The View from Inside: Prison Time Doesn’t Equal Justice

Published April 05, 2009 @ 07:08AM PT

I received a peculiar message through my site, prisonnewsblog.com, from a retired prison warden. After retiring from corrections, the former warden became a professor of criminal justice. He used a book I wrote as a supplemental text to help his students understand confinement from the perspective of prisoners.

In his message, the professor expressed that I “should have been released from prison at the 20-year mark.” He went on to write that I had “accomplished and contributed more than most in the incarceration business but that the system couldn’t let inmates feel that way.”

As I read the message, I realized that the professor meant to convey a compliment, or support. Although I appreciated the gesture, the message saddened me. The professor believed that justice required me to serve 20 years in prison. I felt disheartened by the candid, insider scoop that validated my personal experiences and observations: that those in corrections work to extinguish rather than encourage hope.

What significance did 20 years have? From my perspective, we need to reevaluate this misguided concept of justice that only recognizes time. Ours is a society that strives toward enlightenment, yet we incarcerate more people per capita than any other nation.

The time has long since come for America to change this system. Recidivism rates show its ineffectiveness, and statistics show how costly it is to operate. Who benefits from a criminal justice system that measures justice only through the turning of calendar pages? Society does not.

Those businesses that provide goods and services to our nation’s prison system want long-term imprisonment to continue. The success of those organizations depends upon high prison expenditures. To further the growth, some of those unscrupulous prison operators even bribe judges to send more people to prison. Believing the prison industrial complex wants to see reforms that would lead to a more effective prison system is akin to believing that tobacco companies want to see people stop smoking.

I propose that we stop relying upon the turning of calendar pages to measure justice. A far more effective corrections system would measure justice by the efforts an offender makes to reconcile with society. Such a system would require a fundamental reform. It would have far-reaching benefits to American citizens, though it would present an anathema to prison lobbyists.

This new type of corrections system would encourage all offenders to work toward earning freedom through merit. Rather than succumbing to the pernicious influences of the penitentiary, prisoners would feel motivated to contemplate steps that might redeem their crimes. Through positive prison adjustments, more prisoners would prepare for law-abiding lives. We as a society should rely upon our collective wisdom to encourage such adjustments. Warehousing humanity doesn’t reduce crime. Education reduces crime.

We have ample opportunities to review results from a corrections system that fails to correct. High recidivism rates suggest that the longer society exposes an individual to corrections, the less likely the prisoner becomes to function as a law-abiding citizen upon release.

The former warden makes the case. He wrote that the corrections system, as a matter of policy, does not encourage inmates to accomplish or contribute. This reality offers compelling insight that validates what millions of prisoners experience every day. Prisons extinguish hope. It represents but one of the reasons that measuring justice only through the turning of calendar pages breeds costly and continuing cycles of failure.

In my next article, I will describe the manner of my own adjustment through more than 21 years of continuous imprisonment. That journey has carried me through prisons of every security level, from United States penitentiaries to minimum-security prison camps. I’ve served my entire adult life in prison for drug crimes that involved consenting adults, without weapons or violence. Today’s justice, however, requires that I serve several more years. We need change.

Read Michael Santos' previous post here.

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Comments (25)

Is there any buzz being generated concerning the BOP and the Second Chance Act?

Considering that the Act calls for each prisoner to be considered for up to one year of halfway house time AND 10% of their sentence (up to 6 months) for home confinement, yet the BOP is pretty much giving everyone a combined 6 months halfway house and home confinement, they are holding THOUSANDS of Federal prisoners for a FULL YEAR longer than they need to.

With prison overcrowding and Draconian sentencing this is really an insult to Congress and the Office of the Presidency as well as prisoner abuse and a huge waste of money.

Make some noise about this and let me know what else is being said on this issue.

Harold Baranoff

Jesup GA Federal Prison Work Camp

Posted by Zvi Baranoff on 04/06/2009 @ 07:59PM PT
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Michael Santos captured my imagination and attention with this article. Clearly this man has a incredible idea whose time has come. There is a climate of change and the justice system clearly needs revamping like every system operating in this country.... that has gotten off target... THANK YOU, Michael for sharing your true experience in an articulate and compelling way. I envision you a free man already!

