Author’s Name:

Zeke Caligiuri et al.

Bok Title:

American Precariat – Parables of Exclusion, Copyright 2023

Why I Read American Precariat:

It’s a book of essays of a special relationship of Coffee House Press and the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop( MPWW). This book is part of the books that have been sent into me, from my mailout project. I am thankful for the support of those I have written to for material.

What I earned from reading American Precariat:

The project started with a small group over 20 years ago. The group lasted for a year and half and was shut down after a long Education shutdown and budget cuts it was able to restart again. It restarted with a few of those who started the group and a new wave of writers. Again like all good things, the program was cancelled in 2005. The whole Education department was completely shut down and all computers and equipment was removed. Some of the members where able to write on their own with help from the outside. They struggled through the pandemic and was able to return shortly after. Once again after finding it’s purpose, it was frozen indefinitely. It continued till way after he world started returning to normal. They were able to work together with little help from the Prison system, and now they have completed this book.

How Reading American Precariat will Contribute to my Success upon my Release:

The system wasn’t always there for these Adults in Custody in Minnesota. They did what they could, with little support and with the help of outside sources and with their support was able to complete the project they put their mind to. By reading the stories of others and the hardships they had to go through. It gives one the thought process to work harder to take down the Prison Nation. if not to insure what is provided, like Educational support, is provided everywhere.

Author’s Name:

Benjamin D. Weber

Book Title:

American Purgatory – Prison Imperialism and the Rise of Mass Incarceration’s. Copyright 2023

Why I Read American Purgatory:

This is another book that was sent into me, that I am truly grateful for, from my mailout project. This book covers a vast history going back to the early 1800’s to present day. It covers a wide aspect of the mass incarceration in the United States and it’s Territories.

What I Learned from Reading American Purgatory:

The history of the Prison Nation and the Prison Industrial Complex, has some major roots. After the Civil War proposals for a Nation Penal Colony became particularly forceful. The Constitution’s Commerce Clause tasked federal marshals with enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act. In 1870 the Nation Prison Congress was formed in the United States. They took a leading role in organizing the inaugural meeting of the International Penitentiary Congress in London in 1872. At one time there was talk of creating United States’ penal colonies, one in Alaska for males and the other in Hawaii for females.

How Reading American Purgatory will Contribute to my Success upon my Release:

To know the background and history of the Prison Nation and the Prison Industrial Complex , one must study and to obtain the knowledge of how the system was created. It took years to build and in most cases not properly built. It’s not the walls and fencing wasn’t built right, it’s the mindset and management of Prison Nation that is broken. Take for example the Federal Women’s prison in California. The internal conflict of the US Courts and the Bureau of Prisons. The Courts put in a special master to control the prison. The Bureau doesn’t like that, so they just close it and relocate 100’s of west coast female Adults in Custody nationwide. Who can Jump the Highest??

Why I Read Locked Down, Locked Out:

With my career path of Prison Reform Consulting. The history as well as current and future of the Prison Industrial Complex will only aid in my knowledge. This book was sent in from one of my mailout request. Which I am truly grateful for the material.

What I Learned from Reading Locked Down, Locked Out:

The author covers the journey of a family member of theirs through the prison system. She also cover others with in the system and those trying to take down the system. Some of the terms I learned will help in my education of the systems. What can be changed from the inside looking out and from the outside looking in. Here are a few of the terms from this book;

Prison Nation: “Simply to demonstrate the system’s vastness”.

Prison Industrial Complex: “The symbiotic relationship between public and private interest that employ imprisonment, policing, surveillance, the courts and their attendant cultural apparatuses as a means of maintaining social, economic, political inequities.”

Incarcerate and Decarcerate: “The word incarcerate stems from the same root as the word “cancel”: Both means to cross something, or someone, out (whether with bars, or lines, or actions). Decarcerte, then, is also a movement towards un-canceling people – not just fighting for their release, but recognizing and supporting their humanity.”

Remorse: “The role of remorse in court is often simply just that – a “role” that’s played by defendants, coached by their lawyers once they’re entering a guilty plea, in order to appeal to the judge or jury for a mitigated sentence, or to appeal to parole board who may cruelly deny release based on a perceived “lack of remorse”.”

The struggle to end the Prison nation or to even take own the Prison Industrial Complex, it’s not an isolated fight. It will take involvement through the states and within the federal system. Cultures have to be changed and investments within the system need to be refocused to assist with the needed changes.

How Reading Locked Down, Locked Out will Contribute to my Success upon my Release:

It’s giving me more of the back story of the Prison Nation and Prison Industrial Complex. One thing I’ve learned was a catchy phrase from a speech in 2012 by Glenn E,, Martin founder of JustLeadershipUSA, “And Then What”. So what is the next step? It’s a long road, that in most cases doesn’t end positively. Part of this book Maya Schenwar complied a Resources Section of some great work by folks who have started confronting the Prison Industrial Complex. I will be complying my own list of reading material. This will give me a different point of view and insight, to learn from others in the history of the Prison Nation and the Prison Industrial Complex.

Why I Read 99 Days & A Get Up: It was provide to me on loan from the Re-Entry Department.

What I Learned from Reading 99 Days & A Get Up: That no matter what year or by whomever written. Any type of Pre or Post release books can always be a tool for the toolbox. It’s also a step for creating the release plan. This book was written in 1987 and 1988 and the verbiage reflects it. Thinking back then did we really talk and used words they used in the book. The book is broken down into 3 major parts; For Ex-Prisoners the day of Release, For the Loved Ones Who Waited, and for everyone following Release. You do have to keep in mind, you might be the only one who has completed a journey during this time period. Everyone has changed, expect shock and confusion. Share your thoughts and feelings, have that open lines of communications between you and your loved ones. It will be different again when it’s face to face outside of that visiting room visit or those phone calls. Be patient, everything didn’t move fast on the inside don’t expect it to move fast when released.

How Reading 99 Days & A Get Up Will Contribute to My Success Upon My Release: It’s a tool along with all the other tools I’m putting together in my toolbox. It’s all of the steps needed to become a better person upon my release. Everything I’ve learned and pick-up along the way of my journey to being released. It will prepare me for the rejections and disappointments that will be waiting for me on the outside. What I learn now will be critical to everyone. Being patient and persistent will help keeping my ego in check, and give me the understanding of my feelings as well as my loved ones. Change happens daily and it will take time working with others to keep my life on a positive track. If things are not working as planned, seek the help that is out there and don’t do it alone or expect it to work itself out, it won’t. Your life will travel down that wrong road again. You might of been younger your 1st times in, getting older each time you return to prison I not worth it. Make the positive changes is better in the long run for you and your loved one.