Governor Finn Black
@govfinnblack.bsky.social
Books featuring Governor Finn Black, ex-Royal Marine and prison governor. Fictional character documented by Tony C. Scott, a former prison governor and current member of the Crime Writers' Association.
www.prisoncrime.club #prisoncrimeclub #author
www.prisoncrime.club #prisoncrimeclub #author
Pinned
Get to know Tony, the half-wit who writes (badly) about me, in five facts:
1. Ex-prison governor
2. Not a bad bloke for a civvie
3. Thinks 'North' is the best word in the English language
4. Owns a heavily annotated copy of Jeffrey Archer's 'Prison Diaries'
5. Reg Kray called him "governor"
💙📚
1. Ex-prison governor
2. Not a bad bloke for a civvie
3. Thinks 'North' is the best word in the English language
4. Owns a heavily annotated copy of Jeffrey Archer's 'Prison Diaries'
5. Reg Kray called him "governor"
💙📚
Thoroughly enjoyed @stuartmacbride.bsky.social's The Dead of Winter when it first came out.
Rereading it again now we live in the Cairngorms and I'm bloody sure Glenfarach is based on our local village...
Rereading it again now we live in the Cairngorms and I'm bloody sure Glenfarach is based on our local village...
November 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed @stuartmacbride.bsky.social's The Dead of Winter when it first came out.
Rereading it again now we live in the Cairngorms and I'm bloody sure Glenfarach is based on our local village...
Rereading it again now we live in the Cairngorms and I'm bloody sure Glenfarach is based on our local village...
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
And, let's not forget that the main reason rehabilitation should be front and centre of the criminal justice system is that it helps prevent future victims.
That's the bit most politicians ignore.
That's the bit most politicians ignore.
November 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
And, let's not forget that the main reason rehabilitation should be front and centre of the criminal justice system is that it helps prevent future victims.
That's the bit most politicians ignore.
That's the bit most politicians ignore.
Yup, me too.
So many prisoners have taken a wrong turning, and prison makes it almost impossible for a lot of them to get back on track.
And don't get me started on how Methadone destroyed the vocational training we used to offer.
So many prisoners have taken a wrong turning, and prison makes it almost impossible for a lot of them to get back on track.
And don't get me started on how Methadone destroyed the vocational training we used to offer.
As an ex-prison governor I agree with every single word.
November 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Yup, me too.
So many prisoners have taken a wrong turning, and prison makes it almost impossible for a lot of them to get back on track.
And don't get me started on how Methadone destroyed the vocational training we used to offer.
So many prisoners have taken a wrong turning, and prison makes it almost impossible for a lot of them to get back on track.
And don't get me started on how Methadone destroyed the vocational training we used to offer.
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
New, by me
The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system
The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change
Reflections on the wrongful prison release news
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-real-p...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system
The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change
Reflections on the wrongful prison release news
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-real-p...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system
7th November 2025 The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change * Today’s news is about prisons: * Let us take a step back. There is a serious addiction problem which blights o…
davidallengreen.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:59 AM
New, by me
The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system
The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change
Reflections on the wrongful prison release news
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-real-p...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
The real problem which blights our prison and punishment system
The way we think about custodial sentences is what needs to change
Reflections on the wrongful prison release news
Substack: emptycity.substack.com/p/the-real-p...
Personal blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Interviewer: Tell me about your unique skills.
A: I'm not sure the skills I have are unique to me.
Interviewer: Tell me about your weaknesses.
A: I can be pedantic. #truestory
A: I'm not sure the skills I have are unique to me.
Interviewer: Tell me about your weaknesses.
A: I can be pedantic. #truestory
November 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Interviewer: Tell me about your unique skills.
A: I'm not sure the skills I have are unique to me.
Interviewer: Tell me about your weaknesses.
A: I can be pedantic. #truestory
A: I'm not sure the skills I have are unique to me.
Interviewer: Tell me about your weaknesses.
A: I can be pedantic. #truestory
Yes. Yes it is.
“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.”
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
October 26, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Yes. Yes it is.
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Wonderfully pedantic letter in today’s @financialtimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Wonderfully pedantic letter in today’s @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
October 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Yay. Priceless. The right column at the right time. And a gleefully English two fingers to the haters.
After a run of mostly meh books, I've just finished the simply brilliant Too Old For This by @samanthadowning.bsky.social.
I do hope we see more of the adorable Lottie Jones, the grandma that never killed anybody who didn't need killing.
I do hope we see more of the adorable Lottie Jones, the grandma that never killed anybody who didn't need killing.
October 26, 2025 at 5:58 AM
After a run of mostly meh books, I've just finished the simply brilliant Too Old For This by @samanthadowning.bsky.social.
I do hope we see more of the adorable Lottie Jones, the grandma that never killed anybody who didn't need killing.
I do hope we see more of the adorable Lottie Jones, the grandma that never killed anybody who didn't need killing.
I read your book
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I read your book
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)
October 9, 2025 at 4:42 AM
David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)
This. Absolutely this.
Russ's book is brilliant and I don't begrudge him pushing it at all - and October's resolution is to be more like Russ! 📚💙 #booksky
Russ's book is brilliant and I don't begrudge him pushing it at all - and October's resolution is to be more like Russ! 📚💙 #booksky
This is all authors.
Unless we post about our books, you don't know they exist.
And unless happy readers recommend us, our books die.
And we don't eat.
There is no "marketing dept". Algorithms favour the megastars, so they're no help.
Anyway. I'm sorry for being repetitive. I have no option.
Unless we post about our books, you don't know they exist.
And unless happy readers recommend us, our books die.
And we don't eat.
