Report: I discovered this book while working in the library at my unit. It details the journey of the author, Michael Santos, as he spends 26 years in prison. I chose to read this book because I’m currently an inmate myself and often struggle to get by and accept that I’m in prison. I wanted to see how someone was able to make it through lock up for an unfathomable amount of time. After reading the book, I learned that just because you are in prison, doesn’t mean you can’t make something of yourself. Santos used his time wisely, educating himself and even earning a living while inside. It gave me the notion that prison can be a time for growth. This book has inspired me to take advantage of the time I have here. I see now that I can learn essential skills while in Prison, like learning a new language or a trade skill. This will give me essential skills to utilize for the job search upon release. Another thing I learned while reading this book was that there is this awesome non-profit that helps inmates track their progress and helps with resources upon release. This will help keep me focused while locked up as well as help the transition when I am released.
