Day 7723

For the record...


'Dear Mr Crayley,

Thank you for your letter dated May 7th. All paperwork for your retirement is well in hand and you will be receiving your pension details forthwith.

Your 21 years of faithful service to this institution are truly appreciated and long-standing members of our reform community are always missed, but we are confident you have earned your personal time.

We also understand the trials that the last few months have placed upon you and your family and, as such, are foregoing the normal gold wristwatch in favour of a lump sum suggested by our legal advisers. We trust it will meet with your satisfaction.

Once again, many thanks for your service.

All the best mate.

Barry'


I'm going home.

Day 7722

Forest Jones went home today. I think I'll be seeing more of him. Apparently his friends call him For-J.

Day 7721

This is the first day in a very long time that 4J hasn't been here. I appear to miss him. Oh, and for the record, I had a chat with 2J when he was in 4J's bugged cell and convinced him that, not only did I know he was a Head Office plant, but that we could turn the tables and defraud the prison of most of its budget, to which he agreed. I went back with the DVD and said it was time for him to leave or have the DVD arrive at HO the next day. Needless to say, he's gone.

Oh, and I posted the forms.

Day 7720

One man has shown more courage and dignity than this place ever deserved. Tomorrow is an important day and I really hope he finally gets justice.

Day 7719

I've put the word round that the shower is on the blink. I don't want the inmates to work out that 4J might be leaving - there is a history of last weeks not being pleasant experiences. Let's get him out of here in one piece.

Day 7718

4J will be catching flies if he carries on walking around with his mouth open like that. What was in that letter?

Day 7717

That's funny, 2J appears to be trying to avoid me. I wonder why

Day 7716

Right, I'm off with my portable DVD player to have a little chat with 2J.

Day 7715

Received the various forms that I need to fill out in response to my letter last week. They're sitting on my desk and I just keep looking at them.

Day 7714

Been busy today editing the footage that we took a couple of days ago.

Day 7713

Barry called from HO saying they had received my letter. He asked if I was sure. Hmm. Am I?

Day 7712

So we've had all the surveillance equipment stripped out of 4J, but not before I moved 2J in and we had a little chat.

Day 7711

It's going to be a busy day tomorrow.

Day 7710

I've had just about enough of not being trusted. 2J, or whoever he really is, has made a real pain of himself. This ends.

Day 7709

Wrote a letter to Head Office today that I had never dreamt of writing before.

Day 7708

Smartened 4J up in time for Lou's visit, then a random woman turns up asking to speak to him. What's this about?

Day 7707

Lou says she's coming in tomorrow to see ▒▒▒▒ 4J. Almost wrote his real name! That's never happened before.

Day 7706

I can't decide what to do with 2J. There's nothing to hide, so he can ask all the questions he wants but Simon was the problem. I just hope this isn't a cover up.

Day 7705

It transpires that 2J is not a prisoner at all. Well, he is, but he's been planted by Head Office to see who knows what amongst the guards and inmates. Like I said...'a rat problem'.

Day 7704

We have a rat problem.

Day 7703

I think 4J has pretty much pieced it together now. And interesting news on 2J...

Day 7702

Delivered a pretty thick letter for 4J today. Lou asked me to keep an eye on him and make sure he was OK after he'd read it.

Day 7701

I phoned Barry to ask what the deal was with 2J. He's going to let me know what he finds out.

Day 7700

1A and 4J had a chat. Both walked away looking a little confused.

Day 7699

Had a chat with 4J about 2J. Seemed to give the guy a little hope.

Day 7698

Phoned Harry to ask him to come in and check 4J's cell out. We'll get the camera, and any other bugging devices removed. He can't make it for a couple of weeks, but it will be nice to give the guy some privacy again.

Day 7697

2J is starting to tick me off. He's a nosy whatsit and is going to get himself into trouble sooner rather than later.

