Prison Diaries: From the Concrete Coffin

Charles Bronson is Britain's most notorious prisoner, a 'Category A' inmate who has spent over 30 years inside as a result of his violent and unpredictable behaviour. No one knows the system better than Charlie. Now, for the very first time, you can find out what it is really like inside a maximum security institution as Charlie blows the lid on his life in HM Wakefield. Written in diary form by Charlie himself from behind locked doors, this unique book uncovers the real Charlie; his thoughts, frustrations and true feelings about the people who inhabit 'the concrete coffin' with him. This raw, unedited text, in his own hand, comes straight from the heart and also reveals another side to the man who has spent much of his time in solitary confinement in inhuman conditions. From writing poetry and creating works of art, to keeping fit and his secret passion for the X Factor and Coronation Street, there is much more to the man dubbed 'Britain's most violent prisoner' than his reputatio...

About the Author :
Charles Bronson (born 6 December 1952) is the adopted name of Michael Peterson, a British criminal. Bronson was born in Aberystwyth, before moving to Merseyside, and later Luton, which is often referred to as his home town. Bronson states on his website that contrary to reports frequently made in the press, his name was changed by his fight promoter in 1987 and was not a choice he made in relation to the actor, Charles Bronson. Bronson has been in prison since the age of nineteen, for various offences. Initially jailed in 1974 for robbery, his sentence has been repeatedly extended and he has spent only three months out of custody. He has served 30 years of his time in prison in solitary confinement due to repeated attacks on prison staff and inmates, including a number of hostage situations and rooftop protests. His dangerous behaviour has meant that he has spent time in over 120 different prisons. In 2000 he received a discretionary life sentence (with a three year tariff) for a hostage-taking incident. His appeal against this sentence was denied in 2004. In 1999 a special prison unit was set up for Bronson and two other violent prisoners from Woodhill (HM Prison), to reduce the risk they posed to staff and other prisoners. In 2001 Bronson married Saira Rehman, who had seen his picture in a newspaper and began writing to him. Rehman had visited Bronson just three times prior to their wedding. Bronson converted to Islam (Rehman is a Muslim) and was also known as Charles Ali Ahmed. However he and Rehman have since divorced and Bronson has reportedly renounced Islam and the Ali Ahmed name. While in prison he has developed an extreme fitness regimen and regularly performs 2,500 press-ups a day. In 2002 he published a book Solitary Fitness, detailing an individual training process with minimal resources and space. For the past ten years Bronson has occupied himself by writing poetry, producing pieces of art and has published ten books. Chaz, as he is known to his many friends and supporters, is still a "Category A" prisoner and is currently being held at HM Wakfield prison.