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55th out of 117 books
—
39 voters
Inside: Life Behind Bars in America
American jails and prisonsconfine nearly 13.5 million people each year, and it is estimated that6to7 percent of the U.S. population will be confined in their lifetimes. Despite these disturbing numbers, little is known about life inside beyond the mythology of popular culture.
Michael G. Santos, a federal prisoner nearing the end of his second decade of continuous confineme...more
Michael G. Santos, a federal prisoner nearing the end of his second decade of continuous confineme...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
August 8th 2006
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 2006)
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308)
Apr 22, 2010
Rebecca Grace
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir-other,
true-crime
So far, alright. Informative, but I really don't have that much empathy for many of the 'characters' he presents... or the author himself. I'm more of a 'victim's rights' activist, as opposed to a 'prisoners' rights' advocate. That said, I like to be informed from the perspectives on either side of the fence.
Ok. so, this book was alright, it was a lot more like... a text book with stories than a memoir itself. The author is still in jail and won't be out until 2013, and I guess even finishing a...more
Ok. so, this book was alright, it was a lot more like... a text book with stories than a memoir itself. The author is still in jail and won't be out until 2013, and I guess even finishing a...more
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Having read a few prison memoirs, this book didn't really bring anything new to the table. Michael Santos wants prisoners to be treated with more respect and less like animals. The only problem with his cause is that he shows exactly how these gang members have no respect for anyone but themselves and act like animals who strike out with violence at the slighest provication... sometimes to implied territory disputes. Does he really think that any of these "thugs" who are only about getting drug...more
interesting look at the US prison system, from an insider's perspective. the author was arrested in his early 20's on a non-violent drug charge, and was sentenced to 45 years in prison, despite having no prior record. over the years, he has served his time in maximum, low and minimum security prisons, obtained a master's degree, and was working toward a doctorate until his progress was stifled by unaccommodating wardens and corrections officers. he has since taken to writing about his experience...more
I have a weakness for a prison memoir. I volunteered several times at a federal penitentiary ten years ago and it made a huge impact on me. I always remember the victims, but the men I met moved me. Should someone go to jail for twenty years or more for a victimless crime? Is anyone ever rehabilitated from even a heinous crime? I have to believe in people's capacity for change. I think reform is needed. I think that people in prison who will be released should take relationship and parenting cla...more
Dec 04, 2009
Darcia Helle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
culture-sociology,
nonfiction
Michael Santos was arrested on a nonviolent drug charge during the 1980s, when our government was treating drug suppliers like terrorists. Santos had never been in trouble, had no violence or gun charges associated with the drug distrubution. Yet he was given a 45 year sentence to be served in the Federal prison system.
His journey began in a supermax prison, where he was housed with hardcore lifers, gangbangers, rapists, and men who murdered for pleasure. He was in his early 20s when his sentenc...more
His journey began in a supermax prison, where he was housed with hardcore lifers, gangbangers, rapists, and men who murdered for pleasure. He was in his early 20s when his sentenc...more
3 likes · like · see review
Michael Santos' writes about his incarceration in the federal justice system. It is a strong read, a rough ride, at times graphic, at times not graphic enough.
I got a lot of looks reading this book on the airplane. It's cover photo the back of an inmate in an orange jumpsuit his hands handcuffed together, his wristband ID under the cuffs caught a lot of people's eye. I don't recommend you carry it through airport security, or to you local courtroom.
I have a profound personal interest in the cr...more
I got a lot of looks reading this book on the airplane. It's cover photo the back of an inmate in an orange jumpsuit his hands handcuffed together, his wristband ID under the cuffs caught a lot of people's eye. I don't recommend you carry it through airport security, or to you local courtroom.
I have a profound personal interest in the cr...more
Inside offers a gritty, behind-the-walls look at life in the federal prison system. Santos details how weak prisoners learn to adapt and how strong prisoners exploit others including guards. He covers the gamut: Sex, drugs, gangs, violence.
The book is most successful in its documentary aspects. Though I found Santos' rendering of some of the prison argot a little cheesy, I have no doubt about its general accuracy.
Santos does less of a good job talking about his own experiences and choices insid...more
The book is most successful in its documentary aspects. Though I found Santos' rendering of some of the prison argot a little cheesy, I have no doubt about its general accuracy.
Santos does less of a good job talking about his own experiences and choices insid...more
I may not be giving this book enough credit because it was read after reading a remarkable book of the same genre (The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison), but I will say it is an interesting read if you are curious about prisoners and what they go through. I will say that I had to fast forward through a few parts when the slang and "realism" was overdone for my taste.