Day 7696

I told 4J my daughter had sent him another letter and all the blood drained out of his face. That was obviously news to him!

Day 7695

Lou has convinced one of the solicitors she works with to take on 4J's case. In view of the success of the previous 2J, I have high hopes.

Day 7694

New inmate in 2J who seems very sure of himself. Probably a repeat offender.

Day 7693

Simon got suspended today! That means that, as the longest serving member of staff, I get to be acting supervisor. And just as I thought - Simon had a camera installed in 4J's cell fed to his office. I have to admit, it is actually quite good fun!

Day 7692

Lou wrote a letter that I took straight to 4J, but after yesterday's events, I don' think it will be a problem much longer.

Day 7691

2J won! His case was thrown out after a 'conflict of interest' in the original trial. He's gone home, and as far as I'm concerned, 4J is next.

Day 7690

2J got his appeal hearing today. I know very little about him personally, but I'm treating this as a test case for 4J.

Day 7689

2J is appealing. Let me rephrase that.

Day 7688

Yes indeed, 'more than one way to deliver a letter.'

Day 7687

I think 4J has had a stroke.

Day 7686

4J has pieced it together - he had Justice Warren on his case as well. I must try and get him and 2J together.

Day 7685

Man alive, have I been busy in other parts of the prison today.

Day 7684

I find it very interesting that Simon has never mentioned who his father is. People keep secrets for a reason.

Day 7683

I can see why 2J had his letter taken by Simon. But there's more than one way to deliver a letter.

Day 7682

I'm on letter duty today. I wonder why 2J had his last letter confiscated? Might go and look for that later.

Day 7681

Another letter in from Lou. If Simon finds out what I'm doing he's going to have a field day!

Day 7680

Well, it wasn't hi-tech but it got the job done. Let's hope 4J can piece it together.

Day 7679

Must tell 4J what I know, but can't talk to him in his cell. I'll think of something.

Day 7678

I know why Simon's surname is familiar. Oh my...

Day 7677

I think Simon has realised what he's done. He keeps sending me on stupid errands to keep me away from 4J. I must warn him!

Day 7676

Simon told me he used to drive the same car as I used to drive. I've never told Simon what car I used to drive. I told 4J. Wait one second...

Day 7675

Simon's put himself on letter duty this week. How strange - that's not a management job.

Day 7674

I keep on thinking about yesterday's chat with 4J. I hope I did the right thing. Don't want to give him false hope.

Day 7673

Didn't have lunch, just sat and chatted with 4J. Shared more than I ever have with any other inmate. That is one innocent man.

Day 7672

Yesterday was almost depressing - 21 years in the same job. But 4J has given me a little bit of light. Maybe I can do some good before I go.

Day 7671

Happy anniversary to me, Happy anniversary to me, 21 years in this hell-hole..........Happy anniversary to me. In other news, Lou wrote 4J a reply and I sneaked it straight to him. I'm not letting Simon get anywhere near it if I can help it.

Day 7670

4J steps out his cell just as Simon comes out of his office and I walk straight into the back of him. Stupid boy.

Day 7669

Barry is going to look into the parole postponement, and Lou and I are starting to use the time to build a case file in 4J's favour. Technically, I could get fired for this.

Day 7668

Rumour has it that the parole hearing has been postponed...at Simon's request. Where's Barry's phone number?

Day 7667

I actually smile nowadays when I see a letter coming out of 4J's cell. I know it will make my little girl smile.

Day 7666

Heat wave in February. This global warming is genius.

Day 7665

Why do I make myself tuna sandwiches on a hot day?

Day 7664

Lou had plenty of interesting things to say, especially in view of the parole board hearing next week. I'm actually getting quite nervous about that now.

Day 7663

Lou said she had something important to tell me...important enough to come here. I do hate it when we have female visitors, especially when it's my daughter.

Day 7662

Simon took some more of his missed holiday from a couple of weeks back. I can feel the tension lift.

