The book got so many great reviews, but I find a lot of fault with not only the author, but it’s depiction of a prison. There’s holiday contests, foot massages, pedicures, and birthday celebrations. There’s women helping each other all the time...that’s not really representative of what prison is like. Way too much effort and time seems to be spent writing about all the “good” in prison. We very rarely get to see the ugly side, which exists daily. Maybe the author chose to leave that out, but why?
I have been to many women’s prisons as a consultant and seeking employment once. The events you list occur regularly in my experience. Pedicures, holiday decorations, and such.
It was awhile back, 1974 or so. I was in Frontera at the invitation of a co-worker who had transferred there. Women were sunbathing with their tops off. I was 25 and trying not to stare. I worked in a CYA facility with young men from 18-14. I asked about the rule. “If the officer supervising doesn’t like it, they can tell them to cover up. No body ever does.” I saw a very large butch inmate, with her “girl toy” on her arm in pigtails, bossing her around and telling her what she was going to do to her body parts when they got back to the living unit. Women french kissed in front of us. probably for my benefit, but was told it was not a violation. Now this may reflect upon the warden at the time, but women traditionally have more latitude than men in prison. Especially in general population.
All that being said, the inmate and staff behaviors come to quick and are often “out there.” It is in the long run, hollywood.
The overwhelming smugness of the author hit me like the smell of sun baked garbage right off the bat.
I really wasn’t familiar with the book or the author but it was recommended to me so I read it.
I don’t recall how I found out she was from Boston and a graduate of Smith College but really, I know any number of people like her being from Boston myself.
Such people are really quite run of the mill around here and really very difficult to deal with. Just insufferable.