‘Redeemable: A Memoir of Darkness and Hope’: Erwin James talks about his new book

Erwin James, the author and Guardian columnist who served 20 years in prison for murder, is to come to St John’s to discuss his new memoir and the concept of redemption.

After losing his mother age seven, Erwin James was passed between foster homes after his father became a violent alcoholic. By the age of 10, James had been arrested for his first offence and his crimes became increasingly violent until he was finally jailed for two murders aged 27.

While serving a life sentence in Wakefield Prison, James met Joan Branton, a prison psychologist. Branton had an overwhelmingly positive influence on James, and, after helping him understand how his painful past had shaped his life and persuading him he could have some value in society, James joined an evening class in English – a subject for which he had always had a natural ability.

James went on to gain a BA in History and became a writer for the Guardian, penning a weekly column about prison life.  On his release, after serving 20 years of his sentence, James continued working for the Guardian and started writing his own books.

The talk at St John’s will focus on James’ life story, raising questions about how society deals with criminals. Should people who have done the wrong thing have the chance to re-join the community and make a positive contribution? And, if so, how can the criminal justice system better promote the rehabilitation of offenders?

James’ talk has been arranged by Ruth Armstrong (Research Associate in Criminology at St John’s and British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Criminology) and Amy Ludlow (Fellow at Gonville and Caius and lecturer in the Law Department).

The talk will take place at 7:30pm on Thursday 12 May in the Boys Smith Room at St John’s College. The event is free with no prior booking required and there will be cheese and wine after the talk.