Overview

Arthur Taylor is New Zealand's best known, most influential, and colourful career criminal. A household name, he was paroled from prison in 2019 after more than 38 years behind bars. His life story is nothing short of remarkable. He has more than 150 convictions ranging from bank robberies to fraud, theft, escaping, and having weapons and explosives. He has served in New Zealand's most notorious high security prison, Auckland Prison at Paremoremo, including eight months in solitary confinement. But Arthur isn't what most people might expect. Now in his sixties and living in Dunedin, Arthur is an engaging, highly intelligent man who studied law behind bars and took on precedent-setting cases against Corrections and the Crown, cementing himself as one of the foremost authorities on prisoners' rights. He has become, perhaps, a poster child for redemption and rehabilitation. He is now an advocate for prisoners, and a bloody good storyteller. During his time in prison, Arthur masterminded two particularly audacious prison escapes including a weeks-long caper where he and three others holed up at a millionaire's mansion. He has shared cells with some of the country's most feared killers (readers will come across high profile inmates such as William Bell, Liam Reid, Scott Watson, Leslie Maurice Green and Graeme Burton) and is responsible for one of the country's most bizarre behind-bars weddings. His stories of prison life are entertaining, gripping; sometimes horrifying. This book is the story of Arthur Taylor's life, and a potted history of the prison system, particularly prisoners' rights, in New Zealand, including the work put into ensuring prisoners were given the right to vote. It details Arthur's mistakes, his triumphs, and how he outsmarted prison guards - ""screws"" - Corrections, and other officials, time and again. It's a warts-and-all look at prison life, and a no-apologies insight into how the prison system can change you for the better, or the worse, told in Arthur's own distinctive voice.

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9781988547688

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Reviews

'Prison Break is an intelligently written memoir written by a highly talented author, remarkable for its honesty, candour, and Arthur's obvious passion for natural justice. It is a fast and racy read, the pace of which never flags throughout. The reader's attention is grabbed from the start, with detailed and exciting narratives based on Arthur's obvious capacity for recall and the detail he includes to colour his stories. He comments with complete candour on the characters and personalities of many of the high-profile criminals with whom he has associated over the past 65 years, as well as many of the justice officials and judges he has encountered. He also provides interesting and detailed explanations of some of the many legal battles he has been involved with against the Department of Corrections and some of its officials. Over the years I have read many memoirs of criminals and inmates, published in New Zealand and internationally. With the high quality of its writing, the intelligence of its analysis and the excitement of the subject matter, this book certainly stands out as one of the best.' Greg Newbold, Professor Emeritus, University of Canterbury 'The good, the very bad, and the unbelievable - Arthur Taylor's life has had it all.' Mike White, author of Who Killed Scott Guy? 'A law professor told me he thought Arthur Taylor is one of New Zealand's great legal minds. It just so happens he's a great storyteller, too.' Jarrod Gilbert, author of Patched: the History of Gangs in New Zealand.

Author Information

Arthur Taylor is one of New Zealand's most high-profile prisoners, having more than 150 convictions and having served more than 38 years in prison. While in prison, Arthur educated himself, studying by correspondence for a legal executive qualification. He has represented himself in court since the 1980s, often successfully and is regarded as one of New Zealand's foremost authorities on prisoners' rights. Arthur is now on parole and living in Dunedin where he continues to advocate for prisoners' rights.

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