Posted by Marijane Mercer on 04/10/2009 @ 06:57AM PT
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Punishment feels good but it accomplishes very little for adults. And we must stop treating adults like children. California releases every prisoner to parole. But not everyone needs to be monitored. Furthermore if 70% reoffend in 3 years of release the other 30% don't need to be monitored. We can cut this problem in half if we offer CLEMENCY (yes a clean record) to the released inmate if he or she does not reoffend in 3 years. Now I'm not dumb enough to suggest a clean record to sex offenders but the concept of a clean record is an incentive that I would work hard to earn. Too many ex-cons say "No one will hire me with my record." Give this opportunity to all NONVIOLENT inmates plus well funded rehabilitation programs and you will cut the prison population in half. And we can better monitor violent parolees like Lovelle Mixon who killed four Oakland California policemen. Because the nonviolent that is released will be too busy working on a second chance. I have created a new clemency system that even goes further. Michael Santos could have been elidgable for clemency under this new clemency system. Though I call California Clemency (web search it) it can be modified for any state as well as the federal system.

Posted by Allen Jones on 04/10/2009 @ 10:55AM PT
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Mr. Jones,

I was drawn to this discussion by the flavor of the merit of actions being of value.

I appreciate your reference of treating inmates as children. How shall society treat miscreants, regardless of their age?

I believe that if we apply your philosophy to our Government run school system that we may greatly diminish the problems attributed to our government run penal system!

After all, don't we merely require the children to spend time in the government educational system for X years? I have a Brother-in law who is an Assistant Principle in a High School, responsible for discipline, who loves fire drills, because he knows that the problem kids will not come back into the building after the drill is over. The problem begins long before a man is sentenced because our government adult penal system kicks in.

We might consider eliminating the U.S. Dept. of Education and handing oversight to the JUstice Department.

Posted by john hird on 04/11/2009 @ 07:28AM PT
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Why not some sex offenders too? Yes, some sex offenders are rapist or pedophiles that need to be more closely monitored, but others do not. Several states classify sex offenders based on risk levels, those on the lowest risk levels should be eligible also. Examples of this might include an adult who had consentual sex with a 17 year old, or someone convicted of lewdness for streaking at a party. They might have both been bad choices, but I don't see why they should not be eligible and someone selling drugs should be.

I also think clemency, or completely wiping a record clean, could be a mistake as soon as 3 years. It might be appropriate at that time to seal the record, which leaves it available to see to the police and some licencing boards. Then after a longer period, maybe a length of time from 5-20 years depending on the crime, it could be completely cleaned off to all but the police.

Posted by M C on 07/03/2009 @ 11:51PM PT
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I recently read an article about a prison warden in (I think it was) Arizona who has made positive incarceration changes like no smoking, no tv except for the Disney channel and the Weather channel. The prisoners grow their own vegetables and have taken over the care of the animal shelter in the area with positive results. These are two examples of real world skills that could be put to use after serving their sentence. They all wear pink prison uniforms and live in what's been called "tent city" which is unbelievably hot during the summer. Remembering that right now, our troops wear full gear in much hotter weather, the warden says "If you don't like it, don't come back". I think that if we have to have prisons, they should not have luxuries and we should give people a chance to redeem themselves while offering the community some type of needed services. There are too many non violent offenders that have "learned" to be career offenders because of the current system.

Posted by Mikal Brutzman on 04/10/2009 @ 11:32AM PT
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I agree 100 percent. We should focus on rehabilitation NOT time. And, big surprise that yet ANOTHER American institution is driven by unethical profit seekers instead of being driven by the just welfare of the people its meant to support.

Posted by Laura McNamara on 04/10/2009 @ 03:58PM PT
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To add to that, there was an EXCELLENT quote in the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. The book is Roberts memoir... a true story about being an escaped fugitive who finds himself living in Bombay, India. He also gets tangled up with the prison there in Mumbai as well and the account sheds intriguing insight on prisons, India and mafia. I HIGHLY recommend the book - one of my ALL-TIME favorites.

Anway, to the point. There's a quote in that book that says what's being discussed here oh so eloquently:

"Justice is judgment that is both fair and forgiving. Justice is not done until everyone is satisfied, even those who offend us. Justice is not only the way we punish those who do wrong but is also the way we try to save them."

And another related quote that I loved from the book:

The truth is there are no good men or bad men. The deeds have goodness or badness in them. There are good deeds and bad deeds. Men are just men- it is what they do or refuse to do that link them to good or evil.

