Among Murderers: Life after Prison

by Sabine Heinlein

What is it like for a convicted murderer who has spent decades behind bars to suddenly find himself released into a world he barely recognizes? What is it like to start over from nothing? To answer these questions Sabine Heinlein followed the everyday lives and emotional struggles of Angel Ramos and his friends Bruce and Adam―three men convicted of some of society’s most heinous crimes―as they return to the free world.

Heinlein spent more than two years at the Castle, a prominent halfway house in West Harlem, shadowing her protagonists as they painstakingly learn how to master their freedom. Having lived most of their lives behind bars, the men struggle to cross the street, choose a dish at a restaurant, and withdraw money from an ATM. Her empathetic first-person narrative gives a visceral sense of the men’s inner lives and of the institutions they encounter on their odyssey to redemption. Heinlein follows the men as they navigate the subway, visit the barber shop, venture on stage, celebrate Halloween, and loop through the maze of New York’s reentry programs. She asks what constitutes successful rehabilitation and how one faces the guilt and shame of having taken someone’s life.

With more than 700,000 people being released from prisons each year to a society largely unprepared―and unwilling―to receive them, this book provides an incomparable perspective on a pressing public policy issue. It offers a poignant view into a rarely seen social setting and into the hearts and minds of three unforgettable individuals who struggle with some of life’s harshest challenges.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I am the author of the narrative nonfiction book Among Murderers: Life After Prison. I spent more than two years at the Castle, a prominent halfway house in West Harlem, shadowing my book’s three protagonists as they painstakingly learned how to master their freedom. Having lived most of their lives behind bars, the men struggled to cross the street, choose a dish at a restaurant, and withdraw money from an ATM. My empathetic first-person narrative gives a visceral sense of the men’s inner lives and of the institutions they encounter on their odyssey to redemption. I ask what constitutes successful rehabilitation and how one faces the guilt and shame of having taken someone’s life.

My work has appeared in German, American and British publications, among them Die Zeit, Art in America, The Brooklyn Rail, The Iowa Review, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, City Limits, Tablet Magazine, Epiphany and The Idler.

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really grabbed me. I just intended to leaf through the pages but found myself unable to put it down, to coin a cliche, and read it straight through. Sabine Heinlein follows two years in the lives of three people who were convicted of murder, spent decades behind bars and just got released from prison into a world they no longer recognize. You get to see her subjects as human beings, not monsters, although she doesn't mince words about their crimes. She also talks a great deal about the "reentry" system (the programs for recently released prisoners) and its problems and the things it does right. I learned a lot from this book.

[Adriana Lasala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring account of the lives of these 3 men. I love Sabine’s writing style, makes me feel like I’m there with them as a fly on the wall. Makes me wonder…where are these 3 men today? And so many others like them?…

[Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have kept reading if this were twice as long. an interesting exploration of so many things - rehabilitation, remorse, re-entry. I'd like to know where these men are today (this is a great example of the difficulties of finding basics like employment and housing - I wonder if that's still as much of an issue as it was 10+ years ago) and I want to read more of Heinlein's journalism.

[Inteligencja wyjść · Rating 3 out of 5]

not what i expected, but had some interesting notions

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but didn't reveal anything you may not already expect. Good luck to the 3 guys.

[Kim Heimbuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt book addresses the needs of released inmates in their struggle to survive among a populous that so easily discards them into the system. With the lack of empathy and humanity in America, the label of “felon” will loom over these people’s heads for a lifetime, oftentimes pushing them further into the system if released back into society. This book sheds an eye-opening light onto a broken system that desperately needs more public awareness and support.
“When you’ve killed someone, you’ve done the ultimate; you’ve crossed that line. The only person that I was truly afraid of was me…”
Full Review Here- http://www.musingwithcrayolakym.com/b...

[Bradley Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grim (but occasionally hopeful) portrait of the post-release lives and challenges of three very different murders who each spent decades in prison. Especially sobering in light of the huge numbers (700,000 plus annually) of long-serving felons being released with few living skills to an unwelcoming society.

[Ariadna73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad, although it put too much interest on the sexual lives of the rehabilitated inmates. I was expecting a little bit more of the adaptation experience, but I am sure that what this book entails is just right.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narrative that examines those things that most of us are too uncomfortable to think deeply about. Read this one if you know an ex-convict or are just curious about the criminal justice system in America.

[Sonia]

Emma's friend

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a real flair for writing. Readers of true crime should consider this book.