A decision has yet to be made about whether his memoirs have broken prison rules, putting at risk his chances of getting an early release under parole.

The diary, serialised in the Daily Mail, is simply published under his prisoner number FF8282 and covers his first three weeks at Belmarsh Prison from the moment a judge handed down a four-year sentence for perjury.

During Archer's first walkabout in the prison yard another inmate - a convicted murderer he calls 'Gordon' - points out the notorious criminals he will sharing a prison with.

"As we continue our circumnavigation of the yard, he points out the train robber Ronnie Biggs.

Belmarsh Prison was home to Archer for the first three weeks of his sentence

"I glance across to see a sick old man with a tube coming out of his nose, a man who doesn't look as if he has long to live," he writes.

Gordon also pointed out Barry George, the killer of TV presenter Jill Dando.

"I don't tell him that Jill was an old friend - we both hail from Weston-super-Mare," said Archer.

"For the first time in my life, I keep my counsel."

Autographs

Archer also recalls how regular checks were made on his cell as he was placed on suicide watch.

Although the tone of his first taste of prison is dark he manages to joke about how his autograph became currency for inmates, speculating that five signatures might be worth a packet of cigarettes.

He also describes how the prisoners whiled away the hours by staging ant races in their cells - with only the winning ant being allowed to survive.

He feels that what he has to say about drugs, about paedophiles, and about lifers in particular is important and should be debated as soon as possible

Lady Archer

It was during his first night behind bars - much of which was spent lying awake contemplating his situation - that he decided he would write a daily diary.

But there has been widespread criticism of Archer being allowed to publish his thoughts, amid fears he will profit from his crime.

Charity donation

There are strict prison guidelines aimed at preventing prisoners from making a financial gain from their time spent in jail.

Archer insists he is not being paid for the book, while the Daily Mail is making a donation to drug rehabilitation and victim support charities via his publishers Macmillan.

Narey will look to see if rules have been broken

Prison Service Director General Martin Narey said he is taking legal advice over Archer's conduct but had not yet read the full manuscript.

If found guilty of breaching the rules, Archer could face having extra days added to his release date, which is due next year.

Lady Archer has defended her husband's diaries, saying they are an important social commentary on the state of prisons.

"He feels that what he has to say about drugs, about paedophiles, and about lifers in particular is important and should be debated as soon as possible," she said.

Archer is already facing questions about breaking conditions during a family visit.

He was found to have attended a party at the home of Tory former colleague Gillian Shepherd when the conditions of his weekend release were that he stayed in the confines of his home.