It's a Wrap

by Dwight Edgar Abbott

This book is a collection of experiences remembered; both in and out of Prison. By Project Censored Award Winning Author: Dwight Abbott. About the cover; he writes: "This morning, I sat to draw for you, a place I often went to - near you; yet, just outside of Redding - when I was being hunted; a place I knew well enough I felt safe there; where I could be alone; a place I was convinced I would be allowed to lick my wounds, to die if necessary: Silverthorn Resort; Jones Valley. Imagine me there, Skippy, straddling the fallen log, looking out over my domain, rifle ready propped nearby. Where I cooked food from my often meager supplies on the tip of land forming the inlet to your right. At night I would roll out my sleeping bag to sleep near the dying embers. Free for a moment. Dwight Abbott, 12/24/2009" "It's a Wrap" contains: Story one: Titled: "Christmas Memories"; (6 pages) written by Dwight Abbott, is about a Christmas never to be forgotten. Story two: Titled "Parole, a Parody" (6 pages) written by Dwight upon exiting the gates of San Quentin Prison. Story three: Titled "Billy" - A Never Dying Story - (28 pages) was written by Myself, Skippy, and Sonny; as told to us by our dad; Dwight Abbott senior. It is a true story about an animal attack in a southern California desert. Story four: Titled Dwight and Dwight Go AWOL" (22 pages) Is about Sonny' dad's' famous escape from Folsom Prison using Bed Dummies. It also includes news clippings of both my dad and brothers escapes from Prisons. Story five: Titled: "Bear Mountain" - Brother Bear. (21 pages)This story was written by Dwight, about a year spent homeless in the mountains of Shasta County above Jones Valley, Silverthorn Resort & Marina on Shasta Lake. This story inspired the cover of "It's a Wrap!" He found himself snowed in and 'one' with many forest creatures; all facing death. Story six: Titled "Convict and the Gopher: a Tail of Trust" by Dwight Abbott. It is a short introduction and story (45 pages); including illustrations of Sonny's adopted Gopher, Popcorn. Popcorn was Sonny's adopted "cellie" for Popcorn's entire life of 4.5 years. One must wonder what type of relationship might develop between the "most dangerous" of criminals and a Gopher; both, at first, reluctant to trust each other. This question will be answered in "Convict and the Gopher; a Tail of Trust." This story will enlighten all readers as to the forever 'lost humanity' of imprisoned convicts, who yet retain a hidden 'tenderness' that must forever remain hidden and unexplained; not only to the general prison population; but to an outside society that can not and/or will not give them 'another chance.' Story Seven: Titled "My Affair with the Warden" ( 50 pages) was written by Sonny (Dwight Abbott) while in 'Deep SEG' at OSP (Oregon State Prison). This Story is somewhat graphic and may be deemed 'parental reading only' for youngsters; although the Story line is totally appropriate for anyone who loves animals. Sonny includes Two stories from his brother: "The Rock" & "The Jacket." Sonny further writes: Fact is, if you feed a starving animal, it is unlikely he will bite you. That, dear Family, is the principle difference between them and man. Once I was told I am an "animal"; yet, always I've known I am much worse - I am human." R.I.P. Popcorn Dwight Edgar Abbott California Health Care Facility, Stockton, Ca. The above quote was written below the drawing of Popcorn that introduces this short story. The story and drawing was produced from actual experience of my brother, Dwight Abbott (aka, Sonny). Dwight is serving four life terms in The California Health Facility at Stockton. He was transferred from Salinas Valley State Prison; level IV, as his recent paralysis left him paralyzed; in a wheel chair; and foolishly considered: "No longer an Escape Risk"? He is already an accomplished author. His credits include the books: "I Cried You Didn't Listen" and "CONSEQUENCE"

190 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2016

About the author

Dwight "Sonny" Abbott was born within a secure Middle-Class family and was misplaced in the thick of California's abusive penal system.

At the age of nine, a family tragedy split up Dwight Abbott’s family, and forced him into the hands of the California Youth Authority. This is the chilling chronicle of his life behind bars—a story of brutality and survival; a dark journey showing how the systematic abuse of incarcerated children creates a cycle of criminal behavior that usually ends with prison or death.

In its first sterialization, I Cried, You Didn’t Listen won a Project Censored award for stories that are significant, yet under-reported in the mainstream media. This second edition contains an introduction by Books Not Bars, new pieces by the author, and writing from more recent victims of the CYA.

Dwight Abbott, has been in and out of prison since his childhood. He is now serving multiple life sentences in Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, CA.

“This is a searingly honest book — read it if you have the courage. Dwight Edgar Abbott’s story will reveal more about the self-fueling horrors of incarceration than would ten of the average criminology texts. For years this book has circulated as an almost cult underground document, a simple key to explaining the complex wretched mess that is the American criminal justice system.” —CHRISTIAN PARENTI, author of Lockdown America, The Soft Cage and The Freedom

“Sadly, Dwight’s experience echoes the stories of the thousands of young people still warehoused and dehumanized in California, but also serves powerful testament to the need for a 180 degree shift in how we deal with young people in trouble.” —VAN JONES, Executive Director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Reviews

[Adina · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I did not know where this journey was going. It went to when Dwight was outdoors in the wilderness to when he was shackled, bound, hogtied in the most maximum imprisoned state. It was mind blowing where his state of mind would go. How Dwight kept himself sane in a most insane circumstance. How he spoke to animals as a survival strategy is beyond imagination. To be prepared to be challenged at such mental capacity and get out in the way Dwight has is a miracle. A masterpiece worth research to scholars of Social Psychology, esp. as an expansion to the Stanford Prison Experiment.