57 pages • 1 hour read
American Prison: A Reporter’s Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment
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Book Brief
368
Book • Nonfiction
Louisiana • 2010s
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
American Prison by Shane Bauer explores the private prison industry via Bauer's undercover experience as a corrections officer at Louisiana’s Winn prison, detailing profit-driven neglect and understaffing, and paralleling this with a historical examination of American convict labor's exploitative roots.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
13,188 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
American Prison by Shane Bauer is praised for its gripping and investigative journalism, offering a deep dive into the for-profit prison industry. Readers appreciate its compelling narrative and eye-opening insights. However, some critiques mention its intense and disturbing content, questioning its potential bias due to the author's activist background. Overall, it is a powerful exposé.
Who Should Read American Prison?
Readers who appreciated The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton will likely be captivated by American Prison. This book appeals to those interested in investigative journalism, social justice, and the complexities of the American penal system.
13,188 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Book • Nonfiction
Louisiana • 2010s
2018
Adult
18+ years
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