Inmate 46857

by Eddie Charles Spencer

INMATE 46857 sat on his prison cot at Parchman Penitentiary in 1982 fingering his homemade knife and contemplating murdering two fellow inmates just to strengthen his tough reputation. As the nineteen-year-old convict visualized himself stabbing his intended victims, God intervened and provided deliverance. The encounter took only a moment, but getting there had taken a lifetime. Instantly, all the years of anger and rejection flashed before Eddie Spencer’s eyes. As memories flooded back, Inmate 46857 felt the pain and poverty of his childhood. He pictured himself the morning his only pair of shoes had fallen apart and his mother sent him to school wearing his sister’s shoes. As Eddie stepped into his first grade classroom, his classmates taunted him, “Look at Eddie Spencer. He’s got little-girl shoes on!” Humiliation and revenge gripped his young mind, launching him on a journey of crime and violence in the streets of the Mississippi Delta.

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2005

Reviews

[Lawanda Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all started because of a pair of shoes...

I found this book in our school library. Something seemed to compel me to pick this book up and read it. I am glad I did. The story behind it was so sad and yet full of hope that I pray it finds its way into the hands of a large number of young men. This book tells the story of Eddie Charles Spencer, a former prisoner of Parchman, one of Mississippi's most notorious prisons. Becasue of his life of poverty and lack, Eddie Charles seems driven down the path of hate and destruction.

And, it all started because he was forced to wear his sister's shoes to school one morning! My heart literally hurt as I read this book. As I imaged the pain of poverty...as I saw how troubled his relationship with his father was...I couldn't help but be angry at the system that seemed to keep him from climbing out of his hole of darkness.

The most troubling part of this book was when Eddie sitting there thinking about killing those 2 prisoners just so he could build his reputation. The second one was when God knocked Eddie out of the boxing ring.

Easy read. True story of how God can transform anyone.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Inmate 46857" is an insightful Christian memoir. Eddie described memories of events in his childhood of abuse, neglect, and poverty that formed him into an angry, violent child who longed for respect and security. He went on to steal--initially, for food, then to supply his drug habit and for the thrill and feel of power. By the time he was sent to prison, he didn't see any hope for his future. He was controlled by his anger, and all he knew how to do was create fear in people. But God reached out and offered him another way--one that would only occur if Eddie truly surrendered to Him.

Eddie's childhood was a sad one and not very fun to read about, but it was very enlightening as to how someone can grow so hard and so angry. He "got religion" as a child because he felt pressured to, but no one explained what that meant. He later "accepted Christ" to please those who had shown kindness to him, but it was only when he'd lost control of himself that he finally, truly surrendered to God. Then he faced the scary prospect of the other inmates now viewing him as weak and attacking him. He wondered how God could protect him as well as how he was going to keep from losing control to his temper again. But God knew the answers.

The last 33 pages described Eddie's post-conversion struggles, which were very interesting. I'm involved in prison ministry and work with a young, angry man that's much like Eddie in many ways. I'm planning on giving him a copy of this book to encourage him that it's safe to surrender to Christ. Right now, he believes in Christ, but can't let go of maintaining "his reputation." (I work with other inmates who know him and, ironically, his reputation isn't one of fear-inspiring awe like he thinks it is. But now I better understand why his reputation--what he thinks it is--is so important to him.)

This book was written in a conversational tone, was well-written, and kept my interest from start to finish. I'd highly recommend this insightful memoir to those who work in jail and prison ministry, those who work with troubled kids and teens, and those who have anger and trust issues.

[Merry Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Mr. Spencer when he came and stayed at the hotel I was managing. I spoke with him for a while and discovered I had had some college classes with his son Reggie. He told me a little about his life and how he had written a book. Later that day, he brought me a copy of his book and signed it. I just not got around to reading it and I am amazed at the background this man had as a child and how much he has changed his life. Meeting Mr. Spencer, you would have never known he was a hardened criminal at one time. He has a heart of gold and is one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet.