Decades Behind Bars [eBook - Biblioboard] : a 20-Year Conversation with Men in America's Prisons

Acknowledgments -- Preface -- Introduction -- "I'm weary all the time" : an introduction to the men -- "Gnaws at your heart like a worm" : the emotional impact of incarceration -- In the belly of the beast : entering prison -- On the yard : day-to-day life in prison -- In the lion's mouth : crime and rule-breaking within the walls -- Power, respect and the convict code : surviving behind bars -- The past that clings to them : scars of child abuse and neglect -- Desperate connections : family ties -- Two sides of a coin : the man and his crime -- Searching for blue skies : religion behind bars -- The long wait : the parole process -- End of the journey : illness and death in prison -- The patterns of change : results of the study and suggestions for improvement -- The conversation begins : current status of inmate subjects -- Glossary of prison terminology -- Chapter notes -- Bibliography -- Index.;"Beginning in 1994, the author began recording stories of 50 incarcerated felons--17 of them were still in prison 20 years later. The men discuss what it means to commit a serious crime and be confined. The author identifies circumstances that ruin some prisoners and save others and presents insights for possible improvements in the criminal justice system"-- Beginning In 1994, The Author Began Recording Stories Of 50 Incarcerated Felons--17 Of Them Were Still In Prison 20 Years Later. The Men Discuss What It Means To Commit A Serious Crime And Be Confined. The Author Identifies Circumstances That Ruin Some Prisoners And Save Others And Presents Insights For Possible Improvements In The Criminal Justice System-- Acknowledgments -- Preface -- Introduction -- I'm Weary All The Time : An Introduction To The Men -- Gnaws At Your Heart Like A Worm : The Emotional Impact Of Incarceration -- In The Belly Of The Beast : Entering Prison -- On The Yard : Day-to-day Life In Prison -- In The Lion's Mouth : Crime And Rule-breaking Within The Walls -- Power, Respect And The Convict Code : Surviving Behind Bars -- The Past That Clings To Them : Scars Of Child Abuse And Neglect -- Desperate Connections : Family Ties -- Two Sides Of A Coin : The Man And His Crime -- Searching For Blue Skies : Religion Behind Bars -- The Long Wait : The Parole Process -- End Of The Journey : Illness And Death In Prison -- The Patterns Of Change : Results Of The Study And Suggestions For Improvement -- The Conversation Begins : Current Status Of Inmate Subjects -- Glossary Of Prison Terminology -- Chapter Notes -- Bibliography -- Index. Gaye D. Holman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. More than two million people are incarcerated in America's prisons--one in nine is serving a life sentence. Mass long-term imprisonment devours state budgets, adversely affects community well-being and skews our collective moral compass. This study examines the human costs of keeping the convicted out of sight, out of mind. Beginning in 1994, the author began recording the personal stories of 50 incarcerated felons--17 of them were still in prison 20 years later. The men candidly discuss what it means to commit a serious crime and to be confined for perhaps the remainder of their lives. Their stories are balanced by conversations with correctional officers, prison administrators, chaplains and parole board members. The author identifies circumstances that ruin some prisoners and save others and presents insights for possible improvements in the criminal justice system. Acknowledgments Preface Introduction "I'm weary all the time" : an introduction to the men "Gnaws at your heart like a worm" : the emotional impact of incarceration In the belly of the beast : entering prison On the yard : day-to-day life in prison In the lion's mouth : crime and rule-breaking within the walls Power, respect and the convict code : surviving behind bars The past that clings to them : scars of child abuse and neglect Desperate connections : family ties Two sides of a coin : the man and his crime Searching for blue skies : religion behind bars The long wait : the parole process End of the journey : illness and death in prison The patterns of change : results of the study and suggestions for improvement Conclusion: the conversation begins : current status of inmate subjects Glossary of prison terminology Chapter notes Bibliography Index. More than two million people are incarcerated in America's prisons - one in nine is serving a life sentence. Mass long-term imprisonment devours state budgets, adversely affects community well-being and skews our collective moral compass. This study examines the human costs of keeping the convicted out of sight, out of mind.