I managed to get through prison security without too much stress. I have always imagined that the officers in women's prisons are marginally more empathetic than in men's. That was my experience at my mother's prison anyway.

"You're Caroline Langley's son aren't you?" asked the female guard.

"I am." I replied. She eyed me up and down, smiling.

"I'm glad she's getting out. She's been in here way too long."

"Eleven long years. That's what you get for protecting an eight year old from a psychopath." I replied bitterly.

"She should never have been jailed. It was defence of a child."

"Amen to that." I agreed.

The officer opened a...