Prisonomics Behind bars in Britain's failing prisons
By Vicky Pryce
Click here for Iain Dale’s Political Books Podcast with Vicky Pryce
When economist Vicky Pryce admitted taking speeding points meant for her former husband, the ex-Cabinet minister Chris Huhne, she found herself convicted of perverting the course of justice.After a very public trial she was sent to East Sutton Park prison near Maidstone. There, she kept a diary in which she recorded her very challenging experiences and her strong views on how the prison system works, especially with regard to how it treats women.
The result, Prisonomics, will provide a compelling analysis of the cost to the economy, as well as the human cost, of keeping women in prison. In it, she uses her personal experiences and professional understanding to look at how prison works, and should work, from an economist’s perspective.
Royalties are being donated to Working Chance. Working Chance is a charity (1131802) which changes lives and changes society by finding women ex-offenders work.
Reviews
Laden with economic arguments and analytical comments from inside experts.
Total Politics
My Six Best Books - It was about time somebody wrote this book, about the economics of keeping women in jail.
Daily Express
It is excellent that an economist like Vicky Pryce is able to use her first-hand experience of the prison system to inform a sensible - and realistic - debate about prison economics.
Nick Hardwick, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Vicky Pryce is one of the leading figures on public policy in the UK: analytical, thoughtful, experienced and well-respected. This is a very important contribution.
Lord Stern, Professor of Economics, LSE, and President of the British Academy
A deeply impressive and powerful book, with formidable conclusions informed by painful personal experience and supported by respected independent academic research: it should be read by every justice minister and prison service director who gives a damn.
Mark Leech, The Prisons Handbook
Expert evidence from a top economist who is also a former prisoner merits both public and political attention. The waste of public money and individual lives in British prisons is so scandalous that ideas for radical reform are essential.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform
What does resonate is her look at the plight of female prisoners.
The Sunday Times
Relentlessly upbeat and uncomplaining… above all, Prisonomics is Vicky Pryce’s redemption… one is struck by her mental strength and a talent more common among men than women for compartmentalising emotions.
The Times
[A] Compelling account.
Mail on Sunday (Eire)
Vicky Pryce has done the state some service by writing about her two-month journey through HMP’s Holloway and East Sutton Park...Yet for all its personal detachment, this book does not lack fervour… Pryce argues her case capably…[She] convincingly argues the public expenditure case for alternatives to prison for women. Her voice is a welcome support to Jean Corston’s cause.
The Observer
[Prisonomics] is a sobering, compelling read that would serve as a blueprint for any politician who wanted to focus seriously on reform… Her observations brought logical conclusions… Her grasp of the facts is startling.
The Guardian
Pryce’s new book Prisonomics, combines her prison experience and economic expertise in a compelling analysis of the human and financial cost of the prison system.
Jewish News
Vicky Pryce […] brings her economic expertise to bear on an issue which rarely gets such rational treatment.
Belfast Telegraph
Well Vicky Pryce exposes the economic stupidity. The point is she has now been inside, she has a good understanding of her subject, and she makes her arguments well... I do know that she makes a lot of sense, and it’s about time someone articulated a common sense alternative economic strategy to prisons.
Benjamin Zephaniah
