A Grip of Time: When Prison Is Your Life

by Lauren Kessler

A Grip of Time (prison slang for a very long sentence behind bars) takes readers into a world most know little about—a maximum-security prison—and into the minds and hearts of the men who live there. These men, who are serving out life sentences for aggravated murder, join a fledgling Lifers' Writing Group started by award-winning author Lauren Kessler. Over the course of three years, meeting twice a month, the men reveal more and more about themselves, their pasts, and the alternating drama and tedium of their incarcerated lives. As they struggle with the weight of their guilt and wonder if they should hope for a future outside prison walls, Kessler struggles with the fiercely competing ideas of rehabilitation and punishment, forgiveness and blame that are at the heart of the American penal system. Gripping, intense, and heartfelt, A Grip of Time: When Prison Is Your Life shows what a lifetime with no hope of release looks like up-close.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Memoir

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2019

About the author

Lauren Kessler is an award-winning author and immersion reporter who combines lively narrative with deep research to explore everything from the gritty world of a maximum security prison to the grueling world of professional ballet; from the wild, wild west of the anti-aging movement to the hidden world of Alzheimer’s sufferers; from the stormy seas of the mother-daughter relationship to the full court press of women’s basketball. She is the author of 12 works of narrative nonfiction, including Pacific Northwest Book Award winner Dancing with Rose, Washington Post bestseller Clever Girl and Los Angeles Times bestseller The Happy Bottom Riding. She is also the author of Oregon Book Award winner Stubborn Twig, which was chosen as the book for all Oregon to read in honor of the states 2009 sesquicentennial.

Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times Magazine, O magazine, Utne Reader, The Nation, newsweek.com and salon.com. Club www.laurenkessler.com

Reviews

[Rene Denfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb I wrote for this astonishing book sums it up: "What happens when hope is gone? A GRIP OF TIME is the true-life story of a group of men sentenced to life in prison. They have gathered in a writing group, telling stories no one will want to hear. With a clear eye, Lauren Kessler writes of their journey—and her own. This is a devastating examination of guilt and remorse, of the unanswered questions of a nation that has pursued mass incarceration without even asking what justice means, or should be. Erased, vanished, haunted: this is a story not just about American prisoners, but our country's moral code."

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kessler treats the men who she writes about with respect, dignity, and compassion. Their stories are powerful and worthy of sharing.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

{Thank you, Red Lighting Books via Edelweiss, for the free digital copy to review. All opinions are my own.}

Curious about the lives of inmates and the current prison system of America, Lauren Kessler starts a writing group within the walls of Oregon State Prison (OSP). It takes several years before she gains full clearance inside the prison, but through sheer determination and the help of the employed activities director, Kessler finally gains access to a group of murderers, rapists, and robbers in order to learn more about an inmate’s day-to-day life.

Each chapter presents a new topic or theme that Kessler has the inmates write about. From “A Week in the Life Of…” to “Dreams”, Kessler slowly gains their trust and eventually gets some very well-done pieces of writing. You slowly see how the inmates learn that there is power in their words – their story. Through the “homework” they have each week, they come to some big realizations and truly reflect on their pasts, as well as their futures.

What I loved the most from this book was how Kessler humanized the inmates and gave them a voice. I think it’s easy for society to just write off criminals and bad people, but Kessler reminds us that they are not what they did. Instead, they are people who hurt and worry and try to rehabilitate themselves in the hope that they may someday be released back into society.

Also interspersed throughout the book are facts and statistics about the prison system in general. I found these additions to be complimentary to the overall story and also very educational. I’m no guru on the prison system, but Kessler gave me a lot to think about.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. Kessler writes investigative journalism while making it interesting and informative – something I think would be hard to do. Especially about inmates and the prison system! But I really enjoyed this book and learned lots of new stuff in the process!

On Shelves: May 1, 2019

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Grip of Time by Lauren Kessler is the story of men behind bars who join a writing class.

First, let me thank Edelweiss, the publisher Red Lightening Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:
Lauren Kessler, an award-winning author, wants to bring a writing class to the inmates of Oregon State Penitentiary, a maximum security prison. She wants to give the men a chance to write down their thoughts and feelings, bring them to life, and maybe send their words out into the world. Lauren feels that the power of words should be for everyone, and hopes they can make a difference in many lives. She will jump through many hoops to get her wish.

A grip of time is prison slang for a very long sentence behind bars. The group of men she works with are all serving life sentences, some multiple life sentences, and very few will ever get parole. They have already served many years. They are all incarcerated for murder, or multiple murders, but have worked hard on their rehabilitation, and stayed out of trouble for at least 3 years, so that they are allowed to live on A-Block, where they have a few more privileges, and a little more quiet. These men are allowed to join Lauren’s workshop.

Lauren makes a friend in Steven, a Corrections Officer, who advocates for her group and helps whenever he can.

