After thirty years with the Prison Service, Richard was awarded the Imperial Service Medal and it was at this time that he decided to record his lifetime's experiences in the form of this autobiography.
Born in Great Stukeley, Hunts in 1935, he received an Elementary education and left school with no formal qualifications. Other he says, than those provided by “The University of Life” He started his working life as a Police Cadet and was then conscripted into the Royal Military Police. After being demobbed, Richard went into the civilian Police Force and served with both City and County ' forces.
He left the Police to become a store detective and then joined the Prison Service as an officer, remaining until retirement when he had reached the position of Unit Line Manager. During this time with the prison service he worked at a wide range of establishments, from high security units to open prisons and with both adult and young offenders.
Richard was involved in personnel management, as well as staff training at both local and national level and even ran a small, specialized, prison in what was once a stately home.
Richard now enjoys his retirement nurturing his garden and keeps up with the latest sports news along with his dear wife Margaret and their daughter Ellen.

Richard is a popular speaker and is available to come and speak at your venue weekdays, weekends, evenings and cancellations. he covers the areas of the midlands and East Anglia, and other areas by negotiation.

Richard has a good grounding for giving talks to groups and since retiring, he has presented his talks to numerous groups of people from a wide range of backgrounds. His talks last approximately 45 minutes.

The following is the list of his talks.

1. History of British prisons---From the days of the hulks to the Mountbatton report.

2. My life as a prison Officer---A tour of how prisons really are:a humorous, but Realistic account of both sides of the story.

3. Richard combines two subjects in this talk. Six Days to do it in & Sudbury. ---The humorous trials and tribulations involved in converting a camp used for vietnamese boat people into a fully Operational prison in six days. and The open prison concept.

4. Excuse me madam but ..Anecdotes of working as a store detective.

5. Lifers---An insight into working with prisoners serving life sentences.

6. In search of the Phoenix---Working with youngsters in custody.

Richards talks are in constant demand, and are not only very interesting and informative but also humorous.

To book Richard for one of his talks phone on 01283 701257