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Prison: The Inside Story: Transforming Lives as an Officer and Educator
Author Jack Myette reveals a world that only a small segment of the population will ever see. The Inside Story brings to light the perspectives of prison officers, teachers, and, most importantly, inmates.The irate, 275-pound prisoner grabbed an officer’s plexiglass shield and swung it so hard that it knocked Jack Myette’s helmet clean off his head.
Welcome to work as a corrections medical aide in a psychiatric prison, where Myette helps cut down hanging inmates, gets blindsided and slammed to the ground, and has to dodge a swinging pool stick and airborne chair aimed directly at him.
These early days prove excellent training for the rest of Myette’s career — moving on to balance discipline with humanity while managing 180 inmates in a general population prison, and ultimately teaching inmates to read, write, and earn their GEDs.
In The Inside Story, Myette offers an unflinching look at his twenty-five year career with the Michigan Department of Corrections. At times startling and disturbing, at times darkly humorous, Myette’s narrative ultimately challenges preconceived notions about prisoners as he finds his passion for education and its transformative powers.
Welcome to work as a corrections medical aide in a psychiatric prison, where Myette helps cut down hanging inmates, gets blindsided and slammed to the ground, and has to dodge a swinging pool stick and airborne chair aimed directly at him.
These early days prove excellent training for the rest of Myette’s career — moving on to balance discipline with humanity while managing 180 inmates in a general population prison, and ultimately teaching inmates to read, write, and earn their GEDs.
In The Inside Story, Myette offers an unflinching look at his twenty-five year career with the Michigan Department of Corrections. At times startling and disturbing, at times darkly humorous, Myette’s narrative ultimately challenges preconceived notions about prisoners as he finds his passion for education and its transformative powers.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 6, 2026
Author Jack Myette gives you a look into was goes on inside a prison.
Not many people could do the job of a corrections officer. The job is tough, at times scary, and certainly unappreciated not to mention it doesn't pay that well.
The inside can be a brutal but Jack Myette felt he could get respect if he gave it and most of the time it worked. His recommendations in the last chapter would serve both officers and inmates.
Education seems to be the key to avoiding the recidivism of the prison population.
Things won't change until people understand the changes that need to be made in our penal system.
Not many people could do the job of a corrections officer. The job is tough, at times scary, and certainly unappreciated not to mention it doesn't pay that well.
The inside can be a brutal but Jack Myette felt he could get respect if he gave it and most of the time it worked. His recommendations in the last chapter would serve both officers and inmates.
Education seems to be the key to avoiding the recidivism of the prison population.
Things won't change until people understand the changes that need to be made in our penal system.
August 10, 2026
This is a very enlightening book. I learned so many things about the backgrounds of many of these offenders, and just how they get by in prison.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews