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Interview with John Hoskison, author of Inside (One Man’s Experience Of Prison)

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Tell us about INSIDE (One Man’s Experience of Prison)

Inside is a true story about mistake I made one day that had tragic and devastating consequences.  One night I broke a discipline I’d maintained for 20 years and accepted a drink before driving home.  On the short journey I hit and killed a cyclist.  The book is about the incredible forgiveness I received and my journey through the prison system.  I didn’t care how tough it was going to be – I felt I needed to be punished. Having spent my life as a highly respected tournament golf professional I had no biased views about prison.  I only knew that prison was often portrayed in the press as a ‘holiday camp’. But what I discovered shocked me and I felt compelled to show people what prison is really like.

Prison is a popular topic of discussion amongst people who have never been to one, from right-wingers who think it is too soft to left-wingers who think it is too hard. What is the truth?
The truth is it’s too lenient in many respects.  When inmates are eventually released from prison they have to be able to act as responsible members of society.  The necessary habits to carry out these things should be encouraged in prison.  There should be tough hard rules that have to be followed.  So I agree with the right wingers on that one.  However, prison should offer some kind of help so a person can transform.  Often the help is not there and prisoners are left to their own devices so they come out the same or even worse.  Prison should be really hard – but fair.

Because of the extreme changes in your fortunes, we can imagine that many readers will assume that you fictionalised the story. Did you?
No – Inside tells my journey through the prison system and was acknowledged by Lord Ramsbotham (Her majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons) as a very accurate portrayal of prisons in Britain.  For two years I spoke at the Judicial Studies Board to over 150 top judges in Britain after it was acknowledged by the authorities that my account was ‘a searingly honest account of the penal system’.  Lord Ramsbotham suggested it should be required reading for all who work in the prison system.

Amongst those of us who do not work in the prison system, who do you think the book will appeal to?
Because of the nature of my crime and the fact that I was forgiven, (even to the extent that the widow asked for leniency to be shown at my sentencing trial) the book goes far beyond a simple account of prison life.  Dealing with what happened is large part of the book, as is the power of forgiveness.  Anyone facing adversity seems to benefit from the book.  It certainly shows how life can instantly turn upside down.

Talking about that, tell us about the golf career you had before you went to prison.
For a number of years I played with many of the top players in the world on the European Tour.  I captained England in the PGA European team matches and twice represented Europe v USA in the PGA Cup matches.  In 1992 I won the British PGA Professional Championships.  I also had the honour of being Surrey PGA Association Captain.

What was that you said about receiving forgiveness? And what has been your story since prison? Did the golf world accept you back?
I have been incredibly lucky with the way people have acted towards me.  That attitude was driven by the widow who knew my actions were so out of character.  Nowadays drink driving is totally unacceptable – as it should be.  But twenty years ago it was not considered in the same way.  I have received literally hundreds of letters from people who used to have a drink and drive not realising the devastating consequences that can arise.  When the Daily Mail wrote about my case the headline was ‘There for the Grace of God’.  

Since coming out of prison I have spent as much time as possible going to schools and young offender institutions warning youngsters about the danger of taking unnecessary risks.  I have spoken at over 200 schools to over 80,000 pupils.  Some of the places I visit are really tough and sometimes I need a break.  Then I teach golf, write about it and occasionally play in the odd tournament. 

You’ve got another book too, right? Tell us about Name and Number

Name and Number is about a young art student who gets in trouble because he doesn’t want to let his friends down.   He gets persuaded to supply some drugs at a party one night and ends up with a two year prison sentence.  The book is about how he survives his time in prison and escapes the wrath of the drug barons.  It’s a story based on the truth and focuses on the fact that if you try hard enough, a person can get through almost anything.  It’s really a story of hope.

Have you got a blog where readers can keep up with your work? Do you use social media?
I have just entered the world of social media.  I have a twitter account @Hoskison51 and my son (who I write about in Inside) is just completing my website where people are most welcome to visit.   It’s called Johnhoskisngolf.com

I do receive a lot of letters from parents and mixed up youngsters who need help.  I reply to everyone.  My contact details are on the site and anyone can ask me any questions they have.   My email address is hoskison51@hotmail.com.

Where can we buy your books?
My books can be downloaded from itunes or Amazon ( UK , US ).

What’s next?
I’m currently writing a sequel to Name and Number which deals with the troubles someone can have when they are released from prison.   The main character Jason Smith ends up working in a race horse yard.  It’s about the temptations to go back to crime.

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Enjoyed this interview? Then check out our conversation with David P Perlmutter.

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