“Teaching in the jail system is a surreal experience, a whole other existence. In this bizarreness you encounter things that make you shake your head, shake your fist, cry your heart out, laugh your head off and blow your mind. And I felt compelled to write it down; to capture its un-realness. Hopefully I can convey some of this in The Criminal Class.”
The only door in the room was now closed and sitting before me was a murderer, a rapist, an armed robber and a guy serving six years for grievous bodily harm.
Each of them had a sharpened pencil in their hands; a potential weapon. I had been forewarned yet I had handed them out willingly. I looked at these four brutes trying not to stare but conscious of not looking away in fear either. All four of them had their eyes fixed on me too; sussing out the new guy. In silence I shot back a tight-lipped grin. Slowly but purposefully, I glanced at the secured metal door and, next to it, the red duress button on the wall. I guessed the distance to be three metres. I looked back at the prisoners and wondered, if it came to it, would I be able to press that button or exit the doorway before they could get to me? I didn’t fancy my chances…
The Criminal Class is based on the true-life experiences of an everyday teacher who makes the precarious career transition to an Education Officer in the prison system. Dealing with both the law enforcers and the law breakers, but not bound by any normal allegiances, he finds himself having to thread the rocky path of an outsider on the inside. His surreal experiences will compel you as they draw you in. The bizarreness he encountered will make you shake your head, pump your fist, cry your heart out, laugh your head off and blow your mind.
2GB Drive Interview with Chris O’Keefe
TV Interview – Studio 10 on NETWORK 10 AUSTRALIA
bs_admin –
Oh my god. I just finished Paul’s book, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Please pass on to Paul for me!!! So bloody impressed, amazingly written and stories so well told. Just loved it. Didn’t want it to end!! Katie Ridgway
Marg P. –
I just finished reading The Criminal Class. I couldn’t put it down and absolutely loved it! It was quite educational with an unexpected amount of laughs amongst the sad reality. The insight gained into a side of life that I’ve never experienced has deepened my respect for the work. It really rings true and I hope it is a big success.
Tony T. –
Just had three days relaxing on Fraser Island with a book, sorry THE book, The Criminal Class. Really good to see it from a civilian’s perspective. It is real, sad, funny, surreal – all at the same time.
Angela C. –
I just finished the audiobook and loved it!!!!
Mairi M. –
OMG! The Criminal Class is awesome! IT IS UNPUTDOWNABLE!
Ian S. –
Well written, gripping and very dramatic. A ‘brutal’ portrayal of life in prison and revealing the inmate’s true identity and character.
Grimley’s wife Booktopia –
Top class
I usually find memoirs tedious but this book is anything but. An insight into a side of life most of us have little to no experience of, this is an educational, often funny, and thought-provoking read. Written in self-contained chapters it is an easy to dip in and out of or you can read it in a page-turning sitting as I did. The writer is witty and self-deprecating. The question of punishment versus rehabilitation is explored as is the politics of the system. There is violence, death and brutality as you would expect of any prison story but the human struggles and sad realities are explored as well. Many of the stories are surprising and there are no pat answers.
Joy de Roos –
A must read for anyone wondering why our prision system does not rehabilitate those who go through it. If we all read and understood the culture of the system as outline in Paul’s book, even though fiction, then we may be more than willing to overhaul the system and give these people a chance to become productive citizens.
T – Goodreads –
Do you view incarceration as a form of punishment or rehabilitation? No matter your persuasion, this book will not only give you insight into the opposing camp, but at times get you crossing over to join them. As a storyteller, Paul is able to take the reader into the moment by providing a minimalist, yet effective background for each scenario presented. As an insider, the writer introduces us to infamous individuals, and the men and women who are tasked with overseeing them out of sight, behind bars for months, years, and occasionally, decades. The imperfections of the human psyche is laid bare on so many levels – to the point that, as a reader, I at times came to view some perpetrators as victims, some staff as perpetrators / criminals, and the system as corrupt. And then the question arises: is this system representative of society as a whole? Are the locked up individuals just the few careless citizens from the general population who got caught? The book will bring on anger, disgust, sadness, frustration, and believe it or not: laughter. I would love to see it on screen someday. A Highly recommended read.
Emma – Goodreads –
A great read that is riveting, intriguing and humorous, I highly recommend.
