Customer Reviews

Behind Prison Walls: The Real World of Working in Today's Prisons

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is very well written. It opened up my eyes
to the different types of prisoners. I also thought
that it was amazingly frank about the behaviors and motivations
of corrections officers. This is the first book in
this genre that I have ever read. It was interesting
and entertaining. I would highly recommend this book.

This is a good primer book for those uninitiated to the prison workplace, but having spent over 25 years in Corrections I found it lacking in depth and critical content and a bit egotistically idealized by the author. He apparently never had to face ethical questions or moral dilemmas in his experience, either that or he chose to omit those aspects. I would have been more interested if he had delved more into the politics and bureacratical intrigue of correctional work, which have a much greater impact on the careers of correctional employees. Still, it would be unfair to dismiss this work as without merit, but it is incomplete, only scratching the surface of being on the inside.

I have just started working in a state prision and so far everything I have encountered was written in this book. The inmates, and the Corrections staff, it was all like I was reliving all what I have learned and encountered just the year I have worked. Before going into this work please read this book, it is not an easy career for everyone. I have learned that I have what it takes to become a career Corrections Officer, although, being a female it is not easy, not only for me, but for my family members, they have no idea what 8 hours a day is like, behind these Prison Walls.

If you are interested in Corrections and wonder what goes on and how correctional officers deal with inmates on a day to day basis, this is the book for you. Mr. Martin gives great insight into the world of corrections and answers many questions civilians might have. I highly recommend this book. Tip top! another book worth reading about inmate manipulation is Bud Allen's book.

I work in a state prison on the medical staff. This book was written from the custody officer's point of view and seemed to be looking for shock value. I found the description of different grouping of prisoners helpful but would have appreciated a similar listing of others who work in prisons and the problems they face. Games Prisoners Play is much more helpful.

Tom Martin has given us a portion, just a glimpse of his profession, good and bad. His description/point of view provide insight of various situations only encountered in his environment. It definitely takes a unique individual, usually with military experience.
My favorite part is the Glossary of Terms, Boss.