Total Confinement: Madness and Reason in the Maximum Security Prison Book

I didn't enjoy this book.

I feel strange rating it a two, because it's hard to say why--Lorna Rhodes is well-educated and organized and she clearly put an immense amount of time into this book. To me, the book read like a 200 + page essay. She made a strong thesis in the beginning, she outlined what she was about to discuss (in detail), and then she moved into her "paper". I liked reading the comments from prison workers and inmates, though the theme of "this place makes you crazy," and "the prisoners can't be trusted" was a bit repetitive. It seemed like I fell deeper into the sad, somewhat secret reality of prison life, but I felt like I was being hit with the same information. Rhodes also likes to analyze what she hears from staff/prisoners, and I would have rather just read about what happens there and made my own conclusions. Her lean was too direct for enjoyable reading, especially in the beginning--again, like an essay.

I did like the last chapter on prison reform and reading the thoughts of the new administrator, Larson. I think his ability to listen to the inmates and have hope for them is beautiful. I don't consider myself naive about it, though some would disagree, but I do believe in giving people a chance. Larson was so interesting and thoughtful.

Other than that, I was really glad to find that the last large section of the book was the bibliography/notes section. I appreciate Rhodes for her research and time.