Decades Behind Bars: A 20-Year Conversation with Men in America's Prisons

by Gaye D. Holman

More than two million people are incarcerated in America's prisons--one in nine is serving a life sentence. Mass long-term imprisonment devours state budgets, adversely affects community well-being and skews our collective moral compass. This study examines the human costs of keeping the convicted out of sight, out of mind. Beginning in 1994, the author began recording the personal stories of 50 incarcerated felons--17 of them were still in prison 20 years later. The men candidly discuss what it means to commit a serious crime and to be confined for perhaps the remainder of their lives. Their stories are balanced by conversations with correctional officers, prison administrators, chaplains and parole board members. The author identifies circumstances that ruin some prisoners and save others and presents insights for possible improvements in the criminal justice system.

Genres: Nonfiction

228 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2017

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd after three chapters. It's not a bad book, it's just an insubstantial, not very interesting one, and put me off with the questions at the end of each chapter. I'm not a student and I don't need to have my thinking directed by an author. Perhaps she was using it to direct me to her most important points.

I like prison books, I'm still trying to think what to write about American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment which was very good as was Prison Time by an ex-prisoner, a former stockbroker. But this book, I'm always looking for the next 10 star and this wasn't even going to make 3.... so dnf.

Notes on reading The author was a teacher. I am wondering if this book is also really a text book. At the end of each chapter are questions (to ask oneself)? I don't really like this structure, but more than that there is nothing new and it's all very simplistic. If it is a text book, this is Prison Life 101. I'm not sure I'm going to read much more of it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although with a title like Decades Behind Bars, you would expect to read a depressing book. I was surprised to find it very interesting and engaging, and it gave me such a different perspective on our prisons and the men there for decades. The author (Gaye Holman) tells the reader at the beginning that she taught at the college level in the prison system, but tries to present many different sides to the men who are there. The book is a realistic portrayal of the men in prison. She doesn't minimize the magnitude of some of their crimes, and yet manages to make the reader think about the person, his background, and the prison system. The narrative is very informative about all aspects of the prisoners' lives from entry into prison and daily life there, to family, parole, religion, and more. Although you might think the subject is slanted for solely an academic purpose, the author has a very readable writing style that keeps the ordinary reader fascinated by her insights. It is apparent that the author has a passion for her subject and often uses the direct words of the prisoners themselves from her 20 years of interviews with the men. Ms.Holman places thoughtful discussion-style questions at the end of each chapter that challenge the reader to rethink perceptions about these men in prison who may one day re-enter society.

This would be an excellent book for anyone who wants to widen their thoughts and perspectives on our justice system, and for book discussions in the classroom and community. What are the results of decades behind bars?

[Cindy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book with Lots Information!

I found this book very interesting, a Good Read! I found out lots of info about the prison system not just in Kentucky but all over the United States. The prisoners stories were unique, I found myself having feelings for a lot of them especially the men who committed their crimes when they were young and naive. Then hearing how they were coping twenty years later. It was a good book, I do recommend it.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great find! A uniquely personal and thought provoking look at long term incarceration and the goals of the criminal justice system. Recommended as a quick read or, better yet, a book club discussion selection.

[Elizabeth Sue]

I have not yet read entire text. I happened upon portions of the text by igoigle search concerning one of the inmates interviewed. He was buried at Chicken Hill. There is so much more to his story. I know second hand the monstrous acts this man performed, the family he had, abused and abandoned before, the pain he left behind. Would love to give the author true insight to this man. It would be a book in itself. Tragic and horrifying.
Peeweeladd1970@gmail.com

[Pug · Rating 2 out of 5]

It sounded more interesting than it actually was. It should have been written as narrative nonfiction, rather than jumping around via disjointed paragraphs and interspersed anecdotes. It was very long, and just when you thought it was wrapping up, BOOM! another chapter. Since it was very textbook-y, with questions at the end of each chapter, it was very dry and not emotionally moving at all. I skipped the whole "call to action" chapter because I was anxious to be done with it.

[Paige Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking and emotional. Touching on huge problems in our nation from child abuse, to drug use, to mental health and especially hits on the need for justice reform - especially for juveniles.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as engagingly written as I might have liked, but gave a picture of many details of prison life and psychology that I was curious about. I especially appreciated the ending chapter that provided some summary observations and action suggestions. A helpful book even if it wasn’t very literary

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at the book club meeting. She was fascinating and supplied even more information since the publishing of the book.