Stuart Reid’s debut 612-page tome, 10 YEARS A CAT A, provides a gripping exploration of the UK's high-security prisons, uncovering the hidden world behind their walls. Through vivid storytelling and personal experience, Reid reveals the daily struggles, power dynamics, and psychological challenges faced by both inmates and prison officers. The book offers a rare and eye-opening glimpse into a secretive environment, raising important questions about justice, survival, and humanity in one of society’s most isolated and intense settings.
The book
Step into the shadowy world of the UK’s high-security prisons, where the country’s most dangerous and notorious inmates are held.
This gripping memoir takes you behind the bars of a Category A prison, revealing the harsh realities and hidden truths of life inside.
Locked away in the high-security estate, life becomes a constant battle for survival.
The book delves into the day-to-day existence of a Category A, High-Risk prisoner, exploring the intense security measures, the complex social dynamics, and the unyielding routine.
From the initial shock of imprisonment to the slow passage of time, every aspect of this unique experience is laid bare.
10 Years a Cat A book
“A harrowing yet compelling read that sheds light on the hidden corners of the UK’s prison system. A must-read for anyone interested in criminal justice”
Reid is also a former nightclub boss who owned and ran The Eclipse, Coventry. The legendary club was opened in 1990 and became the UK's first legal all-night rave club. It revolutionised the rave scene and was known for its dark, dirty dance floors; it’s lasers and lights; it’s banging sound system and the electric atmosphere. The venue quickly became a hardcore ravers paradise, attracting top DJs and live PAs from across the country. It was a hub for the burgeoning electronic dance music culture, offering a space where people could dance freely until dawn. The club's success was a milestone, legitimising the rave movement and setting the stage for the explosion of the ‘super club’ culture in the UK throughout the 1990s. The Eclipse remains an iconic chapter in dance music history and invokes many fond memories in ageing ravers (and DJs) … watch this space!
Category A
High Risk
Clothing
Category A High Risk urban clothing blends street wear with elements inspired by prison culture, incorporating graphics and terminology associated with the UK's prison system. This line features bold designs, including prison service and government-inspired typography and iconography. Going forward the line will include phrases and codes familiar to those within the system, offering a raw, authentic edge. This style appeals to those who identify with, or want to express solidarity with the struggles of the incarcerated, merging fashion with a statement of resistance.
Category A:
Prisoners whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public or the police or the state and for whom the aim must be to make escape impossible.
High Risk (Altus Periculum):
A prisoner charged with a serious offence which would make them highly dangerous if at large. Intelligence received either internally or from external agencies would suggest that the individual has access to the type of resources and associates that could provide assistance in attempting to facilitate an escape and the propensity to activate them.