Robert Jeffrey, author of the bestselling "Barlinnie Story" and other true crime books, now tells the remarkable story of the infamous Peterhead Prison in Scotland's far north-east. Built in the 1880s as part of an ambitious humanitarian plan to use convict labour to construct a 'harbour of refuge' on the town's wild, storm-battered coast, it became what some call Scotland's gulag. A cold and brutal place, it has held down the years some of Scotland's most violent criminals and most infamous prisoners, convicted of the most heinous of crimes. In the early days, convicts were controlled by men as hard as their charges. The wardens carried swords and were quick to use them if necessary. And when convict labour was used to build the harbour, they worked with rifles trained on them at all times. Peterhead's wardens were clearly not to be crossed. Throughout the history of the prison, riots and breakouts have made headlines, with the SAS involved in restoring order at one point.Peterhead also had the reputation of being so secure that escape was impossible, with the notable exception of Johnny Ramensky, the safeblower turned war hero who went back to his criminal ways and spent more than forty years of his life in prison, many of them in Peterhead. He became the first inmate to escape and repeated the exercise four more times, often for his own satisfaction and amusement, each time being recaptured after a short taste of freedom. "Peterhead - Scotland's Toughest Prison" tells the remarkable inside story of a truly grim institution with a fearsome reputation.

James Crosbie was Britain's most wanted man in 1974. With a successful business and an enviable lifestyle, he seemed to have everything going for him - until he got bored with his life and turned to armed robbery. He ended up in Peterhead Prison, doing time with some of the hardest, and funniest, men in crime. Peterhead Porridge is a remarkable account of the people he met. People like The Saughton Harrier who escaped from prison by dressing up as a runner, complete with running vest and number, and joining in as a race went by. And another escapee, Tweety Pie, was so-called because, when he flew the coop, he had a nasty case of jaundice. Then there's Square Go, the prison warder who was always up for a fight. And discover the practical jokes that were the trademark of Glasgow's Godfather Arthur Thompson and what really happened when someone poured their porridge over his head in the breakfast queue. Funny, sad and at times barely believable, Peterhead Porridge is a unique insight into the other side of prison life.

In all their postings, Maurice and Katie enthusiastically explored their surroundings, on foot, by canoe or by dog team, camping in tents or igloos, and relishing the spectacular landscapes."

CRAIGINCHES – Life in Aberdeen's Prison is the story of this forbidding place from its early days to its recent closure, told by former prison officer Bryan Glennie. Having lived and breathed the life of the prison up to his retirement, this is the real inside story of rooftop riots, botched escapes, drugs being smuggled, prisoners brewing beer in dung heaps and the prison's only hanging, as well as dramatic tales of deployment to Peterhead when the SAS stormed D wing. Craiginches had another side too, with visits from Princess Anne, Robbie Shepherd, Charlie Nicholas, Evelyn Glennie and many more who have had a direct connection with the prison thanks to Bryan. All part of the constant efforts to rehabilitate as many prisoners as possible through events inside the prison and valuable conservation and community projects outside. And there's also Bryan's very special relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson which has endured through the decades. This is a unique insight into prison life in Craiginches, showing both the difficulties and dangers that were a part of everyday life and the rewarding side of the job when inmates gave something positive back to society.