There is no "marketing dept". Algorithms favour the megastars, so they're no help.
Anyway. I'm sorry for being repetitive. I have no option.
stitch is holding a sign that says `` sorry '' .
ALT: stitch is holding a sign that says `` sorry '' .
media.tenor.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:38 AM
This. Absolutely this.
Russ's book is brilliant and I don't begrudge him pushing it at all - and October's resolution is to be more like Russ! 📚💙 #booksky
Russ's book is brilliant and I don't begrudge him pushing it at all - and October's resolution is to be more like Russ! 📚💙 #booksky
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
This woman is everything to me
September 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
This woman is everything to me
If you can bring yourself to ignore the amateurish covers, you might enjoy reading about Finn's shenanigans in Leeds, north Wales, and Shetland.
In the meantime enjoy this video of Shetland.
There were brief moments of calm, despite Finn getting boisterous with the Russians...
📚💙 #booksky
In the meantime enjoy this video of Shetland.
There were brief moments of calm, despite Finn getting boisterous with the Russians...
📚💙 #booksky
September 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
If you can bring yourself to ignore the amateurish covers, you might enjoy reading about Finn's shenanigans in Leeds, north Wales, and Shetland.
In the meantime enjoy this video of Shetland.
There were brief moments of calm, despite Finn getting boisterous with the Russians...
📚💙 #booksky
In the meantime enjoy this video of Shetland.
There were brief moments of calm, despite Finn getting boisterous with the Russians...
📚💙 #booksky
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
I used an early version of AI to 'placemark' covers for the series.
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
September 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I used an early version of AI to 'placemark' covers for the series.
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
I used an early version of AI to 'placemark' covers for the series.
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
September 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I used an early version of AI to 'placemark' covers for the series.
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
Finally sold enough books to be able to commission someone to create unique ones.
Well, that didn't work out:
Designer #1: Simply redid the covers in the same style using better AI. Told me "everyone does it".
#booksky 📚💙 1/2
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
A Journalist on the Inside Upends Good vs. Evil Criminal Stereotypes www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/b...
#truecrime #journalism #prisons
#truecrime #journalism #prisons
A Journalist on the Inside Upends Good vs. Evil Criminal Stereotypes
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
A Journalist on the Inside Upends Good vs. Evil Criminal Stereotypes www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/b...
#truecrime #journalism #prisons
#truecrime #journalism #prisons
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Written by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital, London after the Tommy Robinson march on 13/9.
September 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Written by a doctor at St Thomas' Hospital, London after the Tommy Robinson march on 13/9.
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Bear with me, I anticipate your disagreement. There is a clear pattern to the advice given to those who want to press back against rising racism. What it boils down to is that if you point out that racism is often being dressed up as “legitimate concerns” you will alienate people. /1
September 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Bear with me, I anticipate your disagreement. There is a clear pattern to the advice given to those who want to press back against rising racism. What it boils down to is that if you point out that racism is often being dressed up as “legitimate concerns” you will alienate people. /1
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Hundreds of prison officers may have to leave UK after Labour’s visa rule change www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Hundreds of prison officers may have to leave UK after Labour’s visa rule change
Prison Officers’ Association says change in eligibility for skilled work visas is ‘disgraceful’ and ‘pandering to Reform’
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Hundreds of prison officers may have to leave UK after Labour’s visa rule change www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I really must stop ignoring widely lauded books on the basis they can't be *that* good.
Because my life could have been filled with Kate Atkinson far sooner.
What an extraordinary book Started Early, Took My Dog is.
(Side note: How can any of us compete with writing of this quality?) 📚💙
Because my life could have been filled with Kate Atkinson far sooner.
What an extraordinary book Started Early, Took My Dog is.
(Side note: How can any of us compete with writing of this quality?) 📚💙
September 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I really must stop ignoring widely lauded books on the basis they can't be *that* good.
Because my life could have been filled with Kate Atkinson far sooner.
What an extraordinary book Started Early, Took My Dog is.
(Side note: How can any of us compete with writing of this quality?) 📚💙
Because my life could have been filled with Kate Atkinson far sooner.
What an extraordinary book Started Early, Took My Dog is.
(Side note: How can any of us compete with writing of this quality?) 📚💙
Everyone's favourite library knocking it out of the park - again!
It's seven years since we posted on Twitter about how kids kept coming into the library asking if we had any books about FORTNITE. We didn't back then, and we'd never heard of it so we tried asking what it was.
September 4, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Everyone's favourite library knocking it out of the park - again!
Forgot to say how good this is; melancholic yet offering the hope of redemption that's so important to those of us who've fucked up but spend each day trying to do better.
Simply outstanding.
Simply outstanding.
@authorpetermay.bsky.social's The Black Loch is on sale as a Kindle book for 99p.
That's the weekend's reading taken care of. Cutting the lawn can wait...
That's the weekend's reading taken care of. Cutting the lawn can wait...
September 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Forgot to say how good this is; melancholic yet offering the hope of redemption that's so important to those of us who've fucked up but spend each day trying to do better.
Simply outstanding.
Simply outstanding.
Reposted by Governor Finn Black
Compare Vonnegut buying an envelope with this tech bro running from his life
May 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Compare Vonnegut buying an envelope with this tech bro running from his life
This is an astonishingly good novel from an astonishingly good writer.
Forgot to mention - also available as an eBook on loads of other platforms (for those of you who are justifiably allergic to Amazon).
Find #BabysBreath on your platform here
books2read.com/u/bPO6Ql
Find #BabysBreath on your platform here
books2read.com/u/bPO6Ql
September 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
This is an astonishingly good novel from an astonishingly good writer.