Warren Fellows

Warren Fellows was an Australian drug smuggler and author who gained prominence through his memoir "The Damage Done," which detailed his harrowing experiences in Thai prisons. Arrested in 1978 for heroin trafficking between Bangkok and Perth, he served 12 years of a life sentence in various Thai prisons. Born in Sydney in 1953 to a family with horse racing connections, Fellows began his descent into crime after working as a barman where he made connections that led him into drug trafficking. His initial involvement began with hashish smuggling from India, later escalating to cocaine runs across multiple countries. The turning point in Fellows' life came when he met drug dealer William Sinclair, who introduced him to Bangkok's heroin trade. This association ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment in Thailand, where he endured severe conditions that he later documented in his writing. "The Damage Done," published after his release, became a significant work in the true crime genre, offering a stark portrayal of life inside Thailand's prison system. Fellows passed away in January 2022 at Ryde Hospital in Sydney.

Readers primarily know Fellows through his memoir "The Damage Done," which receives attention for its raw depiction of Thai prison conditions. What readers liked: - Unvarnished portrayal of prison brutality - Direct, simple writing style - Educational value about consequences of drug trafficking - Personal transformation narrative What readers disliked: - Questions about authenticity of some accounts - Lack of remorse for drug trafficking - Repetitive descriptions of violence - Several readers note Fellows seems to minimize his role in the drug trade Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 from 3,400+ ratings Amazon: 4.4/5 from 500+ reviews Reader quote: "A brutal wake-up call about Thailand's prisons, though Fellows never fully acknowledges the damage his own actions caused." - Goodreads reviewer Many readers express being unable to finish the book due to graphic content, while others cite it as a powerful deterrent against crime. The memoir maintains steady sales among true crime readers despite mixed credibility assessments.

The Damage Done (1997) A firsthand account of the author's 12-year imprisonment in Thailand's prison system after being arrested for heroin trafficking, detailing the brutal conditions and experiences he endured.

David McMillan McMillan wrote "Escape" about his experience in Thailand's Klong Prem prison and his successful breakout in 1996. His first-hand account of Bangkok's prison system parallels Fellows' experiences with similar details about corruption and survival.

Christopher Phelan Phelan documented his time in a Thai prison in "4000 Days" after being arrested for drug trafficking in Bangkok. His narrative focuses on the psychological impact of imprisonment and the daily struggles for survival in the Thai penal system.

Jimmy Bozeman Bozeman wrote "Bangkok Hard Time" based on his experiences in Thai prisons during the 1990s for drug-related offenses. His account provides insights into the criminal underworld of Southeast Asia and the consequences of international drug trafficking.

Rusty Young Young authored "Marching Powder" about a drug trafficker's experiences in Bolivia's San Pedro prison. His work examines the international drug trade and prison life from a perspective similar to Fellows' account.

Sandra Gregory Gregory wrote "Forget You Had a Daughter" about her imprisonment in Thailand for drug smuggling in the 1990s. Her account provides a parallel perspective to Fellows' story, detailing the Thai prison system from a female prisoner's point of view.