The government seems determined to slash billions from the cost of running the country, and what with that promised VAT increase, the future looks very grim indeed.
And yet there's one side of life that just might find itself better off. It seems - fingers crossed - the vast numbers in prison are to be radically reduced.
So while the media portrays us inside - whether, like me, the prisoners are not guilty, or if they are one-mistakers, or rated as recidivists - as enemies of society, we are the one sector likely to be better off.
While people out there worry gloomily about October, giving the name itself the bleakest sound, our residents see word October as a sort of password to joy.
'October, October, October!' they cry with smiles that we aren't used to exercising.
Not only do we believe that the government is going to slash prison numbers, everyone inside seems to accept that the government will be forced to implement recent changes in European Law. This means that people cannot be held in captivity at the whim of a bureaucrat.
The EU says we must do our tariff - and not a day more.
Nowadays, lifers do their tariff as a basic stretch, and then wait and wait for a bureaucrat to decide if they are 'ready' for society. It's as if the bureaucrats think they are cleverer than judges.
Well, perhaps, no more. If the powers that be do obey legislation and accept the law of Europe, many prisoners believe a miracle will happen.
The gates of misery will fling open. All those over their tariff will go home.
'Blimey,' said Frank, a couple of cells along from me, full of smiles and tears, 'we're going 'ome, Roge. We're goin' 'ome. At last.'
Frank doesn't have many bags, but they are packed ready. And all around it's Chinese whispers and gleeful excitement. Happy expectation shows in the chat and winks and nods on the wings.
However, when the next bang-up comes around and they return to the cells that have been their home for years, faces fall.
The right wing redtops they read and like continue to show that the affection is certainly not returned, and there's no hint in those biased columns about true justice - nor any desire for it.
I've been inside for eight years, and so many have been in for very much longer. Like me, many of these people are not guilty of the crimes that the quirky envy of the world sent them down for, and threw away the keys.
I believed in British justice before it all happened, and now I have a different feeling. Now I will wait to see the official letter addressed to Yours Truly before I believe anything.
As for the others, well, experience tells me that if the government does comply with the EU ruling, only a few will be allowed out. They'll find a way to hold to the status quo for a good time to come. They always do.
I don't say it to Frank, but I fear he and so many of his kind will be left very disappointed and bitter.
However, your patient correspondent does have what looks like good news. The solicitor has - at last - got through to the parole board. He's told them straight. List me for an oral hearing, or we'll go straight for a judicial review.
Who knows what twists and turns will be thrown as obstacles into my path. But it does feel like a sort of progress - something you learn never to expect in English prisons. Why, it's not impossible now that I could be on my way to open prison next year - a year ahead of what seems at present to be the likelihood.
Strange isn't it. Here's me recording that my very best hope is that I might go to a less restrictive prison next year. Remember, this is a fellow who came home from work one night to find his wife murdered.
The boys in blue couldn't pin it on the killer for reasons you'll find in my website. So they prosecuted me instead. They didn't prove my guilt because they couldn't for the simple reason they know I didn't do it.
But they have their professionals. They sold the idea to the jury. And the best I can hope for from British justice - envy of the world - is that I might go to an easier prison.
- Roger Gordon
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