Inside Knowledge: Incarcerated People on the Failures of the American Prison

Inside Knowledge is a powerful critique of mass incarceration that examines the American prison system through the eyes of those who are trapped within it. It argues that mass incarceration spreads and perpetuates harm among families and communities, defeating the prisons' missions of rehabilitation, containment, deterrence, and retribution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: New York University Press

Inside Knowledge is a groundbreaking book that delves into the American prison system, offering a unique perspective from those who have firsthand experience of its workings. Drawing from the rich collection of writings in the American Prison Writing Archive, Doran Larson skillfully portrays how mass incarceration not only fails to mitigate the harm caused by convicted individuals but also exacerbates it, spreading harm to their families and communities.

The book makes a compelling case that American prisons not only undermine the well-being and rehabilitation of their inmates but also undermine their primary objectives of rehabilitation, containment, deterrence, and even retributive justice. If prisons are meant to serve as educational institutions for convicted individuals, then those who have been incarcerated are the best equipped to understand the true lessons imparted within these institutions.

Inside Knowledge is a profound and devastating exploration of the realities of mass incarceration in America. It is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to address this pressing issue and understand the profound impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479818006