Although nervous at being one of the few females allowed inside this prison, she earns the respect of these lifers, and she learns to respect them. Ever conscious of her own freedom, she invites them to share the stories of their lives now, not their crimes. They are more than willing.

Lauren is struck by the fact that her own stereotypes of men who have committed horrendous crimes may have changed, as much as the years behind prison walls has changed these men.


My Opinions:
This book first drew my attention because my step-daughter was a Corrections Officer at a maximum security prison for men. The second reason for my interest was the idea of teaching inmates to develop and respect their writing abilities.

Although the author specifically asked for first names only, she eventually learned who her students were, and the extent of their crimes. They told her, not to scare her, but to share their experiences, their trust.

This was a clear look at what these men go through every day, how they learn to cope, and how they learn to grow, all within the confines of the prison walls. How these men strive to change, how they continue to hope, even when hope seems implausible. How they have learned to live with the consequences of their actions. These men may not be the norm, but they were worth listening to.

The author wrote with compassion, with integrity, with respect.

For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
 

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an insightful look into the lives of individuals who are/were incarcerated in the Oregon State Penitentiary. Kessler works as a volunteer in the prison who runs a writing group as a means of helping the men improve their writing and writing a book herself about the prison. Each week, she gives the men prompts to write from and shares what they have written in her book. The book is valuable in helping readers understand the challenges inherent in prison and gives readers the opportunity to see the men as men instead of as their crimes. It also encourages the reader to think about prison reform and questions the efficacy of long prison sentences, especially for crimes committed early in one's life.

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, received from Goodreads, shares the author's experience teaching writing to "lifers"in prison and emphasizes the trans-formative power of sharing one's story.

[Alan Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly inspiring, thoughtful and full of learning.

Lauren Kessler, a journalist in Oregon, leads a writing workshop for incarcerated individuals in a Salem state prison. In this book, she shares the stories of the 'lifers' (inmates serving life in prison) who participate in her workshop, as well as their submissions to the creative and thought-provoking writing prompts she assigns. The book includes a glossary of terms used in prison, a copy of the "convict's Ten Commandments" passed on within the prison system since the 1940s, and the emotions behind real, unsuccessful parole board hearings and endless bureaucracy. She shows Restorative Justice in practice; reconciliation of convicts with victims and the community, as well as understanding the underlying root causes of their actions one, two, or even three decades prior, in some cases as teenagers.

"The last word should be about our victims. I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak about the pain and remorse roar each of us felt and shared through our writings. The want and need to redeem ourselves or pay back for what we have done is with us all the time. How do you pay for a life taken? You don't. You can't. But you can live for and honor your victims by being the best person you can be from this day forward."

[Martin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful glimpses into the lives of inmates and for those particularly interested in the subject the author provides plenty of further reading throughout

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this gripping well-written book, this award winning author combines moving narrative with information she has gleaned from her "in the trenches research" in the Oregon State Prison. She tells of her experiences with starting a writers' group in the Oregon State Prison with lifers, spending 3 years developing trust with a group of men to help them write and talk about their lives and their journey in dealing with what it is like being in a place with no privacy, few possibilities of rehabilitation and meaningful outlets for growth and pleasure. She tells them from the beginning that she thinks writing is "both a way of connecting with others and a way of understanding and making sense of yourself and that it can be painful and joyful." Well worth the read.

Over the past several months, I have been regularly visiting a detainee (really a prisoner), seeking asylum in the US, over the last several months in an ICE prison in Folkston, GA. There are 2 rows of razor wire around the facility, 6 heavy metal doors to be buzzed into, harassment by some of the guards who check you in, and going through a security check with shoes off, before you can enter and be locked in to a crowded visitation room. Much of what he describes of life in the detention center is similar to what is described in this book. He entered legally in California with his toddler child and her mother and was immediately separated from them. He has committed no crime and has been sent to southern Georgia. He is a dark skinned African in southern GA. I think we can all easily figure why that was done. He speaks four different languages and loves to read and write letters. I hope to use some of what I've learned from this book with him with the hope that his story becomes known and justice can prevail. I am not real hopeful in this environment, but worth the time and effort.

[Jeffrey Powanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Kessler, who has published several nonfiction books on various subjects, went to Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) to form a Lifers' Writers Group. Originally, only three men joined, but gradually the group grew to 11 men, all serving life sentences for violent crimes, including murder. She told them that she didn’t want to know their criminal history or their last names. She met with them twice a month for three years, supplied them writing prompts for 5-minute exercises, encouraged their writing habits, helped edit their short essays for publication in a prison newsletter, and ultimately got them to submit their work to the PEN America Prison Writing Contest, an annual writing competition for prisoners. Two of the prisoners achieved recognition in that contest.

