In 1985 Michael Bettsworth, a school headmaster served six months in prison. In this often shocking book he describes the humiliation of being branded a "nonce" (sex offender), the petty deprivations of prison life, the harsh restrictions of even a "progressive" open prison and the demoralizing effects of the parole system. Michael Bettsworth poses the crucial question: are the convicted sent to prison as punishment or for punishment? Through his account of the conditons, the relations between prisoners and staff, the stories of his fellow inmates, and the psychological effects on both the prisoner and his family, he provides a thought-provoking insight into one of the most important issues facing society today.