via 24-7 recruitment consultancy. Thus, continuing a long-standing regular  employment.

Aside from my long employment history, I had academically completed both CSE/GCSC O and A levels at distinction grades, two years HNC in business studies, three years post graduate Diploma in General Management, 12 months City and Guilds continuous and refresher training and award as an adult trainer. Numerous leadership, communication, negotiating skills workshops, updated yearly over 25 years including health and safety and first aid at work. Two years study and certified as a Specialist Counselling Consultant. Various recognitions including a letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for my services to her anniversary ceremony and a host of others.

Furthermore, I had invested 15 years into my community by voluntarily serving as a chairman on the youth restorative justice program as well as two and four years in the elected roles of NHS governor and school governor respectively.

During all these years, which were very many, you might gather, I lived an ordinary lifestyle in a modest house with my wife and children, the older two had grown up now and one now left home, married, while the other preparing to do similar soon leaving the younger two with us at home.  There were no trappings of wealth, none whatsoever, my annual salary of £34 000 took care of all our household and basic wants and needs including holidays which were saved for.

What made living further possible, I must confess was our joint spiritual Christian life. All credit due and given to Almighty God. I encouraged contentment and a well outlined and balanced budget for the household expenditures, thankfully approved and