"The truth is that an instant of real love, in the heart of any one- the noblest man alive or the most wicked – has the whole purpose, process, and meaning of life within the lotus folds of its passion."

Posted by Laura McNamara on 04/10/2009 @ 04:08PM PT
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whoa that last post went funky... probably because formatting was included in my copy and paste.

Posted by Laura McNamara on 04/10/2009 @ 04:09PM PT
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This is the best proposal I have heard in many years for prison reform. It clearly goes along with all the best knowledge we have about positive psychology,the difficulty in it;s implementation is getting people outside the system to think in a different perspective about criminal offenders.I hope legalizing the marijuana laws will open up a more intelligent dialogue encompassing the entirety of the prison system and give those in charge a rethink. L. Fux

Posted by lynn fux on 04/10/2009 @ 04:45PM PT
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I think the system does need fundamental changes as it stands right now. My state, Oregon, has become one of the worst in the US with the changes that were made via ballot measures in the past 10-12 years. That coupled with budget problems and cuts to almost every possible program has made rehabilitation more difficult.

As Mr. Santos says, you can't lock people up indefinitely. Certainly you can't expect those people to function worth a damn on the outside when they are released after being locked up for 10 years or more.

I know a number of people who have served time including a few who are currently in prison. When they are released, they will have a tough road ahead. I'd like to see more people working to support and help those who are actually want to rejoin society. My argument has always been, it's better for them to be working and paying taxes, then locked up and using them.

Posted by David English on 04/11/2009 @ 01:49AM PT
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MY TAKE STOP THE MADNESS

The Criminal Justice system today in America falls way down on the ladder of doing what should be done to protect us from the lawless.

The one stop cure for all of the woes that is laid on the Criminal Justice System to try to do while many of us paying high taxes that just get flushed down the throats of those many tied into that system to make profits is more than obvious but may be a hard thing to do.

I will not restate the present horrible state that all the jails and prisons are in but just go on to lay out a simple plan that will work.

Many reading do not have a clue how the Criminal Justice System works. Here goes:
If one is charged with a felony crime their case must go before a grand jury.Then it is left up to the Grand Jury to proceed with prosecution or not.

NOW LET US JUST STOP RIGHT THERE.

Make it law that all charged with felony crimes be tested by a MD Psychiatrist in the day long testing that identifies who that person is. And then a short maybe 15 to 20 minute meeting with the MD Psychiatrist for his/her overall purview review and interview with that client. Now go back up to the Grand Jury stage and let us just for example plug in the MD Psychiatrist opinions for the DA prosecutors to know first hand the kind of person they are charge with to bring about sentence for the crime committed.

NOW LET US TRY TO REASON TOGETHER

The most insidious lawless folks around today are the sociopaths. They have most of the games in life figured out where their cons are run on everyone. They see all of us in a civil society just ones at their disposal to take and never give back, and that can be a minor theft to grand larceny to physical abuse, to killing. Those are the folks that once in our custody we need to keep as long as the laws allows. All others charged with felony crimes must be looked at through another lens. We should insist the shortest sentence been levied against them, while they are learning how to get along with being lawful. Then returned back to society as quickly as possible to stay under a harder purview and review process by our parole board workers.

NOW FOLKS THAT IS THE SURE FIRED QUICK FIX to our broken down Criminal Justice System.

Dwight Baker We The Peoples Advocacy WTPA

Co founder Bondservants of Christ Jesus Ministries work here in the USA and the DR Congo

More info contact Dabker007@stx.rr.com

Posted by DWIGHT BAKER on 04/11/2009 @ 05:10AM PT
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How about we look at justice from the perspective of those who are harmed -- the victims and the taxpayers who foot the bill -- and not give a damn about those who choose to offend? I say we rewrite the entire code and make it more law-abiding-citizen friendly.

1. One murder and we take you out back and hang you reduce recidivism, provides justice to the family, and saves the tax payer money. It's violates the Christian concept of forgiveness, but since we separated church and state, I'm good with it.

2. You rape or otherwise cause intentional harm to a child under the age of 15 and/or senior over the age of 70 and you forfeit all right to life. The world is crowded enough and your mother should have aborted you in vitro.

