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Citizen Outlaw: One Man’s Journey from Gangleader to Peacekeeper
A dramatic narrative account of the life of William Juneboy Outlaw III, whose journey from housing-project youth to ruthless gangland kingpin to change-making community advocate represents a vital next chapter in the ongoing conversation about race and social justice in America
When he was in his early twenties, William Juneboy Outlaw III was sentenced to eighty-five years in prison for homicide and armed assault. The sentence brought his brief but prolific criminal career as the head of a forty-member cocaine gang in New Haven, Connecticut, to a close. But behind bars, Outlaw quickly became a feared prison “shot caller” with 150 men under his sway.
Then everything changed: his original sentence was reduced by sixty years. At the same time, he was shipped to a series of the most notorious federal prisons in the country, where he endured long stints in solitary confinement—and where transformational relationships with a fellow inmate and a prison therapist made him realize that he wanted more for himself.
Upon his release, Outlaw took a job at Dunkin’ Donuts, volunteered in the New Haven community, and started to rebuild his life. He now is an award-winning community advocate, leading a team of former felons who negotiate truces between gangs on the very streets that he once terrorized. The homicide rate in New Haven has dropped 70 percent in the decade that he’s run the team—a drop as dramatic as in any city in the country.
Written with exclusive access to Outlaw himself, Charles Barber’s Citizen Outlaw is the unforgettable story of how a gang leader became the catalyst for one of the greatest civic crime reductions in America, and an inspiring argument for love and compassion in the face of insurmountable odds.
When he was in his early twenties, William Juneboy Outlaw III was sentenced to eighty-five years in prison for homicide and armed assault. The sentence brought his brief but prolific criminal career as the head of a forty-member cocaine gang in New Haven, Connecticut, to a close. But behind bars, Outlaw quickly became a feared prison “shot caller” with 150 men under his sway.
Then everything changed: his original sentence was reduced by sixty years. At the same time, he was shipped to a series of the most notorious federal prisons in the country, where he endured long stints in solitary confinement—and where transformational relationships with a fellow inmate and a prison therapist made him realize that he wanted more for himself.
Upon his release, Outlaw took a job at Dunkin’ Donuts, volunteered in the New Haven community, and started to rebuild his life. He now is an award-winning community advocate, leading a team of former felons who negotiate truces between gangs on the very streets that he once terrorized. The homicide rate in New Haven has dropped 70 percent in the decade that he’s run the team—a drop as dramatic as in any city in the country.
Written with exclusive access to Outlaw himself, Charles Barber’s Citizen Outlaw is the unforgettable story of how a gang leader became the catalyst for one of the greatest civic crime reductions in America, and an inspiring argument for love and compassion in the face of insurmountable odds.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
15 people are currently reading
1143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 29, 2020
Krista says:
This was a great inspirational story! William Juneboy Outlaw is the example of a man who literally went to hell and lived to tell about it. His conversion from infamous drug lord to community welfare advocate is a story woven together with life lessons, advice, and encouragement. As police officer Stacy Spell commented, "This is the story of a phoenix." Culturally diverse and uplifting, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read a unique human-interest story.
This was a great inspirational story! William Juneboy Outlaw is the example of a man who literally went to hell and lived to tell about it. His conversion from infamous drug lord to community welfare advocate is a story woven together with life lessons, advice, and encouragement. As police officer Stacy Spell commented, "This is the story of a phoenix." Culturally diverse and uplifting, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read a unique human-interest story.
September 20, 2019
I won an advanced copy of this book on Goodreads. This book is outstanding! The book doesn't glorify the gangster life, just tells Mr. Outlaw's life from a young boy, to organized drug dealing, to prison for his terrible crimes, to redemption after his release. I found this book to be engaging it shows a message of faith and hope in changing one's path and to truly help out other people who are following a destructive path. A wonderful worthwhile read.
