INVITATION TO A FUNERAL

NEIL ‘Sam’ Samworth spent 11 years working the landings, cells, exercise yards and healthcare unit of Manchester’s Strangeways prison.

Now, the former prison officer has lifted the lid on his time in the jail home not to just local offenders, but the country’s most notorious criminals - in a tell-all book, called ‘Strangeways: A Prison Officer’s Story.’

Covering from 2005 to 2016, his account is a visceral account of life on the other side of the wall.

Samworth, who also worked at HMP Forest Bank, describes HMP Manchester, to use its official name, as a essentially well-run, disciplined prison.

But that doesn’t make his recollections any less shocking. He criticises the actions of former colleagues, lays bare his dislike of some inmates, and paints a vivid picture of a system under pressure.

Here, chief reporter Neal Keeling takes a detailed look at Samworth’s warts and all story.

Escorting prisoners out of jail to attend family funerals was a tense part of the job, according to Samworth.

On one occasion he took a Salford prisoner to a funeral service where he and other officers were intimidated and sworn at by mourners.

They then had to continue to the graveside, and as the coffin was lowered a large crowd gathered including ‘some very big guys in wrap-around shades.’

“It was as if they were there to see off Tony Soprano. We were not only outnumbered but surrounded.”

Neil was convinced mourners were armed with weapons, including a revolver tucked in trousers and bolt croppers.

For several nervous minutes he was convinced the prisoner and his brother, who was there from another jail, were intent on doing a bunk.

“I’d never known tension like it. People were waiting for the nod,” he writes.

In the end, Neil’s prisoner was as good as gold, hugged his mum, and the tension evaporated.