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I never thought I'd get married and have children. I was a real feminist. But then I married my first boyfriend from university and had Georgia, whilst working for a bank. I was mad to start a family so young but I didn't think about it. If you have children early you just carry on. The subject of childcare is constantly debated in my family as three of my daughters now have children. They read all the books and get the special buggies and don't have a live in nanny like I did. There's still so much discrimination against working mothers that young women are almost more willing to stay at home than work, it's simpler.

I was only able to continue my career, which often involved working at weekends, by having someone living in. I'm not talking about anyone expensive, just a foreign student who was grateful to have a roof over their head. There were some disasters, of course – one girl moved her boyfriend in, and another was a call girl – but they were always there to collect the children from school and entertain them at weekends. Often the children became much more attached to them than me as I was stricter. On Saturdays my older daughters were allowed one hour of black and white television. When someone brought a colour television into the house I went bonkers. I feared they'd spend their whole life watching television, which of course they did.

When Peter was 11 I decided I could cope without a nanny. My older children would drive him to school and go to his parents meetings on my behalf. But I was always so late home to feed him that he decided to go to boarding school.

My family and friends were very surprised that I was sent to prison for two months but I was mentally prepared for it. Luckily I was in an open prison for most of my stay and at weekends I could be out of my room until midnight. Many of us would be working during the day, either in the house or out in the farm or garden. I'd be on dining room duty, making sure it was hygienic and tidy and there was enough cereal for everyone. We got paid some huge amount of money: £1.25 for a three hour shift; £2.50 a day.

Two important things happened on Saturday afternoons. First visitors would arrive, which was the highlight of the week. The girls did themselves up for the occasion. My children ran a queuing system because all my friends and colleagues wanted to come along. There would be huge depression when everyone left but at 6pm it was bingo, another source of huge excitement. Even those who were out for the day would rush back for it.

On Sunday, whether it rained or snowed, I'd go for a walk with the gym instructor around the estate to see the cows and sheep and the lake. It was a magical feeling to be out and I'd persuade others to come with me rather than staying in their rooms feeling blue.

I made loads of friends in prison. Of course there was a bit of bitching and bullying so I had to watch it at first but on the whole most people were looking outwards, trying to get jobs or money for business projects.

There were tears when I left but it didn't take me a moment to switch back into my old life. I did have to wear a tag for a while though, and be home by 7pm every day. I perfected a way of getting to parties in Westminster slightly early and then jumping on the Tube to get back by curfew. If I arrived home 15 minutes early, I'd be furious with myself.

I sound upbeat about the whole experience but in fact it was truly miserable. The only way I survived was by stepping back from it. I knew I was lucky; I was going home to people who love me whereas others had no one to greet them, nowhere to live and no job. I strongly object to the amount of discrimination there is towards women leaving prison.

On a Sunday evening I like to have a leisurely meal at home with family and friends, cooked by somebody else. I tend to start early on Mondays so I always mean to go to bed early but usually I'll be up late with a cup of coffee, finishing off a piece of work, wondering why I've left it until the last possible moment.

IN SHORT

Champagne or Cava?

Neither. I hate bubbles

Your proudest moment?

My daughters' weddings.

Favourite tv show?

Match of the Day

Perfect weekend away?

Our beach house near Athens

Which song gets you dancing?

Ride on Time by Blackbox

Best Christmas present ever?

My first born Georgia, who arrived on December 18

What irritates you?

Warm white wine

Who do you most admire?

Didier Drogba

Death row meal?

Saturday brunch in prison wasn't too bad. A full fry-up followed by a bowl of porridge, washed down with water.

FIVE FAVOURITE THINGS

Good coffee

Swimming in the Greek sea

Watching my children perform

Shopping with my daughter

Watching Chelsea win the Champions league in Munich last year

Vicky Pryce will be speaking at the Hay Winter Festival, which runs from November 30 to December 2

'Prisonomics' by Vicky Pryce (Biteback, £16.99) is available from the Telegraph Bookshop for £14.99 + £1.35 p&p. To order call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books