What's Prison For?

Punishment and Rehabilitation in the Age of Mass Incarceration (Columbia Global Reports)

By: Bill Keller

Narrated by: Landon Woodson

What's Prison For? examines the “incarceration” part of mass incarceration. Our prisons remain a shameful waste of lives and money, feeding a pathological cycle of poverty, community dysfunction, crime and hopelessness. What is the alternative? This book makes the case for better rehabilitation and examines attempts to assure that people return from prison better equipped than when they arrived for the challenges life presents.

©2022 Bill Keller (P)2022 Random House Audio

A must read! Review of "What's Prison For?" by Bill Keller

"What's Prison For?" by Bill Keller is a compelling and eye-opening exploration of the American carceral system. Published in 2022, this book captivated me from start to finish, as I devoured it in one sitting.

Keller’s analysis is a stark reminder of the dire state of mass incarceration in the United States. Nothing new for us in the know: he begins by illuminating how our incarceration rate vastly exceeds that of other nations, including Russia, Iran, and Mexico, with a disproportionately high number of Black and Brown individuals behind bars. His statistics are sobering: our incarceration rate per 100,000 population is roughly twice that of Russia's and Iran's, four times that of Mexico's, five times that of England's, six times that of Canada's, nine times that of Germany's, and seventeen times that of Japan's.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is Keller’s portrayal of the human side of the prison system. He shares insights from those who have taught and learned in prisons, highlighting both the gratifying and disheartening aspects of this work. Vivian Nixon, who has been both a student and a teacher behind bars, describes the students as "thirsty, hungry" for knowledge, underscoring the tragic waste of human potential in our current system.

Keller also delves into the emotional toll on prison reformers and volunteers, who often grapple with feelings of futility. Despite this, many continue their work, driven by the belief that even small changes can have a profound impact on individuals' lives. He compares these reformers to pacifists driving ambulances in war zones—staunchly against the war, yet committed to mitigating its harms.

One particularly poignant section describes how success in prison reform is measured in "human increments." This includes released prisoners who have a fighting chance because they learned to control their temper, earned a college degree, or maintained family ties through liberal visitation policies. Keller emphasizes that real change comes from personal connections, with formerly incarcerated individuals often attributing their success to someone who showed them a new possibility for their lives—a drug counselor, parenting teacher, or college professor.

In "What's Prison For?," Keller honors those who work tirelessly to make a difference in an often inhumane system. Despite the systemic disappointments and frustrations, their efforts bring significant change to the lives of individual human beings. This book is a testament to their dedication and a call to action for readers to rethink the purpose and impact of imprisonment in our society.

Overall, Bill Keller’s "What's Prison For?" is a deeply impactful read that challenges our perceptions and inspires a reevaluation of our justice system. It is a must-read for anyone interested in prison reform and social justice.

A new future is possible.

This book should be mandatory reading for all policy makers and the people that enforce them.

It was ok.

It read like a college lecture. Informative but certainly not captivating. Lots of good ideas.