Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-American Men [Paperback]

Demico Boothe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

African-American males are being imprisoned at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Out of the more than 11 million black adult males in the U.S. population, nearly 1.5 million are in prisons and jails with another 3.5 million more on probation or parole or who have previously been on probation or parole. Black males make up the majority of the total prison population, and due to either present or past incarceration is the most socially disenfranchised group of American citizens in the country today. This book, which was penned by Boothe while he was still incarcerated, details the author's personal story of a negligent upbringing in an impoverished community, his subsequent engagement in criminal activity (drug dealing), his incarceration, and his release from prison and experiencing of the crippling social disenfranchisement that comes with being an ex-felon. The author then relates his personal experiences and realizations to the seminal problems within the African-American community, federal government, and criminal justice system that cause his own experiences to be the same experiences of millions of other young black men. This book focuses on the totality of how and why the U.S. prison system became the largest prison system in the world, and is filled with relevant statistical and historical references and controversial facts and quotes from notable persons and sources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Good Book!" --Michael Baisden, The Michael Baisden Show

"About time somebody wrote a book like this!" --Dick Gregory, Legendary comedian, activist, and author

"Clearly one of the most important publications regarding the plight of black males in America of the past quarter-century.....a book that is a must-read for anyone remotely interested in pulling back the layers upon layers of misinformation, ignorance and apathy both within our community and without; indeed, by those who, in the words of James Baldwin, want to see what s really going on in America." --Eric Croomes, The Village Report

"In his new book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime. Boothe admits he made bad choices along the way. But, during his 12 year jail sentence he raised his mind and changed his thinking by reading and studying a variety of books. It is this transformed thinking that freed Boothe from his emotional and spiritual jail cell." -- -- ----Tri-State Defender

"I recommend that all African-Americans read this book...I learned so much that I had to mark up my own personal copy with highlights of passages that I found profound." --Dr. Ed Yancey, Chaplain for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Professor of African and African-American Studies, University of Memphis, Strayer University

"I found this book to be thoughtful and enlightening, also a wonderful collection of factual information about the American criminal justice and prison systems. As a prison clergyman, I find this book to be a significant addition to my library. I can truly say that there is no inmate who would not benefit by reading Mr. Boothe's books and applying the principles." --Imam Addul-Rahman Sabir, Director, AIMC (Assisting Incarcerated Muslims Corp.)

"Excellent...the unvarnished truth." --Steve Seibert, Director of Policy, Collins Center for Public Policy

"Poignant" --The Houston Press

"A most necessary literary work that deserves the immediate attention of us all."--- ---- --Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

"In his book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime." --Ray Von Robertson, Associate Professor of Sociology, Lamar University

This book was excellent! I learned so much that I did not know about the criminal justice system and prisons. The personal story of Mr. Boothe really grabbed me and shook me to tears, so much so that I had to invite him to speak to my students at my college for the African American Male Initiative. Mr. Boothe is an inspiration to all who have been down and out but refuse to give up, and this eye-opening literary work deserves much respect and attention from us all. --Zelema Harris, Ed.D., chancellor of St. Louis Community College, former president of Parkland College, former president of Penn Valley Community College

About the Author

Demico Boothe is considered by many to be an expert on the criminal justice system as it relates to African-Americans. He served 12 consecutive years inside of federal prison and was released in November of 2003. During his incarceration, he read over 500 books and dedicated his time to study, writing, and mentoring other incarcerated African-American males about the need for lifestyle/ mentality change. Since his release, he has been mentoring young minorities at halfway houses, rehabilitation centers, jails and schools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Full Surface Publishing (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979295300
• ISBN-13: 978-0979295300
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Crime & Criminals  > Penology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?, August 3, 2007

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-American Men (Paperback)

Demico Boothe has explored the reasons so many black men are indeed in prison in, WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON? He begins with his own story of a shaky upbringing and his subsequent dabbling in drug dealing. He was caught with a few grams of crack cocaine but because it was the dreaded crack, he was given 10 years in prison. When he left prison after serving his time, he was actually railroaded back into prison by a crooked justice system. He delves deeply into our justice system and the motives behind all the new prisons that are being built. He gives succinct and reasonable views of exactly what is happening now in the United States and how the past has played a role in the present. He uses persuasive statistics regarding the number of black men in prison as compared to the number of white men who are incarcerated.

Demico Boothe has done an excellent job of researching his subject and it is a plus, if unfortunate for him, that he has actually experienced first hand what he's talking about. I knew I was hearing the real story rather than just statistics from an intellectual who had no real idea of what the prison system is really like. I would have liked for Boothe to search a little deeper into the Haiti, Aristide and USA question, maybe even reading Randall Robinson's take on the situation, and then he might see it a bit differently. Otherwise, it is a good book and one every one in America should read. We indeed, have a crisis going on.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why are so many Black Men in prison?, August 17, 2009

By 

C. A. Holder "Claire Holder" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-American Men (Paperback)

When I saw this book, I immediately purchased it and sent it to my friend Willie Smith who is on Death Row in Alabama. This Review therefore expresses his review that he sent to me in a letter.
Claire, Thank you for this insightful book that helped me to look at my current circumstances differently. It opened my eyes to so many issues that I had taken for granted. For the first time I was resding someone else's views on the inequalities of the criminal justice system we have in America. When we were growing up, I dare not question the system for fear of being seen to be ungrateful for the small mercies.
The author touched on the racism that seems to lie beneath most of what happens to us young Black Men in the USA. He educated us about significant historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panthers and the inequalities that they fought against. I was able to identify with much of what he had experienced because I too experienced that crushingly impoverished childhood and all the social deprivation that robbed me of my dignity and basic human rights and that conditioned my thoughts and determined a lifestyle that led me to where I am here on Death Row. Whilst I am here, I thank the author for being strong enough and frank enough to put his thoughts over in this way. This book has served as a source of inspiration for me to continue to try and educate myself and make up for the education that I missed whilst I was growing up. This book is a must read for all young Black men whether they are already in the system or not, so that they could avoid the same mistakes that I made and they could go on an seek opportunities to improve their lives.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vital, Sharp Perspective, December 18, 2009

By 

Jabari Adisa (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-American Men (Paperback)

This is a necessary work. Boothe doesn't make excuses. He doesn't 'blame the white man'. But he does do a great job of linking our modern pathologies (and the perceptions of same) to historical circumstances. Some will be put off by the title alone. Fine, this isn't for you. This book is for those of us who are trying to understand the world in which we live. I urge the people who find value in this book to give a copy of it to a young black male in your life. And, if possible, send one to an inmate. A major part of solving the problems within the African American community involves first agreeing what they are (we're pros at this), determining why they occur (Boothe helps here), and proposing effective solutions. Get to work people. Thank you Demico Boothe for putting your thoughts to paper. Who knows how many lives you just saved. Readers, ask yourself why prisons are run as businesses with profit and loss projections. Ask yourself how and why the US prison population evolved from largely white to largely black in such a short run. Read this book. Read Douglas Blackmon's "Slavery by Another Name" Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II. Read Kathryn Russell's "The Color of Crime". The Color of Crime (Second Edition): Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and Other Macroaggressions (Critical America). Force the tough questions, identify the real answers, and create effective solutions.