3. You steal, we cut off your hand. You steal again, we cut off your other hand. Hey, that's only two strikes. Works for me.

Why should I allow you -- a criminal who got a free ride for 10 years and a free education -- into my workplace? I had to follow the rules, pay for my own education, and earn the right to be here.

If America would "cowboy up" and start putting a few more bad guys in the ground quicker, that would also reduce prison incarceration rates.

That's a Change I can believe in!

Posted by Grey Wolfe on 04/11/2009 @ 06:34AM PT
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Um...that's pretty medieval, don't you think? I agree that sexual offenders and murderers should be punished, but life in prison seems sufficient, especially since the justice system is not fool-proof, and we might wind up killing the wrong person. And cuting off hands? Are we in the Middle East and I didn't realize it? I believe that's classified as cruel and unusual punishment, and therefore illegal in the USA.

Maybe our prisons would be less crowded and our national debt much lower if we didn't incarcerate non-violent offenders, and instead made them pay huge fines. If they don't pay, then jail them. But give people an opportunity to avoid incarceration for ridiculous things like smoking pot. Does the teen nextdoor who lights a joint really deserve to be in the same place as a fully grown adult predator who molests little kids?

Posted by Meredith Donahue on 04/17/2009 @ 08:18PM PT
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I agree with part of that, they shouldn't juar get a "free ride for 10 years and free education." Which is why allowing them to be out and pay for their own education and treatment would work better in so many cases. There are punishments other than imprisonment that are more fair to society.

If they are not violent or a threat, let them work and pay for their own housing, food, etc. The point is to protect society, and prison is not the best way to do that. Several studies have shown that intermidiate sanctions are more effective at reducing recidivism, therefore offering more protection to society than imprisonment does - and it's cheaper.

Posted by M C on 07/06/2009 @ 06:29PM PT
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Lest you think I'm sanctimonious, several of my uncles, cousins and friends have spent long stretches of time in major prisons including Rikers (NY), Hagerstown (MD), and outside Philly (PA) for crimes including murder (1 uncle, 3 cousins), rape (1 cousin, also incarcerated for murder) and drug dealing (cocaine). Hell, if that had locked my brother up for vehicular

I was appalled when these people were released into the unsuspecting society because they had served their time, and I firmly believe that under the right circumstances, they will choose to rape and murder again, especially the murdering/ raping piece of scum who was "saved' in prison. Give me a break! He's so saved he should be happy to take it up with Jesus, in my humble opinion. The coke dealer was selling drugs out of his studio and I was there teaching a class of 35 children ages 6-9 when the DEA burst in to arrest him, which was quite traumatic to the children. Now, he's back teaching children again.

We need change alright. We need harsher penalties. Justice should be swift, certain, and fair. An eye for an eye. If I can't see, why should you?

Posted by Grey Wolfe on 04/11/2009 @ 06:51AM PT
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Greg, honestly, I found what you wrote disturbing, especially your first comment. Why is taking one man's life in the "name of justice" any different than legal murder? I understand your fury, a very close relative of mine has been sexually assaulted by another close relative. And, you'd be surprised by the MAJORITY of women who've been raped - and NEVER talk about it because they feel humiliated, unempowered, disgraced. But, hate the deed not the person. Have these people done NOTHING in their life save evil? Haven't you ever done anything horrible that you sincerely wish you hadn't... even if you repeated that horrible dead out of extremem weakness? Men who succumb to evil are weak but I can't believe they so are lost to evil that I should be a codemning authority - I who have committed my own evils even though society . Thank God, literally, that justice hasn't been served to me as mercilessly and harshly. While I haven't ever done anything "illegal" - save the ocassional speeding ticket - I have committed my own evils...

I have a GREAT friend who used to be a crack addict. I don't think I could even imagine the evils he might have committed while strung up on that drug. But, I met him afterwards. After he BEAT it. And he's a gem! He's one of the most giving, spirited people I've come across in my life (and I've traveled to about 20 countries in my young 20-something years - I haven't been EVERYWHERE but I've certainly ventured out of my tiny sphere of comfort.) The people that meet him actually go up to him and comment on how he's such light in their lives - hard, tough guys even. It's incredible! He's made a complete turn-around. I trusted him on several ocassions with my life and he came out like a cavalier. People, even those who succumb to the worst of life's evil deeds, CAN be WHOLE-HEARTEDLY rehabilitated.