I love how the author shapes his characters and each chapter draws you in from the start and ends with a bang!
An insightful read that gives a different perspective, not from a jailee or prison officer. It’s a though-provoking read that leaves you wanting more.
Lisa Ridgway – Goodreads –
A no nonsense but completely objectively written account of the writers experience in the NSW penitentiary world. Confronting but unable to put it down. Each chapter told the story of an inmate he encountered in the classroom. A definite page turner.
Grimley’S Wife – Goodreads –
I found The Criminal Class educational, entertaining and challenging. The episodic style makes for easy reading. The writer is a keen observer but not judgmental. This book sheds light on prison life for the ordinary reader while not shying away from the sad realities of many inmates lives. There is the usual violence, death and brutal prison guards that you expect in a “prison story” but a lot more besides. The details of the politics and bureaucracy are just as fascinating. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Megan Ridgway – Goodreads –
This is a fabulous book. I couldn’t put it down. I love how the author uses humour but also has the utmost respect for other peoples circumstances.
Alex – Goodreads –
Interesting insight into the prison system!! A thought provoking read.
Sally Brailsford – Goodreads –
A well written, easy to read, thoughtful & interesting set of stories which provide an insight into the prison system and the cycle of incarceration. I really enjoyed The Criminal Class.
Emma Blane – Goodreads –
Loved it from start to finish! A unique perspective and experience of the Australian correctional system and described in such an easy to read and humorous way that you’ll want to read it cover to cover and then start all over again.
Robert Connelly – Goodreads –
As MacNamara says in his Prologue “….found out I worked in a jail, people’s curiosity would be immediately aroused.”
Each chapter is repetitive in type of content and yet a different individual’s story.
I found it an interesting read with the author illustrating his real life characters with a personality that rang true; stories that almost defy understanding, yet they are true.
Jacqui Hinshaw – Goodreads –
An informative look at what goes on inside our prisons. Extremely well written & poses questions that should be considered by the wider community. A page turner, I couldn’t put it down.
Heather Strong – Goodreads –
The Criminal Class – a great insight into Australias Correctional Centres and the day to day interactions between teacher / student circumnavigating a system of what seems to be a hamster wheel . Dealing with the meekest to the deadliest prisoners, would make for a nail biting day at the office. Are they taking anything away from these classes or an excuse to be doing other dealings. Makes you question the thinking of how can these people be rehabilitated and how can it be done better.. Can it be done better or are just boxes being ticked.. Paul takes us into a world of characters that all have a story. It starts somewhere. Great read…
Kevin – Goodreads –
The Criminal Class gives a warts and all objective look at the Correctional System from the inside. It is very engaging with each chapter a short story in itself with an overall linking theme.
It is highly recommended, I think everyone should read this book just to get a real understanding of how dysfunctional the Correctional system is!
Joyde – Booktopia –
Great book. I have read it and would like everyone to read it to see what our justice or penal system does and doesn’t do to stop people reoffending.
Shazz – Booktopia –
Absolutely awesome! This book was so well written and had me enthralled with each chapter. Can’t wait for a sequel. Great read!
Leesa – Booktopia –
Page Turner. Couldn’t put this book down. Confronting but incredibly eye opening. A book everyone should read.
Country Clare – Booktopia –
A must read! A great read that is riveting, intriguing and humorous, I highly recommend. I love how the author shapes his characters and each chapter draws you in from the start and ends with a bang! An insightful read that gives a different perspective, not from a jailee or prison officer. It’s a thought-provoking read that leaves you wanting more.
Mary – Booktopia –
Fantastic read. Amazing insight into a world I had never even considered. Funny, sad and intriguing. Very easy to read but it makes you think about how the criminal justice system works and are we really making a difference at all for the offenders and those offended against.
Grimley’s wife – Booktopia –
Top Class. I usually find memoir tedious but this book is anything but. An insight into a side of life most of us have little to no experience of, this is an educational, often funny and thought provoking read. Written in self contained chapters it is an easy to dip in and out of or you can read it in a page turning sitting as I did. The writer is witty and self deprecating. The question of punishment versus rehabilitation is explored as is the politics of the system. There is violence, death and brutality as you would expect of any prison story but the human struggles and sad realities are explored as well. Many of the stories are surprising and there are no pat answers.
Audible Review` –
A book that took you on a journey through our juridical system. I found it a Great read!!!