Fascinating glimpse into the American prison system. In my opinion, some of the writing was a little too slanted rather than factual but that's not surprising and while noteworthy, it didn't detract from my overall impression of the book (too much, anyway).
His insight on the things that drive inmates to do what they do is fairly accurate. He paints himself as an observer of the inmate culture and not a participant. His portrayal of the officers is yet again another book that inaccurately depicts officers as the stereotypical bullying corrupt brute.
This book was amazing. It goes in depth to what goes on behind bars. It's an objective portrayal of the prison system, as Santos examines both the hard core prisoners as well as the more docile and naive prisoners. He tells everyone's stories, and really gets to the core of the problems of the criminal justice system. There are so many problems that people don't realize that exist in this undocumented world. Once you're in the world of a prisoner, you lose all your basic human rights. Even if pe...more
Meh. Santos is in the Fed pen for 45 years, and opted to take the road of education and writing inside rather than violence. And then, he writes about all the violence and stuff all around him. The bad stuff is he has a slightly annoying writing style, and part of it is due to his using the prison vernacular/slang constantly. I admit, the stories just wouldn't sound right if he was all, "Pardon me, Crip High, but what the deuce are you doing with my heroin?" but it gets really annoying to read a...more
Interesting look at life inside the federal prison from an inmate's viewpoint. Nothing he included truly shocked me, unfortunately.
some interesting little accounts of what happens in prisons.
pretty nifty insight to what actually happens behind bars
Eye opener of the US Prison system
The author of this book is, as of the time of this review, incarcerated, and has been for the last decade, at least. The book is composed episodes from the jail/prison system and Santos' analysis of them. The author is necessarily forgiven for any omissions of what might normally be expected in semi-academic non-fiction--he is after all still in prison. The book offers invaluable insight into inner-city sociology. Also, copious graphic scenes make it very readable.
Excruciatingly honest account of life inside prison, in America.
Not a very insightful account of American prisons and after finishing the chapter detailing a rape scene I decided I didn't need to read anymore.
Michael Santos writes about his prison experience (he's serving hard time for drug offenses and is nearing the end of a long sentence) and the many ways in the which the prison system fails its prisoners.
This is a difficult read, partly due to the graphic subject matter (he's no-holds-barred). Santos makes a strong case for the rehabilitation of the system and I found myself outraged at times throughout the book. A very good read.
This is a difficult read, partly due to the graphic subject matter (he's no-holds-barred). Santos makes a strong case for the rehabilitation of the system and I found myself outraged at times throughout the book. A very good read.
I'm just wrapping up a morbid few weeks of prison books and prison shows. It's pretty fascinating stuff but pretty ugly.
This book was of the most interesting to date but that doesn't really make it good. The author is bright and articulate though and he has been in prison a long time so you do get the sense that it is real. The majority of these books are full of bragging and bs.
This book was of the most interesting to date but that doesn't really make it good. The author is bright and articulate though and he has been in prison a long time so you do get the sense that it is real. The majority of these books are full of bragging and bs.
I am currently reading the second chapter. As a member of law enforcement I wanted to get a more intimate glimpse of the "other side", I am not too impressed but will continue reading. I feel that the author is bashing law enforcement and putting his personal feeling into this book, which is fine but a turn off for someone who is in the field.
Liberals and conservatives alike should read more about our prison system and this book does a decent job of exposing its pitfalls as well as its place in society. It is not for the faint of heart...or stomach.
2 likes · like · see review
Dec 01, 2008
Sara Parker
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-punishment-forensics
An intriguing book about prison, written by an inmate. pretty depressing and startling. It makes you wonder why jails and prisons are called "corrections" facilities, when they do nothing of the sort.
Written by a guy who has been a convict in the federal prison system for over 20 years. I don't know that I learned anything I didn't already know. Interesting read, but certainly not groundbreaking.
Man's experience in prison and going through the criminal justice system. A nonviolent offender getting 20 years for a non violent offense. What a waste of federal penitentiary space.
A voyeuristic, yet credibly researched must-read. If you gain compassion for people in prison after reading this, consider joining the related Facebook group that I started.
This is a pretty interesting quick read if you have a morbid fascination with prisons that has been fed continuously over your life by driving past San Quentin daily.....
A fascinating and true look at the inside happenings in a variety of prison settings. Really makes you wonder what "corrections" means.
Jun 18, 2013
Guy
added it
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