Posted by Laura McNamara on 04/11/2009 @ 09:25AM PT
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I will add this though: as we strongly urge for reformation and rehabilitation of the prison system and the criminal justice system WE MUST also consider victims. There's no question that many victims face the horrors of the offense committed against them for the rest of their lives with NO HELP WHATSOEVER from the "systems." It is enraging to think that perpetrators are housed, fed and more while "serving time" and victims never receive a so much as a nod from the "systems." As we consider rehabilitating the prison system and the criminal justic system we MUST include care, support and help for the victims.

Posted by Laura McNamara on 04/11/2009 @ 09:43AM PT
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As a victim, I would be more comforted knowing that the offender was receiving treatment than just having to think that he was sitting in prison, learning nothing good, and getting out soon the same person as he was before. I might also want a GPS tracker on him or something while he's finishing treatment, but most can control themselves outside of prison. Save prison for the ones who honestly need it. Let the others pay for their own housing, food, treatment, and possibly even restitution - which they would not be able to do from prison.

Posted by M C on 07/06/2009 @ 06:34PM PT
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As a wife of a recently sentenced inmate I would like to say who is the victim.My husband was sentenced to 8 years in prison in for embezeling money from the company in which he was employed.This was his second offence and his first time receiving treatment for the serious gambeling addiction he has. After a year of therapy,inpatient treatment and attending gambelors annoymous meeting 2-3X's weelky and making great progress towards recovery and also making a difference to others headed down the same path by doing outreach and speaking. The judge choose not to take any of that into consideration and gave him an upward sentence doubleing his sentence, "Just to send a message to white collare criminals" This is a man who has taken responsibility for his actions,is working on bettering him self and has changed caree paths and was making money to pay his full restitution. The system threw him in prision for longer than the guidlines,took an other wise good man with a serious problem, a good father of three young children a man who was contributing to society and paying taxes,making money to pay his debt and actually being held accontable for the problems he created. His children ,the other victims were left with out a father and in poor finicial condition, nobody cares about that.There is a difference between those that are truley a danger and thoses that are in need of help. Where he is there is no treatment for gamblers, he just sits around reading,watching t.v,working out,playing video games,working small jobs and eating good meals. I on the other hand the wife left behind to deal with all the other problems he has created,including raising the children alone. Who wins, not the tax payers,not the family or even the company he took the money from. In my opinion the person who gets the eaisest way out is the person who committed the crime. There needs to be change!!

Posted by Linda Sauve on 07/12/2009 @ 02:48PM PT
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TO GET A CLEAR VIEW ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Many times offenders are sent to prison for crimes against the STATE. Not against each other. My experience is that over 70% in prisons today throughout the USA are there for crimes against the STATE. IE:
Drug violationsDUI’sPublic intoxicationAnd the list goes on

Now MY TAKE on those whose crimes are against the STATE is making career offenders by shutting down those many folks growth in all acts of being a sane and sound human. Denying them the rights to life in all ways. From sexual, proper rest, nutrition, proper redress to crimes commented against them from prison guards etc. to not having sufficient counsel to represent them in court. For again many of those locked away for crimes committed against the STATE were represented by court appointed attorneys the worst of the worst scum sucking pigs in our society.

Dwight Baker Chairman of the Grass Roots Actions needed for

We The Peoples Advocacy WTPA

Co founder Bondservants of Christ Jesus Ministries serving the USA and the DR CONGO

For more info contact dbaker007@stx.rr.com

Posted by DWIGHT BAKER on 04/11/2009 @ 10:07AM PT
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TO GET A CLEAR VIEW ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM #2

To take another stance in defense of the many in prison today from crimes against the STATE. In my opinion form study and hands on experience the many young men and women especially with children their growth in all areas needed for training of the super ego to have the power to rule over their out of sorts ego has NO way to be stimulated towards growth while held in the Criminal Justice System.

The crimes against them while in PRISON as just being human while in the hands of the STATE are the cruelest of cruel. And without going and visiting on visitors day and seeing the horrible situations those incarcerated feel and react too when holding their young or being overwhelmed with grief seeing their father mothers, brothers sisters, is a blow to anyone sane innate conscience. And in many cases than NOT many needing mental heath diagnosis and care are sent to prison as the last resort for crimes committed against the STATE. Sincere mental health care for our impoverished is a root cause why so many of our young are in prison today. GOD FORBIDS.

