The Big House: Life Inside a Supermax Security Prison [Hardcover]

Warden James H. Bruton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2004

The warden tells all! "The Big House" is a frightening insiders look at life in a world-famous, maximum-security prison and the first to be told from the wardens perspective. Let Warden James H. Bruton lead you beyond the massive coils of razor ribbon and into the cell blocks of some of Americas most dangerous prisoners. Experience the shocking reality of working everyday with murderers, robbers, rapists, and thieves. Meet the inmates who have killed or maimed and who would take human life in a heartbeat. Who are they, and what are they all about? Walk inside with the Warden to this world of unimaginable ferocity and numbing reality. Experience in graphic detail the grim and sinister realities of prison existence as you come face-to-face with child molesters, predators, drug smugglers, and gang members. Learn the management techniques of controlling the most violent and difficult-to-manage offenders as well as why the staffs approach to treating inmates has made Oak Park Heights supermax prison one of the safest and most secure prisons in existence. About the Author: Jim Bruton was the warden at Oak Park Heights for five years, from 1996-2001. He worked in correctional facilities for 14 years and has 35 years of experience in the field of corrections. He is an adjunct faculty member in Criminal Justice/Sociology at five Twin Cities colleges/universities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Corrections Compendium, July/August 2005 (circ.: 8,000)

“This book should be on the bookshelf of every training center.”

About the Author

Jim Bruton was the warden at Oak Park Heights for five years, from 1996-2001. He worked in correctional facilities for 14 years and has 35 years of experience in the field of corrections. He is an adjunct faculty member in Criminal Justice/Sociology at the University of St. Thomas, the University of Minnesota, Hamline University, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, and Century College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896580393
• ISBN-13: 978-0896580398
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #817,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, Informative, Insightful, July 7, 2004

By 

John H. Prin "Secrets are my speciality" (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big House: Life Inside a Supermax Security Prison (Hardcover)

From John Howard Prin, author of STOLEN HOURS: Breaking Free From Secret Addictions, Syren Books 2004

Jim Bruton's THE BIG HOUSE gives readers an eyeful about prison behavior in a supermax security facility. It's a treat for anyone who has ever wondered what life must be like inside the walls of a tiny cell, a noisy cellblock, a razor-wired prison yard, or the much-feared "hole."

Not only does Bruton, a retired warden of 35 years in the field of corrections, portray the kinds of criminal personalities who damage their quarters or harass other inmates (including the daily power struggles and endless game-playing for control), he also tells of humorous incidents and some tender moments that show the humane sides of both offenders and officers alike.

While dozens of remarkable details sprinkle his stories, along with vivid photos, it's his philosophy of rehabilitation that rises to the fore. Bruton argues that dignified, respectful treatment - even for problematic inmates - creates a safer environment for all. And not only while incarcerated. Because 95 percent of prisoners are eventually released, Bruton's focus emphasizes the importance of preparing prisoners to live a productive lifestyle on the outside. This book informs, intrigues, and instills wise insights.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Three stars because the info was interesting, January 9, 2006

By 

Michael Bird (Yorba Linda, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big House: Life Inside a Supermax Security Prison (Hardcover)

Not written by a "writer", this non-fiction works only because the topic and stories were interesting. My complaint is that the stories were told in a fashion that was too choppy and disconnected.

In any case, for someone interested in some of the details of prison life this book does hold some interest and I recommend it it on that level. For a deeper look, or a more scholarly take, you'll have to look elsewhere.

I did find many of the short takes on interactions between the writer (a warden) and some of the prisoners to be intertaining reading.

Where was near the end a rather lame arguement against the death penalty, I say lame because it wasn't that there can't be strong arguements against the death penalty, its just that the arguements for it need to be properly presented if one is going to argue against them (or else you're tearing down a strawman).

The most important point however was made, and made well, and that was that prisoners in the system need to be treated with a certain amount of humanity and respect, or else the system becomes dangerous, makes problems worse and doesn't prepare men for eventual release. For this part of the book I give the author credit and recommend that it be read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good and Accurate Insight to Prison Life, May 6, 2007

By 

G. Edwards (Fort Bragg, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big House: Life Inside a Supermax Security Prison (Hardcover)

James Bruton was an enlightened Warden; someone who believed in the dignity of prisoners and in giving them self-respect. He argues, in the stories he tells about life in a supermax prison, that 95% of all prisoners get paroled at some point and that society has an interest in seeing that parolees re-enter the streets well-adjusted and not angry.
His anecdotes about older lifers, and how they typically "run" prisons (through long-term stays in key jobs), about what causes lockdowns, and the experiences of guards ring true. [...].
This is not a leering, notorious book; rather it is an insightful report of the author's experiences. Highly recommended.