Jail Journal: Sewing Behind Bars

by Nancie Wiseman Attwater

This is a story of sewing, but it is also the story of the female inmates that Nancie Wiseman Attwater taught at a county jail.

She went to the jail to teach sewing, but she learned patience, understanding, and acceptance. She also ended up helping inmates learn manners, language, math, English, and geography – often without even realizing it.

While teaching, she met women who became “her girls” – gang members, murderers, shoplifters, burglars, robbers, car thieves, pedophiles, Immigration detainees and prostitutes. She taught inmates over eight years in an environment that most people never see.

During that time, she heard incredible stories of survival from women who lived on the streets, found work without legal documentation, or battled a drug habit. She became more convinced than ever that their lives matter, and their stories need to be heard.

Join young and vibrant women as they learn valuable lessons by connecting with the author and spending time at the sewing machine.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2019

Reviews

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jail Journal chronicles Nancie Wiseman Attwater’s eight years teaching sewing to various female inmates at the county jail. When she willingly accepts the position, she learns to maneuver through the rules and regulations of jail life while finding ways to bring some calm and normalcy to an otherwise chaotic and scary lifestyle for her students. Told in a series of linear stories that highlight her time at the jail, Attwater shows readers both the best and worst sides of humanity enclosed in this often sweltering yet nurturing corner of this fortress. The reader does not need to know about sewing or prison living in order to enjoy this character study in humanity, charity, and exploring the gray areas of life.

You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/jail-...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. A touching but very informative book how Nancie Wiseman Attwater went to a jail to teach the women inmates to sew. But what she learned about the jail system and the women she taught is a way more valuable. She changed lives and taught life lessons to those who really needed a friend to listen to their stories.