Day 7661

The parole board have booked a session with us for a couple of weeks time. I can think of some worthy candidates.

Day 7660

I looked up Simon's surname in our staff database. Now why does that sound familiar?

Day 7659

Barry still can't find 4J's case folder and he reckons there is a conspicuous gap where it should be.

Day 7658

Simon came barging out of his office and nearly had me over. Just for a second I thought I saw his TV with...no...can't be.

Day 7657

So much for the nice weather, cold snap today. Stupid external patrol.

Day 7656

It was a gorgeous day today - nice to be out on external patrol.

Day 7655

I asked Barry about 4J's file and he says he can't find it. He's probably just getting used to where everything is.

Day 7654

What is so fascinating on TV that Simon spends most of his day watching it? I can't find anything when I sit down of an evening.

Day 7653

Barry asked me what Simon's surname is. I've just realised I don't know. How funny.

Day 7652

Barry has got working straight away and pointed out that I shouldn't be listed as on unpaid leave. Just as well - savings are almost gone.

Day 7651

Yes! Barry just phoned - he got the job at head office that I wrote the recommendation letter for after his help with 4J. I need a man I can trust on the inside. I don't care if you are reading this Simon, it's too late now.

Day 7650

Simon seems to be spending a lot of time in his office. I'm sure I can see a TV on through the frosted glass. Lazy tyke!

Day 7649

4J's back settled in his 'new and improved' cell. The whole thing stinks, and not just of paint.

Day 7648

The cells are all sorted, but considering they really only had to dry it, 4J's cell looks completely different. Something's wrong.

Day 7647

The builders have been working all hours, even if it is with the cell door closed. Simon reckons it will be ready tomorrow. I should tell 4J.

Day 7646

Who comes off their holiday after 2 days to come back to this joint? Simon, that's who. He's been overseeing the building work. I'm very uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Day 7645

I was on the phone to Harry to ask him to quote for the work that needs doing on 4J's cell when workmen came in and just started! Where did they come from?

Day 7644

2J had punctured his water pipe deliberately because, he said, he had a 'beef with 3J'. We pointed out that 4J was below him. Muppet.

Day 7643

What the hell is 2J doing?!

Day 7642

I've just noticed that Simon has next week off. We may be able to get some stuff done.

Day 7641

I wrote the letter for Barry today but posted it through regular mail channels. And the escapees are back in circulation with the rest of the inmates, if under very close scrutiny.

Day 7640

The conversation with Barry was very constructive. I won't say too much as I'm not sure how safe diaries are around here.

Day 7639

I've asked to meet with Barry tomorrow to discuss my plan. Things better move quickly - my current account is pretty much empty and I don't have infinite savings. Let's hope this works.

Day 7638

I've had a brilliant idea. It involves Barry. And Simon. And 4J. And head office. And freedom.

Day 7637

Went for a very long jog this morning. It won't be long and I'll be out of funds. Simon may have me.

Day 7636

I told Simon that 4J wanted to see him, which gave me enough time to search through his paperwork. No sign of the missing diary sheets, but I did find a letter from head office confirming Simon's letter that I was on unpaid leave. I am?

Day 7635

I told 4J I might see if I can look through the logs to see if anything of importance happened to him during that time. He's going to have to be careful what he writes in future.

Day 7634

4J said chunks of his diary are missing. And my wages still haven't turned up. Roll on retirement.

Day 7633

That's odd, I should have got paid today and the money hasn't turned up in my account. That can't be good.

Day 7632

That was a great success. The escaped prisoners are back in custody - Simon is in a foul mood and I am increasingly convinced that those two facts are related. How high does this go?

Day 7631

After yesterday's conversation, and whether he knew it or not, 4J gave us some major clues as to the whereabouts of the escaped prisoners. I'm off to catch a train.

Day 7630

Had a long conversation with 4J. He pretty much told me everything he knew about the past few days. Someone just massively increased his chance for an early release.