In 1964, the security police in Johannesburg detained Hugh Lewin. He was later tried and convicted on changes of sabotage. He spent seven years in prison, secretly recording his expriences, and those of his fellow inmates, on the pages of his Bible. On release, rather then submit to 24-hour arrest, he left South Africa on a one-way visa. Bandiet out of jail contains the original text of Bandiet, together with poetry and pieces written both in exile and since Lewin's return to SA. The work includes accounts of the political prisoners that could not be mentioned in the first book: the story of the death of Bram Fischer and reflections on the attainment of democracy under Mandela the Rain King.