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
Terrell Don Hutto
Terrell Don Hutto
A cofounder of CCA, depicted as both a warm grandfather figure and a businessman deeply focused on the profits of incarceration.
Dave Bacle
Dave Bacle
An experienced prison staff member with mixed approaches to inmate interactions, often bending the rules for safety while criticizing the prison company.
Corner Store
Corner Store
A 37-year-old inmate with extensive prison experience and a reputation for helping younger inmates navigate the system.
Damien Coestly
Damien Coestly
An inmate with a disturbing backstory whose mental health struggles and suicide highlight systemic neglect in prison care.
Derik Johnson
Derik Johnson
An inmate known for his calm demeanor and insight, who possesses a dual nature that exemplifies the complexities of prison life.
Kenny
Kenny
A long-time officer at Winn who champions the business aspect of the prison, viewed by some inmates as rigid and condescending.
368
Book • Nonfiction
Louisiana • 2010s
2018
Adult
18+ years
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