Former Furness prison officer writes The Accidental Screw

Ulverston-born John Nixon also wrote the book as a reflection on a 'rural upbringing experience amongst a largely now-vanished way of life.' 

After leaving Cartmel Church of England school in 1968, he 'made his living in varied ways' until he joined Her Majesty's Prison Service in 1974. He initially worked at Gartree Maximum Security Prison in Leicestershire before working in HMP Haverigg in 1977. 

He served as a prison officer for 32 years. After retiring, he became a self-employed writer. 

John is normally an aviation history author and has written books such as the history of RAF Cark in Wings over Sands, the history of RAF Walney Airfield in Warbirds of Walney (which was shortlisted in the Lakeland Book of the Year), The History of RAF Millom, and Veterans Voices which is a book containing personal accounts of wartime experiences. 

He said that the book for him was: "Very much a step outside the box for me. I found it more difficult to write than history - my wife has been on about it for years.

"I started writing about my early life - taking people through the old industries my father was involved in. I set myself the task of keeping it down to 200 pages, I didn't want it to be a catalogue of gory stories (about the prison). I wanted it to be an accessible read, humourous and self-deprecating that all will enjoy." 

He said that some of the experiences he had as a young lad accompanying his father to the Blue Mills 'would not be allowed now' but he viewed it as an adventure.

When he finished the book, he said: "It is rather like a new baby, when you take it out on the pram you might think it is the most gorgeous thing but everyone thinks it is ugly."

Happily, he said the response to it so far has been 'absolutely incredible' and the book is selling faster online than anything else he has written. 

On November 19, John will be doing a book signing at the local Hospice shop in Ulverston, with proceeds going to the Hospice.