Dwight Baker Chairman of the Grass Roots Actions needed for

We The Peoples Advocacy WTPA

Co founder Bondservants of Christ Jesus Ministries serving the USA and the DR CONGO

For more info contact dbaker007@stx.rr.com

Posted by DWIGHT BAKER on 04/11/2009 @ 10:28AM PT
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JOIN IN with your voice to be heard by becoming just one of the advocates for lucidity in human rights to be forced upon the Criminal Justice System to be done in your state.

First learn the rights all of US in human need to be civil and respond too humane needs of others. My suggestion is get a good book and study. Try this one UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGY by Robert S. Feldman ISBN 0-07-289146-7 you will find the book to be a great teaching guide loaded with good resource information for just day in and day out living. Many of the myths that have been told will be dispelled and to that end growth for you and others around will become a matter of great debate, which is always needed. Some one is going to take the lead why not it be you?

Example:

While deeply entrenched in the parole process in Texas for one of our group, Texas parole made many errors that they were unwilling to admit. Thus with the proof of one being informed giant strides were made in the barrage of letters, faxes in defense of loved one and in doing many of the BIG BOSSES we got their attention and even some in the Political realm here to get to the bottom and get things fixed. It worked and they regressed and did it again and parole was granted as should have been all along. IN Another case where cruel mental heath practices were done again the sword of justice was lunged at the Criminal Justice Division and at the end many were fired or moved and the hate, scorn grief of those in the unit were finally brought to a halt.

Now for a couple of good quote from the past but sure belongs in this forum for thought

Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong, which will be imposed on them.

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

By Fredrick Douglas 1818 ----- 1885

Last if you have time read Matthew Chapter 25

Dwight Baker Chairman of the Grass Roots Actions needed for

We The Peoples Advocacy WTPA

Co founder Bondservants of Christ Jesus Ministries serving the USA and the DR CONGO

Our prison ministry has the answers and we welcome your question

For more info contact dbaker007@stx.rr.com

Posted by DWIGHT BAKER on 04/11/2009 @ 11:03AM PT
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I think our prison system and our country in general would be better of if non-violent crimes (DUI where nobody's hurt, minor drug offenses, public intoxication, etc.) had the option of paying a huge fine or doing a LOT of community service we'd save a ton on prison costs, make some money on fines, and get some public services done for free by potential inmates. The only people who really need to be jailed are those who are a threat to the community: murderers, sociopaths, child molesters/abusers, elder abusers, terrorists, those who have committed hate crimes, torturers (whether the victim is human, feline, canine, whatever).

Posted by Meredith Donahue on 04/17/2009 @ 08:32PM PT
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NOW LET US JUST STOP RIGHT THERE.

Make it law that all charged with felony crimes be tested by a MD Psychiatrist in the day long testing that identifies who that person is. And then a short maybe 15 to 20 minute meeting with the MD Psychiatrist for his/her overall purview review and interview with that client. Now go back up to the Grand Jury stage and let us just for example plug in the MD Psychiatrist opinions for the DA prosecutors to know first hand the kind of person they are charge with to bring about sentence for the crime committed.

NOW LET US TRY TO REASON TOGETHER

The most insidious lawless folks around today are the sociopaths. They have most of the games in life figured out where their cons are run on everyone. They see all of us in a civil society just ones at their disposal to take and never give back, and that can be a minor theft to grand larceny to physical abuse, to killing. Those are the folks that once in our custody we need to keep as long as the laws allows. All others charged with felony crimes must be looked at through another lens. We should insist the shortest sentence been levied against them, while they are learning how to get along with being lawful. Then returned back to society as quickly as possible to stay under a harder purview and review process by our parole board workers.

Many that we adovacted for needed the STATES help with their many problems such as family abuse, mental health issues etc. Large fines and community service are good but that alone is not the fix please read above.

Dwight Baker

Posted by DWIGHT BAKER on 04/18/2009 @ 04:52AM PT
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Author

Michael G. Santos has been incarcerated since 1987. He has earned an undergraduate and a graduate degree during his confinement, and he contributes to society through his writings about prisons, the people they hold, and strategies for growing through confinement. His daily entries are at prisonnewsblog.com.