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Inside Knowledge: Incarcerated People on the Failures of the American Prison
A powerful critique of mass incarceration by the people who have experienced it
Inside Knowledge is the first book to examine the American prison system through the eyes of those who are trapped within it. Drawing from the writings collected in the American Prison Writing Archive, Doran Larson deftly illustrates how mass incarceration does less to contain any harm perpetrated by convicted people than to spread and perpetuate harm among their families and communities.
Inside Knowledge makes a powerful argument that America’s prisons not only degrade and debilitate their wards but also defeat the prison’s cardinal missions of rehabilitation, containment, deterrence, and even meaningful retribution.
If prisons are places where convicted people are sent to learn a lesson, then imprisoned people are the ones who know just what American prisons actually teach. At once profound and devastating, Inside Knowledge is an invaluable resource for those interested in addressing mass incarceration in America.
Inside Knowledge is the first book to examine the American prison system through the eyes of those who are trapped within it. Drawing from the writings collected in the American Prison Writing Archive, Doran Larson deftly illustrates how mass incarceration does less to contain any harm perpetrated by convicted people than to spread and perpetuate harm among their families and communities.
Inside Knowledge makes a powerful argument that America’s prisons not only degrade and debilitate their wards but also defeat the prison’s cardinal missions of rehabilitation, containment, deterrence, and even meaningful retribution.
If prisons are places where convicted people are sent to learn a lesson, then imprisoned people are the ones who know just what American prisons actually teach. At once profound and devastating, Inside Knowledge is an invaluable resource for those interested in addressing mass incarceration in America.
- GenresNonfiction
313 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2024
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January 11, 2024
This was pretty hard to read. This book starts with a history of incarceration and punishment and goes to current times, discussing the philosophy behind punishment and the effect punishment has on prisoners, their families, and the rest of society.
It is a difficult problem because punishment is necessary but so many times it is not humane. In particular, I appreciated the programs that helped prisoners enrich their family relationships and grow while incarcerated. People must be able to still be human after being punishment, and the current system has the opposite effect of what is intended so often.
This is a serious read that uses a lot of scholarly resources as background.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
It is a difficult problem because punishment is necessary but so many times it is not humane. In particular, I appreciated the programs that helped prisoners enrich their family relationships and grow while incarcerated. People must be able to still be human after being punishment, and the current system has the opposite effect of what is intended so often.
This is a serious read that uses a lot of scholarly resources as background.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
Displaying 1 of 1 review