Disruptive Prisoners: Resistance, Reform, and the New Deal

Disruptive Prisoners is a social history of Canada's federal prison system in the mid-twentieth century that uses collective biography, archival research, and prisoner press materials to argue that prisoners were active agents of change who advocated for and resisted New Deal in Corrections initiatives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2021
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Disruptive Prisoners is a groundbreaking work that reconstructs the history of Canada's federal prison system in the mid-twentieth century through a collective biography approach. This social history delves into the lives of prisoners, administrators, prison reformers, and politicians, utilizing extensive archival research and access to government documents. However, what sets this book apart is its reliance on penal press materials created by prisoners themselves, as well as an interview with one of the founding penal press editors. By incorporating these unique sources, the authors offer a distinctive and unparalleled analysis of the Canadian prison system.

At the heart of Disruptive Prisoners lies the lived experiences of men who were incarcerated in federal penitentiaries during this period. The book challenges the notion that prisoners were mere passive recipients of intervention, instead arguing that they were active agents of change. Through their voices and experiences, prisoners shed light on the initiatives and policies implemented during Canada's New Deal in Corrections. The juxtaposition of these prisoners' perspectives with official administrative, parliamentary, and government records provides a nuanced and complicated reframing of the post-Archambault Commission era.

One of the key strengths of Disruptive Prisoners is its use of an alternative evidential base. The authors have extensively relied on penal press materials, which offer a firsthand account of the experiences and struggles of prisoners. These materials provide a valuable insight into the daily lives, conditions, and resistance movements within the prisons. By integrating subaltern perspectives and challenging the dominant narratives, the book offers a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the Canadian prison system.

Furthermore, the commitment of the authors to integrating subaltern perspectives is evident throughout the text. They recognize the importance of amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, including prisoners, who have often been overlooked in traditional criminological and historical texts. This approach not only adds depth to the analysis but also contributes to a more equitable and inclusive understanding of the past.

The first-hand accounts by prisoners of their experiences of incarceration further enhance the readability and engagement of the book. These accounts provide a humanizing perspective on the prison system, highlighting the hardships, injustices, and resilience of those who were incarcerated. They challenge the notion that prisoners are merely criminals or victims, instead revealing their complex identities and the broader social and political contexts that shaped their lives.

In conclusion, Disruptive Prisoners is a highly readable and engaging work that offers a fresh perspective on the history of Canada's federal prison system. Through its collective biography approach, extensive archival research, and unique sources, the book provides a nuanced and complicated understanding of the post-Archambault Commission era. By challenging the dominant narratives and integrating subaltern perspectives, it contributes to a more equitable and inclusive understanding of the past. This book is a valuable addition to the field of criminology and history, and it will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the Canadian prison system.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487525910