Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America

by Eugene Puryear

Shackled and Chained, Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America is a thorough examination of mass incarceration, its causes and consequences. Eugene Puryear examines the evolution of mass incarceration as a product of U.S. monopoly capitalism as well as bipartisan political allegiance to the system’s needs. In addition to detailing its historical origins, Puryear provides a detailed examination of the oppressive reality that reigns inside America’s prison system. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the “how” and “why” of mass incarceration as well as for those seeking a factual account of what it is truly like “inside.”

From Shackled and Chained, Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America

“There can be no universal theory for ‘crime,’ because it is defined by the shifting boundaries of the law and law enforcement, and the objectives of a given ruling class. ... As an example, some of the most gratuitous forms of theft—daily exploitation at the job, usurious interest rates, bank bailouts—are considered completely legal, and the perpetrators are in fact rewarded. One can receive a stiff sentence for robbing a bank; but when a bank systematically robs society as a whole, no one goes to jail.”

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Sociology, American History, Education, Theory

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A critical intervention in radical discussions around mass incarceration in the US. While this was written prior to the past decade of new uprisings against racism and police terror, that only underlines its prescient critique of liberal views of the issue. Points out important blind spots in otherwise good texts like The New Jim Crow, which became more ascendent during the 2020 uprisings. Certainly there is much to add in the past ten years, but Shackled and Chained remains a vital foundation for our work to build a movement against mass incarceration that will not fall back into liberal co-optation.

[Beth Belangee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read. HOWEVER, it is important to note that this book was written in 2013. It gave good history as well as an interactive read because I researched current statistics as I read.

It touches on the aspects that were missed in “The New Jim Crow” which was very interesting! This book took a heavy approach to the economic/capitalistic aspects of mass incarceration.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book should be recommended reading for everyone. it's extremely informative, covers a wide scope, and is extremely well written

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had originally read this book a few years ago. I read it again as a rebuffer. It SHOULD be “required reading” for all high-schoolers and college students. Eugene Puryear tackled a taboo and complicated subject to really elucidate us on the current status of our corporatized legal system. It is an ABSOLUTE must read.

[Joseph M. Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Puryear speak in an interview and knew I had to read this book. This was a very powerful read, and it is very useful to research I am doing for my master's dissertation. The violations against those trapped in the mass incarceration system should not go unknown.

[Dashaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend, it’s the only commentary on mass incarceration I’ve read that takes a serious look at capitalism’s role and how it benefits from mass incarceration, as well as tackling the cultural racist depiction of black people as more criminal

[Jeffrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

China good | America bad.

[Assata Bellegarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good analysis of the problems and origins of Mass Incarceration in the US.