Customer Reviews

Life Without Parole: Living in Prison Today

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I met the author in prison during an educational presentation, and found out about the book through our local criminal justice classes. After reading this book, I came away with an increased knowledge of life in prison and the multiple methods of manipulation that exists among prisoners. The book is well written, researched, and exemplifies the wasted talents of inmates in prison today. Victor is to be applauded for his efforts to enlighten us about life in prison in a realistic manner.
Pat Puline
patpuline@aol.com

Life without Parole is an inmate's account of life at Graterford prison in Pennsylvania. It is a view of prison as he knew it. I would never expect the guards nor the administration to publicly admit to the goings on at Graterford during the time the author was incarcerated. There are countless acounts of wrong doing by both inmates and guards alike. Mr. Hassine has presented his view of prison and I find it to be informative, interesting, and believable.

Hassine graduated from law school, and then almost immediately was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for murder. This book provides his account of his experiences in one maximum security, overcrowded, violent prison near Philadelphia, PA.

I have never visited the prison he describes, and thus can not comment on the factual accuracy of the events described. However, having spent endless hours with inmates in similar prisons, I believe that he has certainly captured the essence of being an inmate in this type of prison. It is well written, and provides stories, from which the reader is allowed to draw his or her on conclusions. He does not preach, but tells his story simply and compellingly.

Since this country is sending an increasing number of young people to live out most of their lives in prison, all or us should be aware of what we are doing. This book accomplishes that purpose.

Unlike some other similar books (Jack Abbott's, Belly of the Beast, comes to mind), Hassine does not focus exclusively on the negatives of prison life. This is not a "prison destroyed my life" rant. Rather, it is a successful attempt to give a balanced view of day-to-day life in prison. The overwhelming fact of which is constant boredom, with a heavy overlay of barely supressed violence (mostly by other inmates, but occassionally from guards).

My only criticism is that the introductory comments of the editor (thankfully short) interspersed throughout the book are distracting and unnecessary.

All in all, for anyone interested in learning what life is like in America's prosons, this book is highly recommended.

I had a chance to meet this man, he is a very intellegent man and a great writer. This book changed my views on prisons and prison life. In talking with him in Albion prison, where I met him while i was on tour there, i realized why he wrote the book. You must read this very real book.

This is an excellent account of life in prison. This is a must read for those interested in contemporary prison life. Very basic, but allows for a quick understanding of life on the inside.

I read this book because I meet Victor in 86' while I was on "E" block at the Fort ...Victor was the Shamus of the synagogue in Graterford at the time.. He made it possible for Jewish inmates to Get off the block..

I had many deep conversations about life with Victor, as i was at personal crossroads in my life. the script that was caste for me was university not penitentiary..

Privately I always felt Victor was remorseful and wore the burden of guilt. Victor like most inmates tend to forget the hours days weeks years of endless boredom in jail for the brief moments of calamity. Riots, and Murder are not everyday occurrences as portrayed on "OZ" but every couple years the pot boils over.

Victor Hasine is a tragic story straight through to his recent death.

Victor could just as easily been power broker,corporate lawyer, multimillionaire as he was a convicted killer..

But if God is real then he had a purpose for Victor. I am certain the Victor touched many lives in prison and I hope that he is forgivin and blessed in the next life.. lord knows he suffered in this one.

I only would have hope that he would have written more than just this one book as I know he had much more to offer this world.

May you rest in peace my brother..

And this is the best one. The only bad part is the fact that it's quite short. Being a text, it's also expensive. But it's concise, well written, informative, and the commentaries by the editor are helpful. I live a few miles from Grateford and found that added to my interest.

Mr. Hassine wrote a very good book. I like how he wrote with organization.

Because there is some curiosity about the steps that one would go through after being arrested.

He also broke it down on his experiences in the prison system.

An excellent writer Mr. Hassine is!

A must read. Victor tells it like it is. If young people would read this book I believe it will turn many around off the path they are traveling which will lead to prison. My heart goes out to Victor, such a waste for him to be locked up without parole. The horrors of what he has been through and what he has to look forward too. I could not deal with what he has to deal with. So sad.

I feel the only way to describe the place is to be blunt about. The truth, to you nonbelievers and you that KNOW and won't believe is staring you in the face. Today's society express all the terms I've learn from Dr. Wright's (a great man) class. I've spent time inside, but probably not the time that immediatly come to mind. Observe almost any institution and you'll, really, see the same behavior. Maybe most are not privileged enough to explore the depths of many others' personal rel-ships. Wheather its the military, the dept. of corr., tyson chicken or the calms missionary baptist church, LIFE within individuals will exist. This, in turn, yeilds love and sometimes distress. Once you can truly recognize that there is a good and bad rooted, then killings, such as those we have experienced will continue to exist. I must go now. Thank you for listening.