A sense of freedom

This autobiography by Jimmy Boyle chronicles his life from his harsh upbringing in Glasgow’s Gorbals to his career in crime and subsequent imprisonment.

In 1967, Boyle was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another gangland figure, a crime he denies committing.

The book details his experiences in prison, including the brutal conditions and his eventual rehabilitation through art therapy in the Barlinnie Special Unit.

Boyle's story is a powerful critique of the prison system and a testament to his personal transformation from a hardened gangster to a sculptor and community worker.