THIS BOOK TAKES A LOOK AT PRISON CRIME AND CORRUPTION THROUGH THE EYES OF THE INVESTIGATOR FROM THE START OF THE INVESTIGATION TO THE COURTROOM VERDICT. YOU WILL WALK STEP BY STEP THROUGHOUT THE CRIME AND CORRUPTION AS EACH STORY TELLS YOU EVERYONE'S THOUGHTS AND MOVEMENTS AS THEY PLAN AND COMMIT THEIR CRIMES FROM THE HEAD COMMANDER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DOWN TO THE INMATES, YOU WILL LEARN OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH PRISON CRIME AND CORRUPTION. YOU WILL SEE HOW A ONCE RESPECTED AGENCY WAS DESTROYED AND BECAME KNOWN AS THE "DEPARTMENT OF CORRUPTION"
In this book you follow an actual investigation through the eyes of an actual prison investigator, need I say more? Gary York takes you with him back in time on the crime scene of his cases, and through his eyes you see how the events leading up to the crime unfolded. He gives you a clear look into what can happen if a corrupt officer (or officers) gets into power. He will have you gasping and surprised and always wanting to hear more.
Sometimes it feels like you are reading a story, but then you remember you are following a real investigator describing real people and actual things that happened, which makes the book all the better. You always want to know what else he will reveal, how far the corrupt officers can go, and what will be the cause of their downfall.
The author doesn’t shy away from giving you details and the actual names of the people that were connected to the crime, in one way or another. You might even have heard about some of his cases on the news. He also describes the scenery vividly, for example around the prison and in the interrogation room so you feel transported to the place and like you can see how the events unfolded. He also gives you his own thoughts on the case and on the perpetrators.
I think this book would also suit True crime fans, although it is a little bit different from the true crime genre. Here the officers are the ones that are breaking the law, and you see the scene unfold from the inspector’s eyes, which I would say is quite rare. It also follows plenty of cases. This book would probably be one of the first books that I would think of recommending to a true crime fan. Especially if they want an inside look at the criminal activity in our prison systems, and how brutally some criminals can be treated once their behind bars.
It’s also a very enlightening book. This was a very enjoyable and informative read for me, I was pretty oblivious to the corruptions that can take place in prison systems and I always found myself wanting to read more about it. It doesn’t only follow the investigation, but also educates you on why and how prison systems get corrupted. I’m actually quite surprised that Corruption Behind Bars hasn’t enjoyed more popularity; don’t let it slip out of your hands! 😊
It is a good book to start with if you are interested in the correctional facilities in the USA and the corruption within them. I was curious to read this book in order to see if the movies and the TV shows that focus on this topic were somehow over-dramatized. Turns out, they are not that much over-dramatized. "Corruption behind bars" is well-written, evidence-supported and detail-oriented book that will definitely make you wonder a lot if the whole idea of correctional facilities is even working in the first place. This book, or at least parts of it, can easily serve as a warning and educational material to all of those who want to specialize in preventing crime. I am rating it with three stars though, because the book somehow did not touch me. I was reading all of these horrible and shocking stories about the rust in the system, but they did not make me emotional in any way. I am guessing this might be because I am not American and I have never been to the States, but also because it is non-fiction book with clear and concise writing, aiming to provide facts that will make you question, rather than feel.
This is an interesting book for anyone who thinks about these issues.
Clearly, in a society that thinks of the criminal justice system as a method of punishment and not rehabilitation, the system will reflect those values. What is interesting is understanding the tensions that result and this book offers a series of anecdotes that illustrate the ease of corruption entering into prison life. This is certainly food for thought.
The book suffers a bit from lack of a competent proofreader, not to mention an editor. The author has the basic instinct to set up a story correctly, so you are curious how the individual cases will work out, but there are numerous errors of spelling and punctuation, and sometimes awkward mannerisms that all would have been taken out by a good editor and proofreader. However, if you are just interested in the stories and the insights you might glean from them, these minor issues would not get in your way.
The book is a series of anecdotes that are very illustrative of the incredible tensions and the opportunities and risks of corruption and abuse in the prison system. You come away from it with a profound understanding why criminal justice reform is urgent, for our prison system is nothing but a crime university. This book will make you understand that on a whole new level.
The author is a professional investigator, and it is evident he knows whereof he speaks. The book should be part of the dialog, hopefully some day in a revised edition.
Gary York has conducted numerous investigations in the prison system. His book contains 44 short stories in which he shares his experience with us. Please note that the content is now and then violent and may not be suitable for younger readers.
The tone is non-judgemental. The aim of the author is obviously to inform and educate. Both sides are presented, you analyse the situation from two different points of view: the inmate and the officer. The facts are the same, but the interpretations are distinct.
After reading the book you gain a better understanding of what corruption is in this particular environment. Personally, I feel now grateful for all the honest and loyal correctional officers thanks to whom our society is a safer place to live. But on the other hand, I’m still concerned for the well-being of vulnerable inmates; suicides rates in prison are constantly rising.
I’ve always said that the difference between a guard an a prisoner is that the guard hasn’t been caught yet. (All apologies to my friends who have worked for the state.) Gary York’s book proves my point. He has written it as a series of procedurals that are sometimes quite funny. This format keeps it from being too salacious. There is also a glossary with such terms as “fughedaboutit”, “sticky green”, and the difference between an inmate and a convict.
This was a great read. Very informative and eye opening. This book gives you an insight on how corrupt the justice/prison system can be. If you think that it's like what you see on tv shows, this will change your perspective on it. I highly recommend this book. Especially if you're interested in corrections or law in general.
A very good book and easy read! This will change your ideas of what goes on inside of a prison. If you think jail is anything like you see on TV or some Netflix show boy are you in for a shock.
This is my experience from reading this book: You feel you are in the author/investigator skin and walking in his shoes when you read his astounding book "Corruption Behind Bars." The book reads that well and that intimately to you. From the dynamic book cover to the very last page and story, Gary York takes you into the dark underbelly of unreformed prison existence and organized prison crime all the way from the top of the system of wardens and guards down to the least threatening and pitiful white collar victim-inmate. The corruption and injustice is rife, yet authentic and real. It's indisputable. This book is gritty and suspenseful and heartbreaking in places. And horrendously honest. But you can't turn way. You can only keep turning the pages. For you must see! You must read! You must know!
I honestly loved this book. It was a change for me to read a nonfiction since I almost always read fiction, but I loved the reality of it. It really let's you connect the dots and gives you an inside look into the corruption of the justice system.