The book follows a predictable outline and Kessler is a competent writer. I enjoyed it, as I do most books about prison. Not sure why. I think I'm just fascinated by the constraints that prison puts on someone's life, and Kessler certainly explores those constraints, which have gotten even more restrictive over the decades (no trees in the yard, no boxing, limited access to books, and so on).

But the perspective is all Kessler's. It's about her experiences leading a writing group in prison for three years. She confronts many of the problematic aspects of the prison system, including its emphasis on punishment instead of rehabilitation. She's frustrated by the lack of hope the prison system gives these men who face the "grip of time" (prison slang for a very long sentence), and she wants to believe that prisoners can change.

But I was more interested in the prisoners' perspective. I wanted more examples of their writing, more details of their lives, more insight into how they perceived Kessler. (Did they suspect she was doing this just to get another book out of the experience?) I wanted to know more details of their parole denials, legal setbacks, and their distance from loved ones on the outside.

Although Kessler told the men she didn't want to know of their criminal history, she eventually learned plenty from the men's writing, and she agreed to attend the rehabilitation hearing (a.k.a. "murder review") of one of the prisoners. She thought the hearing would be about the last three decades of the man's life in prison, but instead it narrowly focused on the murder he committed 29 years ago. That chapter is the most heartbreaking in Kessler's book because it directly confronts the pain that survivors of violent crime must endure as well as the oppressive and Kafkaesque parole system that prisoners must contend with long after the crime.

Kessler does an admirable job describing the frustrations of our prison system, but you won't find suggestions for reform, such as repealing mandatory sentencing laws, improvements to post-secondary education, stopping the practice of solitary confinement, or enhancing the role of prison guards into one that provides more counseling, mentoring, and assistance. Kessler is a documentarian, not a reformer.

Kessler mentions that OSP was also home to Gary Gilmore, the subject of Norman Mailer’s bestselling nonfiction novel The Executioner’s Song. I expect that that book (and the 1982 movie adapted from it starring Tommy Lee Jones) provides the details lacking in Kessler's book, so I'll seek it out.

[Chunyang Ding · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Grip of Time was a difficult book to read for many reasons. I won't deny that it was a fascinating and gripping book - after starting it, it was very difficult to put down this narrative of prisoners sentenced for life, some without the chance for parole. Yet, so much of the book explores pain and tragedy, and it is nearly impossible to feel voyeuristic throughout the entire journey. These are people who will never be able to see or interact with anyone who reads their deeply personal, deeply human stories. The narrator herself is also very much part of the story, leading to both good (the very personal and deeply moving ways in which she responds to the writing of the convicts) and bad (the gnawing suspicion that, as the convicts seem to hint at, she is in this program to get something out of it).

Lauren's own writing is masterful, as are the men who she meets with. Her narration is not especially precise, but that may be as a result of describing a system as opaque and convoluted as the Oregon department of correction. There is no doubt that these narratives are heartfelt and touching, but it does leave me with a sense of incompleteness, in the way that you may have when you only here about someone rather than from someone.

[Molly Ringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me by surprise—prison life isn't a topic I usually give much thought to and I wouldn't have normally picked up a book about it, but I was lucky enough to get a copy last year, and this year I finally read it. And now I feel guilty about that ignorance, now that Kessler has given me a glimpse of what maximum-security prison is really like.

This is a moving and sensitive account of her experience leading a writing group in Oregon State Penitentiary with a group of convicted murderers who are interested in writing about their lives. All of them are more thoughtful, philosophical, and resilient than I would have imagined, and Kessler does a wonderful job being honest about her own sometimes-ambivalent feelings throughout. As she says a few times: yes, they deserve to be locked up for what they did...but for how long? What amount of years is fair? And how comfortable vs. unpleasant should their life be while they're in prison?

They're not questions with easy answers. But I admit my thoughts have shifted a little in the direction of compassion after reading this. A remarkable book all around.

[Ryanspaperadventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Kessler’s, A Grip of Time, had me sucked in from the very beginning. This book provides such detailed insight on life behind bars, from a philosophical and emotional perspective as well as a physical one. Chronicling the life of “lifers” at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) before and after their incarceration, Lauren does an amazing job detailing these prisoners’ emotions and personalities in a way that allows the reader to create their own opinions of how they’ve spent their time locked away. I really enjoyed this book, it opened my eyes to an otherwise unseen world and dynamic and made me question today’s prison system, particularly how successful it is at “rehabilitation” and if there’s ways it could be improved. That being said she got involved and her commitment and devotion is so appreciated, not just by the readers who can experience a hidden world, but by the prisoners who now finally have someone who listens and helps them write their own stories.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kessler does a fantastic job immersing herself in her writing projects, and this one is no exception. A Grip of Time details her experience with a writers' group made up of "lifers" at Oregon State Penitentiary. Not only is in an inside look at the workings of a prison, but also the lives of the men who are, most likely, going to spend the rest of their lives inside the walls of the OSP.
The book is a mix of some background--what prison is, the idea of rehabilitation, some statistics--but it's mostly about the lives of these men who are in Kessler's writing group. One of the best parts, in my opinion, was how Kessler balanced caring about these men while also knowing they had committed terrible crimes--all the men in her group were convicted of murder. (We don't get the details on all of them.)