November 22, 2020
Anyone in the greater New Haven area who has spent time in the city over the last 40-50 years will be interested in reading this magnificently written biography, which is as much about the human capital lost to violence as it is the implosion of an economic model. The flight of industry from New Haven and Connecticut in general sparks generational conflicts, and William Outlaw—a great talent for leadership—shaped by his environment and possessing great reservoirs of strength and willpower, steps into that conflict to organize an effective gang.
July 7, 2021
This story of one man's journey from the streets of New Haven, to prison, and back to the community as a leader, peacekeeper and advocate was a great, great read. I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone. Especially those who believe the unrelenting power of change and redemption. The author's descriptive character depth brings Mr. Outlaw, and Jungle boyz to life. Couldn't put it down!!!
Want to read
September 8, 2020Publisher's description: A dramatic narrative account of the life of William Juneboy Outlaw III, whose journey from housing-project youth to ruthless gangland kingpin to change-making community advocate represents a vital next chapter in the ongoing conversation about race and social justice in America
When he was in his early twenties, William Juneboy Outlaw III was sentenced to eighty-five years in prison for homicide and armed assault. The sentence brought his brief but prolific criminal career as the head of a forty-member cocaine gang in New Haven, Connecticut, to a close. But behind bars, Outlaw quickly became a feared prison "shot caller" with 150 men under his sway.
Then everything changed: his original sentence was reduced by sixty years. At the same time, he was shipped to a series of the most notorious federal prisons in the country, where he endured long stints in solitary confinement--and where transformational relationships with a fellow inmate and a prison therapist made him realize that he wanted more for himself.
Upon his release, Outlaw took a job at Dunkin' Donuts, volunteered in the New Haven community, and started to rebuild his life. He now is an award-winning community advocate, leading a team of former felons who negotiate truces between gangs on the very streets that he once terrorized. The homicide rate in New Haven has dropped 70 percent in the decade that he's run the team--a drop as dramatic as in any city in the country.
Written with exclusive access to Outlaw himself, Charles Barber's Citizen Outlaw is the unforgettable story of how a gang leader became the catalyst for one of the greatest civic crime reductions in America, and an inspiring argument for love and compassion in the face of insurmountable odds
When he was in his early twenties, William Juneboy Outlaw III was sentenced to eighty-five years in prison for homicide and armed assault. The sentence brought his brief but prolific criminal career as the head of a forty-member cocaine gang in New Haven, Connecticut, to a close. But behind bars, Outlaw quickly became a feared prison "shot caller" with 150 men under his sway.
Then everything changed: his original sentence was reduced by sixty years. At the same time, he was shipped to a series of the most notorious federal prisons in the country, where he endured long stints in solitary confinement--and where transformational relationships with a fellow inmate and a prison therapist made him realize that he wanted more for himself.
Upon his release, Outlaw took a job at Dunkin' Donuts, volunteered in the New Haven community, and started to rebuild his life. He now is an award-winning community advocate, leading a team of former felons who negotiate truces between gangs on the very streets that he once terrorized. The homicide rate in New Haven has dropped 70 percent in the decade that he's run the team--a drop as dramatic as in any city in the country.
Written with exclusive access to Outlaw himself, Charles Barber's Citizen Outlaw is the unforgettable story of how a gang leader became the catalyst for one of the greatest civic crime reductions in America, and an inspiring argument for love and compassion in the face of insurmountable odds
February 28, 2022
This is an extraordinary if not unfamiliar tale about a criminal, a New Haven CT gangbanger who ultimately finds redemption. Improbably named William Outlaw is no run-of-the-mill street thug. A giant of a man who started out as a giant of a kid, he starts his own gang as a teenager, which ultimately grows into a multi-million dollar drug empire and earns him a legendary reputation on the streets. Inevitably, he winds up in prison for a very, very long time, moving around from various infamous institutions and not being rehabilitated. Until one psychologist/social worker helps him turn things around. He is ultimately released and devotes his life to helping reduce the violence in his home town, something he is able to do due to his incredible courage, commitment and street red. His ability to understand how gang-bangers in his neighborhood think and act informs his approach to working with them and they are effective, according to studies. Charles Barber tells this story with verve, compassion and credibility and it is fascinating throughout — Outlaw is a larger than life character who, as one law enforcement official put it, has the brains and talent to be a Fortune 500 CEO, which is pretty close to how he operated as a gang leader. A great book and a genuinely inspirational story.
