The Shadow of Childhood Harm Behind Prison Walls: Theory, Evidence, and Treatment

Prison is a place where harm festers and replicates, and any conversation about it must start with the people who live there. Wolff's book "The Shadow of Childhood Harm" explores the lives of people who end up inside prison and reveals the harm that began in childhood and its subsequent shadow that manifests as harm to self and others. She uses ethics, law, science, and compassion to call out the anti-humanism roots underpinning the current correctional system and rings in a new way of intelligently designing and maintaining a just, fair, and person-centered system of asylum of and for humanity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Prison, a term that carries a weighty and often negative connotation, evokes images of harshness and negativity in the minds of many. The word "criminal" stirs up a range of emotions, including fear, disgust, anger, aggression, and revenge, which are nearly universal feelings associated with those who have broken the law. These sentiments form the basis of prisons as institutions where harm, stemming from neglect, indifference, and scarcity, festers and reproduces like a contagious virus. Consequently, any discussion about the potential benefits of prison must begin with the individuals who inhabit these spaces.

In her book "The Shadow of Childhood Harm," author Wolff takes readers on a profound journey through the lives of individuals who find themselves trapped within the confines of prison. Through a blend of compassion and evidence, Wolff guides us through the experiences of those who have suffered harm in their childhood, ultimately leading to their incarceration. Drawing upon the insights and wisdom of those who have lived through the trauma of harm, she weaves an expansive body of research that exposes the profound harm that begins in childhood and extends its shadow into adolescence and adulthood, ultimately culminating in criminal behavior that results in incarceration.

Wolff employs a powerful combination of ethics, law, science, and compassion to challenge the anti-humanism at the heart of the current correctional system. She boldly calls out the flaws in the design of the system, highlighting its failure to prioritize the well-being and rehabilitation of individuals. Instead, she advocates for a new approach to intelligently designing and maintaining a just, fair, and person-centered system of asylum for and of humanity.

Through her compelling storytelling and rigorous analysis, Wolff offers a hopeful vision for a more compassionate and effective approach to addressing crime and justice. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of harm, such as poverty, trauma, and social inequality, and providing support and resources to individuals who need it most. By prioritizing rehabilitation and restoration, rather than punishment and isolation, we can create a society that is safer, more just, and more compassionate for all.

In conclusion, "The Shadow of Childhood Harm" is a thought-provoking and powerful book that sheds light on the profound impact of harm on individuals and society. Through her compassionate approach and rigorous analysis, Wolff challenges the status quo and advocates for a new way of thinking about prison and its potential for positive change. By prioritizing the well-being and rehabilitation of individuals, we can create a more just and compassionate world for all.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 243 x 165 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197653135