In this unflinching account of life as a prison GP, Dr. Yousaf neatly articulates the pressures, dangers and impositions of working within a prescriptive system. This is a book about the failures of the modern prison system, of a wider social structure that fails to adequately rehabilitate offenders and of an ideology that writes off the prison population as undeserving of access to appropriate medical care. More than this, though (and this is probably entirely unplanned) it is the biography of a good, conscientious doctor whose commitment to his patients is paramount. In his impassioned defence of the prisoners in his care, Dr. Y exposes his own deeply-felt humanity and the absolutism of his kindness. I don't know how far this book will go in intiating prison reform but I do know Dr. Y's patients are all the richer for being in his care.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. In his beautifully written book, Dr Yousaf invites his readers to consider what it is truly like to be imprisoned. With anecdotes that will make you laugh as well as bring tears to your eyes, this book will also make you think about how you see society and those people who end up serving time in our overcrowded, underfunded prisons. It certainly made me challenge some of my own prejudices and question whether our justice system is fit for purpose. As well as giving us an insight into what it is truly like to work as a prison doctor, Dr Yousaf opens up and bravely shares his own life experiences in such a sincere and touching way that you cannnot fail to be thankful that doctors like him are out there working for the good of us all in society. A fabulous, engaging and interesting read and i cannot wait to see more from this amazing author.

Fabulous insight into prison life, offering a unique & compassionate perspective from the view of a prison GP. The crossover between inmates & staff & how they’re equally imprisoned in different ways is thought provoking. The level of detail over everyday matters suggests a deeply thoughtful character in Dr Y. If every practice had a ‘Dr Y’ the world would be immeasurably better. Tear jerking, shocking, & ultimately uplifting. I look forward to Dr Y being a household name.

This was a thoughtful insight into healthcare in prisons. Dr Y's frustration and anger with the system is given a human face by outlining some of the patients who he meets; some of whose needs he can meet but more often than not is unable to help them in any meaningful way. His emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie was also well placed. Having worked in a hospital close to a category A prison, I became quite used to having closely guarded prisoners as patients, and it is interesting to understand more fully the work involved prior to their admission. I did feel at times that the author's style made me feel I was reading a series of short stories rather than a complete book but thought provoking none the less Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

Not the first insight into the real life of a prison doctor I have read, which didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it was enjoyable and insightful non the less. Some of the stories told were 'original'; others I had heard from different accounts. Well written, easy to read and highly recommended to those who enjoy crime, criminology or medical accounts. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers Random House UK, Transworld Publishers & Bantam Press for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.