Grade: A
Grade: A
December 26, 2019
I enjoyed Citizen Outlaw and could not put it down despite a splitting migraine headache. It's the story of protagonist William Outlaw's redemption under challenging circumstances, and a view into a criminal world unfamiliar to most (suburban) readers.
Barber draws us in immediately with the story of a murder, and the book takes off from there. He provides just enough detail to understand gangs, the unstoppable flow of money & drugs, jails, "diesel therapy", shot calling, and halfway houses without entering into grizzly detail.
Mr. Outlaw is a working example of one man's break from the system and his efforts to change the lives of the next generation of young black men. No small feat, and no easy explanation. Hopefully the story of Citizen Outlaw has the potential to inspire others and start to break the racist system of prisons and drug wars.
Barber draws us in immediately with the story of a murder, and the book takes off from there. He provides just enough detail to understand gangs, the unstoppable flow of money & drugs, jails, "diesel therapy", shot calling, and halfway houses without entering into grizzly detail.
Mr. Outlaw is a working example of one man's break from the system and his efforts to change the lives of the next generation of young black men. No small feat, and no easy explanation. Hopefully the story of Citizen Outlaw has the potential to inspire others and start to break the racist system of prisons and drug wars.
October 30, 2019
William Juneboy Outlaw III dropped out of high school after basketball season of his freshman year. He turned to dealing drugs. Around 16 or 17, he set up his own drug business and recruited others to help. This turned into a gang called the Jungle Boys. Juneboy was big for his age. He was 6'3''. he was respected on the street for his size, street smarts, ability to run a gang and a huge money making business. He killed a man and spent the next 25 years in prison.
By the time he was released, with the help of a prison therapist, he realized that there was more to life. He wanted to become a better person and to help others from the projects, learn to deal constructively with issues. He began volunteering. He became an award winning community activist.
By the time he was released, with the help of a prison therapist, he realized that there was more to life. He wanted to become a better person and to help others from the projects, learn to deal constructively with issues. He began volunteering. He became an award winning community activist.
February 4, 2021
This book was incredible. The story of a truly remarkable modern peacekeeper. I love how the book is split into 2 parts: Part one- “Outlaw” and Part two- “Citizen” (and don’t skip the prelude!) In the first part, the story is crafted so ingeniously that you see this notorious and horrible gang leader as the protagonist, even though he’s just terrible. You find yourself empathizing with him and absolutely disgusted at the criminal justice and prison system. Then in part 2, you follow his inspiring transformation from prison to community leader and peacekeeper. This book brings numerous current political and social justice issues to your immediate attention but through moving storytelling instead of ham-fisted messaging. I was enthralled, disturbed, and inspired. It was fantastic.
November 4, 2019
I received this bock as a a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed reading this inspirational story of a criminal whose self-reformsbrought peace both to him and his city. It is well written and reflects accurately the journey of William Juneboy Outlaw from housing-project youth to criminal mastermind to convicted murderer to feared prison shot-caller to award-winning and change-making community advocate. It represents a vital next chapter in the ongoing conversation about race and social justice, that will be specially interesting for those with interest in the criminal justice field.
March 18, 2020
A friend gave me this book, and I didn't really want to read it. Fortunately I did read it and I was really involved in this biography of a young teenager who became a gang leader by the time he was 17. He was one of the biggest drug dealers in Connecticut and was imprisoned by the time he was 20. Every step of his life was detailed in this very readable book, including his amazing turn around into a man of peace and a counselor to gang members. Very detailed and very interesting.
