Although I'm naturally not allowed to mention names, and obviously couldn't take pictures, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the ladies at East Sutton Park Open Prison in Kent for welcoming me to their reading group last month to discuss my sting-gone-wrong thriller 'Miss Taken Identity' (an initiative organised through Kent Libraries).

I'm delighted to say the ladies greatly enjoyed the book, and we had a lively chat about plot progression and character motivation.  Particularly interesting to me were their opposing views on which was the 'bad' twin!

I honestly had to keep reminding myself I was in a prison.  The surroundings felt more like an old-fashioned boarding school (same thing?), and the atmosphere seemed far from oppressive.  I was shocked to discover this is one of only two of this type of facility in the country - the other is in Yorkshire - although there are open wings within other prisons across the UK.  As one of the ladies remarked sagely, "They [the prison system] don't know what to do with women."  All the ladies I spoke to considered themselves lucky to have a place at East Sutton Park and a chance to transition back to 'normal', which included Release on Temporary Licence and the opportunity to work and take control of their lives.  They seemed proud of being accountable and responsible for their remit.  

Of course, I understand that the ladies I met are those for whom prison has worked, otherwise they wouldn't be in a facility like East Sutton Park.  I have no idea what offences they committed and, to be honest, it doesn't much matter in the grand scheme of things.  What matters is that they received a just punishment for wrongdoing, are serving their sentences, and are seeking to make a go of law-abiding life upon release.  I had not a moments' disquiet about participating in articulate, enthusiastic, and open discussion with a lot of laughs and varied, unselfconscious viewpoints.

What I loved most was how much they enjoyed my book, were engaged with the plot throughout, and desperate to know what happened to the characters they cared about.  Feedback like that is so rewarding for a writer.  Rest assured, ladies, I am working on the sequel right now.  (They've already lined me up to talk about that once it's out too!)

It was a fascinating evening, and made me ruminate a great deal upon the freedom of thought, word, and deed I take completely for granted.  Once again, thanks to the ladies of East Sutton Park for making me take a long look at my life and count my many blessings.  Their clear determination and infectious optimism will be invaluable in making a success of their post-prison lives.  I wish them all the very best of luck with their fresh starts upon release.

To decide for yourself which is the 'bad' twin, read 'Miss Taken Identity'.  If you're anything like anyone else who's read it - including the ladies of East Sutton Park - trust me, you'll want to know what happens next....

www.annieholder.com/miss-taken-identity/

To learn more about the rehabilitation of offenders undertaken at East Sutton Park Open Prison, visit the website at www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/east-sutton-park/

Picture: Pinterest