Audible Review –
What a fantastic read. So well written and had me hooked all the way through. I can’t wait to see if there is going to be a sequel.
Audible Review –
Loved the book! Written with heart and humour.
I found this book a page turner. I love how the book is structured, introducing a new character and their story of an often harsh reality of crime each chapter. It is written so well and descriptively, I’d love to see the characters come to life on the ‘ big screen’. Insights are given into a world where most of us will never go, which makes the story all the more fascinating. Tommy’s account of teaching prisoners in an often broken institution in which he finds himself an “outsider on the inside”, is informative, heartbreaking, funny and sad. It is written with humour and heart as the author explores a difficult and unenviable situation for all involved…Prison.
Audible Review –
Unputdownable is probably the wrong word given the medium, but you get the gist. I have never read a memoir before but, I cannot wait for the next one. I presume there will be a next one. There has to be a next one.
Audible Review –
What a fantastic audiobook. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. the characters are so descriptive they just come alive. A great insight into the prison system and an enlightening perspective. The author has a great style of writing that makes listening easy. The narrator’s voice is calm sounding just how would imagine the teacher would be. It’s very funny in parts which balance out the harsh reality and sadness of the whole system.
Kindle Review – Amazon –
Loved it from start to finish! A unique perspective and experience of the Australian prison system and described in such an easy to read and humorous way that you’ll want to read it cover to cover and then start all over again.
Talking Books – TLC –
Paul MacNamara, author of The Criminal Class is interviewed by Julie Henry, Talking Books on TLC FM 93.5 in November 2022
https://youtu.be/0VFG5srqT8E
Lauren –
“Fantastic book – didn’t want it to end! Very insightful, an eye opener into our jail system. Thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style and the way each chapter started with a mini story within the story. Highly recommend.
Fred De Bold –
“Great debut by this author. The behind the scenes perspective into the prison system is a winner. Engagingly told by a narrator, who seems to get into trouble within the system as often as the inmates he writes about.”
Meg R –
“I couldn’t put it down, a real page turner. A fascinating insight into aspects of Australia’s prison system from an educator’s perspective.”
Janine –
“A great book. Definitely got me back into reading!”
Dinga –
“Funny, depressing and simultaneously compelling.”
Shaun –
“Genuinely well-crafted writing. A quite unique genre, completely different from the usual crime novels.”
Angela –
“It’s books like this that will bring about change. Insightful, poignant, gobsmacking and very funny at times. A must read.”
Carol W –
“The best book that I have read for a very long time”
Brian –
“Essential reading. Amusing, shocking and often poignant. A great book.”
Emma B –
“Loved it from start to finish! You’ll want to read it cover to cover and then start all over again.”
Maggie N –
“Eye opening and many times quite shocking”
Teeps GC –
You Need To Read This Book! As a fan of TV crime shows, and with a career in crime reporting, I thought nothing could shock or surprise me about the prison system. Then I read The Criminal Class! I found myself gasping, shaking my head, feeling infuriated, and laughing out loud in disbelief. Paul is a brilliant storyteller, and I could definitely see this as a gripping TV series. Would make an excellent Book Club choice.
David B –
A weirdly enjoyable experience. A well-crafted, insightful, thought provoking, authentic and, dare I say, a weirdly enjoyable experience. Highlights the narrow approach to the criminal justice system and the absurdities of the public service. An honest and valuable comment in a bigger conversation of how society deals with offenders, but also the offending behaviour of those on the right side of the law.
Anne M –
More than a novel. Brilliant. I really enjoyed the book as a novel, but when I finished reading (listening) I was left with so many questions and a little despair about the effectiveness of incarceration as punishment. I laughed, cried, let out audible gasps. Everything you expect from a great read.
Sue C –
A riveting read! This well-constructed memoir delves into a serious subject with compassion and a wry sense of humour. It is both enlightening and very entertaining.
Peter R –
It’s no surprise that an experienced teacher of English and writing writes so well. Apart from a well-crafted and very easy to read book, in fact I found it to be a page turner, the author takes the reader into the different and colliding worlds of the byzantine NSW criminal justice system. The author narrates and avoids judgement yet displays compassion without pollyannaism whilst he continues to do what he can to help the lives of his students.
Tamara –
A great mix of entertainment and unique insight. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone – you don’t need to be a true crime fan.