Prison Break

Prison Break by Arthur Taylor offers a compelling insight into the life of New Zealand's most infamous, influential, and charismatic career criminal. Known nationwide, Taylor was paroled in 2019 after spending over 38 years in prison.

Arthur's life story is truly extraordinary. With over 150 convictions for crimes such as bank robberies, fraud, theft, escaping, and possession of weapons and explosives, his criminal endeavours are extensive. Serving time in New Zealand's most notorious high-security institution, Auckland Prison at Paremoremo, he spent eight months in solitary confinement. Yet, Arthur defies expectations.

Now in his sixties and residing in Dunedin, Arthur is a captivating and highly intelligent individual. He studied law while incarcerated and took on precedent-setting cases against Corrections and the Crown, establishing himself as a leading authority on prisoners' rights. Arthur has evolved into an advocate for prisoners and is a remarkable storyteller.

During his incarceration, Arthur orchestrated two audacious prison escapes, including a caper where he and accomplices hid in a millionaire's mansion for weeks. He has shared cells with some of New Zealand's most feared criminals, such as William Bell, Liam Reid, Scott Watson, Leslie Maurice Green, and Graeme Burton, and even orchestrated one of the country's most peculiar prison weddings. His tales of prison life are engaging and gripping, sometimes horrifying.

Prison Break chronicles Arthur Taylor's life and provides a concise history of the prison system and prisoners' rights in New Zealand, including efforts to secure the right to vote for inmates. The book covers Arthur's mistakes, his victories, and his repeated success in outsmarting prison guards, Corrections, and other officials.

This is a candid exploration of prison life, offering unapologetic insights into how the penal system can impact an individual, for better or worse, all told in Arthur's distinctive voice.