[John Addiego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I've done volunteer work behind bars for several years, this book was filled with surprises and revelations for me. It has to do with lifers, who are a kind of prison breed apart. Kessler does a wonderful job of showing the complexity of each person's situation and dismantling various stereotypes most of us inadvertently get influenced by. Yes, the system is rife with dehumanizing acts and situations. Also, yes, so little of what takes place is focused on rehabilitation. But also, yes: there don't appear to be simple, one-size-fits-all solutions, and many of the men she writes about seem to be where they belong for what they did. It's a truly revealing and thoughtful report on the lives of men who will likely remain behind bars until they die.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Kessler decided to start a writing class at the Oregon State Penitentiary for Senior Lifers (men over 50 who weren't getting out), a process that took three years to accomplish. She meets with a total of 12 men over several years, prompting them to write about those issues most relevant to their 20 or 30 or more years in prison. Their work is transformative for them and for her. For the reader their words are wrenching. Kessler does an immense amount of research but her writing is personable and respectful. She discovers that these men are unanimously remorseful, felt they were deserving of their "grip of time" in prison, and every one of them had worked hard to change their lives. A worthy read!

[Jk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free Kindle copy of this book via the Goodreads Giveaways program and would like to thank anyone involved in making that come to pass.

This is a nonfiction narrative chronicling the author's endeavors teaching a writing class to a group of men serving life sentences in a maximum security prison. It provides a fascinating look at the lives of these men as well as deep thought about the humanity and efficacy of the penal system as a whole.

Overall I found this to be compassionate, moving, thought-provoking and educational and I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to broaden my horizons by reading it!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free kindle copy of this book through Good Reads, and since I prefer the heft of a paper book, it has taken me a while to read. And I must admit I was reluctant - heavy topic with no easy answers. But wow, Kessler address her writing group members with compassion, honesty, and the real complex truth of their lives as well as the unwieldy, broken, prison system we have in this country. While a difficult emotional read, I believe it is a necessary and worthy book in order to open our eyes to the fault lines of the penal system, and the people who spend most of their lives behind bars.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had I read this book during my employment with the DOC, I’m sure I would have felt quite differently about the author. In fact I’m pretty sure I would have given this book a disgusted glance and not bothered. Fortunately retirement has perhaps made me more objective. A lot of the stats referenced make sense, but I am positive that if anyone I was close to was the victim of one of the author’s subjects, I would not be able to be as objective. Not one bit. The absence of being a victim allows that objectivity.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 2.3 million Americans behind bars, one out of nine are serving life sentences, more than 30 percent are forty-five or older.

I carry around an undercurrent of weariness. This life of constant routine has worn grooves in my soul.

Prison is a world more readily defined by what is missing than by what is present.

Reasons for secrets are far more important than the information withheld.

Is any amount of remorse would matter to the victim's family, will any level of contrition be quite enough of is endless retribution the only answer?

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed and impressed with some of the writing. Also, although only a few examples of those convicted of horrendous crimes, it was a learning experience. I appreciated Ms. Kessler's determination and like her research and writing (e.g. Stubborn Twig)

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Kessler wrestles with what they did and who they are now. She sees them as human and gives them a voice through writing. The prison system is also shown with its frustrations and problems. And the surprises of the hidden lives, from slang to respect to cautious caring.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping book was a great read

[Karen Michener · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me think differently about my two family members that are currently incarcerated for murder. I wish the men in this story, all the happiness in the world. God bless you!

[Kathrine Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good nonfiction reads this year! This author brings you right into these men's lives. I felt like I knew them! Heartbreaking.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting. I was surprised by the author's naivete of the prisoners, but it did allow a fresh, unblemished look inside.

[Madhur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. Strongly recommend!

[AHZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 for this time.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a great, unexpected pleasure if you like thinking.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an extraordinary book! I didn't know what to expect and I have to admire Lauren for pursuing her dream of writing about the men serving a life sentence. Even though she was appalled by the crimes they committed she was able to convey how they changed during the 20-30 years of their incarceration. She portrayed them being like anyone we might meet in our out-of-prison life and not horrendous murderers. We also get a glimpse of day-to-day life in prison for those who are serving extremely long sentences. She empathizes with these men and after reading about them and the justice system, it seems like they are not always getting a fair shake. They understand they are responsible for their past actions. It's well written; she has researched the subject of long-term incarceration. I recommend adding this book to your to-read list. I would not have chosen this book but was fortunate to be the winner of a giveaway on Goodreads.