July 12, 2020
Great story about an ole school gangster (OG) learning from the error of his ways. After completing a twenty-year prison term for murder, the protagonist (William Outlaw) returns to a neighbor more violent then when he went inside. As an OG with an impressive story of redemption, he finds work with a local Outreach team in New Haven that's fairly effective persuading local toughs from seeking retribution, following the death of a friend or family member.
October 26, 2021
Interesante, el libro presenta la historia de una persona con muchos eventos reñidos con la ley y su estadía en el sistema penitenciario de Estados Unidos. La historia se desarrolla en Connecticut (shout out Milford), lo cual es poco convencional. No es un "hood book", sino un libro que te establece que la única posibilidad de rehabilitación proviene de la misma persona, nunca del sistema penitenciario.
February 11, 2020
Charles Barber has wonderfully captured the life of Mr. Outlaw and telling his story with honesty, heartbreak, and redemption, as well as the ongoing struggles of urban communities. Bravo to Mr. Barber and William "Juneboy Outlaw III. I commend your commitment to tell this story and to continue the "good fight." Highly recommending your book to our library patrons in Hamden, CT.
February 22, 2020
One of the best books I've read in a long time. Very appealing and real with alot of things going on from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a success story. Go pick one up if you can?
March 23, 2020
Received from Goodreads, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this one! Story of a man who does a complete turnaround with his life. I recommend this to young kids having a hard time making the right decisions about their lives!
April 15, 2020
This was a very good book . It was an amazing story how Outlaw turned his life around!!!
It was very inspirational and makes you really learn not to judge people because of their past .
There were so many people who outlaw cane across who really impacted his life and what he is today !!!
It was very inspirational and makes you really learn not to judge people because of their past .
There were so many people who outlaw cane across who really impacted his life and what he is today !!!
October 9, 2024
Overall very inspiring and informative. Not the type of book I usually read, but it was very engaging. I do think I would have liked it better if Outlaw had written the book himself, but it was very well done nonetheless.
January 23, 2021
Excellent book. Eye opening... Important.. Should be read by anyone who has lived a safe and privileged life.
May 22, 2021
Incredible story. Makes me wish we had programs/people in place everywhere that could have this type of positive impact on communities who are suffering.
September 20, 2021
An absolute must read for those interested in effecting social reform and how one individual can turn not just themselves, but almost a whole city, around.
February 19, 2023
Fascinating read of a brilliant young man in New Haven who turns his life around as an adult, working with youth
January 19, 2025
I’d give it a 4.5. What an amazing story and transformation for this man.
December 26, 2019
Couldn't put it down! Told with exacting, precise detail. Made me feel like I was there with William Outlaw the whole way through his journey.
October 26, 2019
This is an epic journey of someone who went from one of the most feared young men in New Haven, CT to being highly respected as a man who relentlessly pursues peace on those very streets. He mentors those returning from prison in hopes of inspiring them to make positive changes in their lives. This is one of those “can’t put it down” stories which is captured flawlessly by the author.
February 21, 2020
An inspirational read about a man who turned his life around and has made it his mission to try to help others do the same. It was a very good and enjoyable book
October 2, 2021
This was such a great and inspirational story! William Juneboy Outlaw is the example of a man who literally went to hell and came back. His conversion from local drug lord to intervention advocate is a story woven deep with life lessons, advice, and encouragement. As police officer Stacy Spell stated, "This is the story of a phoenix". Culturally diverse and uplifting, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read a unique human-interest story.
(The only thing that kept me from gving this book five stars was the author's writing style. It is evident in these pages that Barber has done his research, but parts of the story could have been presented clearer. His writing can be choppy and characters often appear in Outlaw's story before they are thoroughly introduced to the reader.)
(The only thing that kept me from gving this book five stars was the author's writing style. It is evident in these pages that Barber has done his research, but parts of the story could have been presented clearer. His writing can be choppy and characters often appear in Outlaw's story before they are thoroughly introduced to the reader.)
July 26, 2023
Well written, heart wrenching and real.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews