The Warehouse: A Visual Primer on Mass Incarceration

by James Kilgore, Vic Liu

Mass incarceration is a lived, sensory experience. The
most eye-popping statistics alone cannot relate the enormity of its
psychological and societal impacts. This concise, illustrated primer is a
collaboration between one of mass incarceration’s sharpest opponents,
James Kilgore, and information artist Vic Liu. It brings to life the
histories and means of daily survival of the marginalized people
ensnared in this racist, ableist system of class-based oppression. The
book elegantly weaves together the most insightful activist scholarship
with vivid testimonials by incarcerated people as they fight back
against oppression and imagine freedom. Those targeted for incarceration do not simply submit to a monochromatic existence behind bars. The Warehouse showcases
the abolition futures being crafted from the inside as people resist
through direct action and artistic expression. This book is designed to
inform, enrage, and ultimately inspire the same radical hope propelling
incarcerated underminers of the carceral state.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Justice, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Andrew Eder]

Part art, part text book, part instructional guide, I LOVED the way this was laid out and all of the information given. Data heavy with stories intertwined. Really great balance!!

Highly recommend.

[Soph]

read for work! a really great, short, engaging primer on mass incarceration, reentry, and prison reform/abolition movements and philosophies.

[Kara Oldham]

This book should 100% be required reading here in the US.

[Hugo Salas]

I really liked it, but it would have been many times more useful if I had read it 3 years ago.

This is a great introduction to the criminal justice system in the US. It covers a lot of relevant topics from sentencing, living conditions and reform movements. I wish everyone working in the space could start by reading this.

[Joe Myers]

An accessible and heartbreaking dive into mass incarceration in the US. Books like this are incredibly important. I recommend it for any person and any of their non-abolitionist friends. This book should build empathy for those who are, have been, or are connected to someone incarcerated.

[Tatiana]

Must read! A quick easy read jam packed with info AND some solutions. I learned a lot and I would definitely recommend to everyone.

[David]

This is one of the best, and most visually appealing books I’ve read from PM press. Definitely deserves wide distribution! Very informative!

[Peace]

The graphs and images are informative and at times shocking at the conditions present inside. The book gives a great overview on the systemic history and policy changes that got us to this point. The authors also give a great overview on some recent strategies and tactics by community members looking to help change the system from one of profit and greed to one that actually treats people with diginity and opportunities to grow. The underlying question of the economics of prisons is not talked about enough and the fact that social services and reform programs cost a fraction of what it costs to prison people in the current way the US does is quite eye opening. Enjoyed the intersectional lens and layers of complexity of being a human and then being an incarcerated human is well described and consdiered. Highly reccommend.

[Leah Hayes]

Eh. Anecdotes about incarceration are ok but when it ventures into social science there are lots of oversimplified and misleading claims. Eg:
- 1 in 3 adults in the US have a criminal record: this is technically true according to the FBI definition but does not match a common sense definition of what a criminal record means
- ascribes the 90s crime wave entirely to the economy being bad
- claims that prison in the 60s and 70s was focused on rehabilitation whereas in the 80s and 90s it became more punitive and harmful. This might be true in some minor ways (eg getting rid of Pell grants for prisoners which seems bad) but is way oversimplified and overall I’d way way rather be in prison now or in the 90s than in the 60s or 70s

[Molly]

I loved how this book was designed. I want more nonfictions to be laid out like this: picture books for adults.

I loved the narrative sections of the book the most, I wish more facts were presented in a first hand account/narrative kind of way. The facts that were presented in this way hit home the most.

The author is not really opinionated until the very last page, which is good, but comes out of nowhere and isn’t quite supported by some earlier facts. I think certain connections are a bit of a reach, but I can see where they sprouted from.

Overall, really informative read. I learned so so so much.

[Jennifer]

I picked this up after Chain Gang All Stars, hoping for more information. It did not disappoint. It is very clearly and engagingly written with many graphics to allow easy absorption of information. There are many quotes from inmates as well as reformers and abolitionists. There are examples of art that has been created inside. I think it should be an automatic accompaniment to CGAS.

[Kat]

good overview of the issue, but very stats heavy in some sections. statistics on their own do not a full story make. accessible read for people new to the topic. doesn’t leave the reader with a lot that they can DO; i cannot join a think tank unfortunately. gonna pull out the camera tho, so that’s something

[Cindy DavisClark]

I read this as an evaluator for United Women of Faith reading program. A very detailed history of mass incarceration, prison experience and possible solutions. Written partially in the style of a graphic novel. Difficult topic.

[gable!!]

a very informative, eye opening book on how our prison system got to where it is today. prison reform now!!!!

[Angel]

Quick impressions: Overall this is an accessible, excellent, and very informative book.

(Detailed full review on my blog soon.)

[Kaelyn]

A great starting point for those looking to learn more about mass incarceration, its impacts, and what we can do to change it.

[amanda]

an absolute fantastic intro to anyone interested in learning some basics on mass incarceration and prison abolition. highly, highly recommend!