I don't particularly enjoy the color orange and I have a fear of ever having to pee in front of people. As a result, I am terrified of ever having to go to jail/prison. Terrified. I wouldn't last a day. I think it was this fear that drew me to Kerman's memoir which I devoured over the last two days. And, while her book doesn't make me want to run out and commit a crime as some people have done because her book has glorified orange jump suits causing the number of prison inmates to be on the rise, it did make me see prison and inmates in a very different light.
I found Kerman's book to be both inspiring and alarming. Inspiring because the women Piper met over her year in prison, and Piper herself, are some strong ladies. I am still sad that Piper ever had to do time in the first place, but she handled a bad choice like the adult she is, did her time, and returned to her life and continues to move forward. She is what the government hopes will happen when inmates leave prison. But, I am also alarmed because the system of helping these ladies return to society is horribly inadequate and not everyone turns out like Piper. Not everyone has a friend who will give you a good job with benefits after you've done time in a Federal Prison. Not everyone had family and friends sending them letters and books and taking the time to come visit each week. Not everyone gets helped when they are out. Which is why they return. It makes me sad. Really sad.
I wonder how many sociology classes will use this book as a text? Or are already doing so. It's a brilliant piece of work and I am so glad that Piper found yet another way to make a bad situation have a positive outcome.
This is a good read.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
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