Bandiet out of Jail

About the book

Convicted on charges of protest sabotage in 1964, Hugh Lewin spent seven years in prison in South Africa, secretly recording his experiences and those of his fellow inmates on the pages of his Bible. On his release, these writings were published in London while the book remained banned in South Africa for many years. Hailed as a classic of South African prison writing, Bandiet out of Jail contains the full text of the original, as well as poems and descriptions of Lewin’s experiences with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that offer unique insights into changes in the political and emotional landscape since his return to South Africa in 1992. The illustrations comprise original prison drawings by Harold Strachan, twice a fellow bandiet with Lewin in Pretoria. Bandiet out of Jail was awarded the Olive Schreiner Prize in 2003.