Inside Juvie: A Teacher's Story

by Paul A. MacNamara

A gripping look at teaching in the volatile world of juvenile detention.

Inside Juvie plunges readers into the eye-opening journey of Tommy, a former state schoolteacher now navigating the tumultuous world of juvenile detention. Transitioning from teaching adults in prisons to stepping into classrooms within youth incarceration facilities is a far cry from the predictability and safety of traditional education.

Amidst the chaos, violence, and fleeting moments of connection, Tommy rides a gritty roller-coaster, encountering unexpected breakthroughs amidst the turmoil. The stories are both heartbreaking and a 12-year-old who has never known the security of three meals a day, a young detainee who waits in vain for a mother’s visit that never comes, and the frightening escalations of violence that trigger duress alarms, security guards and devastating consequences.

With a candid blend of darkness, hope, and humour, Inside Juvie explores the intricacies of the youth justice system. It sheds light on the harsh realities, diverse backgrounds, and daunting challenges faced by incarcerated youth, as well as the teachers who strive to reach them. This book promises readers a compelling journey through the often overlooked and misunderstood realm of juvenile detention.

Inside Juvie is a rare, first-hand perspective on the contentious world of youth detention.

PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR – THE CRIMINAL CLASS

You Need To Read This Book! As a fan of TV crime shows, and with a career in crime reporting, I thought nothing could shock or surprise me about the prison system. Then I read The Criminal Class! I found myself gasping, shaking my head, feeling infuriated, and laughing out loud in disbelief. Paul is a brilliant storyteller, and I could definitely see this as a gripping TV series. Would make an excellent Book Club choice. Teeps GC

A weirdly enjoyable experience. A well-crafted, insightful, thought provoking, authentic and, dare I say, a weirdly enjoyable experience. Highlights the narrow approach to the criminal justice system and the absurdities of the public service. An honest and valuable comment in a bigger conversation of how society deals with offenders, but also the offending behaviour of those on the right side of the law. David B

More than a novel. Brilliant. I really enjoyed the book as a novel, but when I finished reading (listening) I was left with so many questions and a little despair about the effectiveness of incarceration as punishment. I laughed, cried, let out audible gasps. Everything you expect from a great read. Anne M

A riveting read! This well-constructed memoir delves into a serious subject with compassion and a wry sense of humour. It is both enlightening and very entertaining. Sue C

A page turner!
It's no surprise that an experienced teacher of English and writing writes so well. Apart from a well-crafted and very easy to read book, in fact I found it to be a page turner, the author takes the reader into the different and colliding worlds of the byzantine NSW criminal justice system. The author narrates and avoids judgement yet displays compassion without pollyannaism whilst he continues to do what he can to help the lives of his students. Peter R

A great mix of entertainment and unique insight. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone - you don't need to be a true crime fan. – Tamara

Loved it from start to finish! You'll want to read it cover to cover and then start all over again. - Emma B

Do yourself a favour.... read this book! Funny, depressing and simultaneously compelling! - Dinga

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2024

Reviews

[Shaun Messer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well constructed book. It weaves together a range of surprising stories, the collation of which reveals the recurring themes impacting so many of these young people. And without books like this, it is near impossible to understand the trials the teaching professionals in these environments are asked to withstand.
Opens a door, for the rest of us to peer through, on the problems & challenges only an insider could know.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the protagonist Paul once again takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride, this time to view a limited section of the world of incarcerated adolescents in Australian. Time after time we get to meet the young 'bandits' who are the perpetrators of a range of crimes - yet deeper delving reflects that in numerous instances early on in their existence they had been victims of horrendous circumstances themselves. The book does not end with the last paragraph - readers will forever be dwelling on the conundrum of nature versus nurture: if their family or social situation had been different, would these hardcore junior gangsters possibly have evolved into upstanding members of our society? There is no alternative universe, and as readers are exposed to each unique situation, they encounter the quandary of disgust for the criminal actions, and empathy for the child, what they endured, and the tragic consequences.
This book should be mandatory reading for all politicians and policy makers - putting in place early intervention and supports can save many dollars, change lives, and improve society as a whole. Thank you Paul.

[Julie Berzins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of Tommy’s move from teaching in an adult prison to working in juvenile detention where at first he feels he can help shape the minds of some of the most troubled disadvantaged youth. Weaving stories of the kids at Juvie school, their crimes, their histories, and the views, experiences and challenges of those teaching them. The educators want to teach & help those incarcerated. The students, some want to learn having never had this experience before but rebel because they’re embarrassed about their lack of knowledge. Some just want to watch the world burn. At times, Tommy feels a glimmer of hope with some boys, at times reality of a wasted life is all too real.

Thought provoking on a light level – could more students be helped if more resources were available? Does the entire system need an overhaul? Are these kids a product of their environment or were they always destined for a life of crime?

Tommy experiences successes, failures, deaths, tiny ignitions of hope & confronting violence.

This makes me want to find the author’s first book Criminal Class as I think it too would be an interesting read.

[Verity]

This felt like he took so many liberties and made up so many stories. I believed next to nothing that he was writing, partly because he wrote it like it was fiction, and partly because I don’t know that you could talk about crimes of young people in that much detail. It was interesting enough, but I definitely had to take it with a grain of salt because I think most, if not all of it, was not true.

[Grimley'S Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly worthwhile read. Laugh out loud funny at times but overall a much sadder book than The Criminal Class. The wins for the teaching staff are few and the odds for success are long for the juveniles in the system. Makes you feel grateful that someone is prepared to take on this difficult work.

[A Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside Juvie will take you on a roller coaster ride of thoughts and emotions including fascination, despair, contempt and frustration. This eye-opening look into the juvenile justice system gives a valuable insight into the lives of our children who end up ‘in the system’. Highly recommended.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways I found this book depressingly repetitive, however I imagine that is the reality in the ‘juvie’ Juvenile Detention system. I was pleased to hear the author finally sought work outside the detention format. I too will take a break from this type of book.

[Jo White · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Inside Juvie" is astounding.
Paul writes really well, reflecting respect, insight, and compassion.

IJ paints a picture of the complexity of the sad and sorry issues that are involved in 'juvenile crime' - poverty, substance abuse, family dysfunction, despair, tribalism, and so on...

I think IJ should be mandatory reading. Both my nonagenarian parents read it and gave favourable reports ("enjoyed" isn't quite the right word!!)

Paul, I take my hat off to you (& your co-workers)

[Mary Mulligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read.As someone who has had experience in working with disadvantaged communities this book explores sensitively and with humour the lives these children are forced by circumstances beyond their control, to lead.It gives the wider public a realistic insight into child detention.