Inner Lives
Voices of African American Women in Prison
Published on 1. April 2003
Book
Hardback
339 pages
978-0-8147-4254-9 (ISBN)
Description
An intimate collection of African American women's voices on their lives in prison
The rate of women entering prison has increased nearly 400 percent since 1980, with African American women constituting the largest percentage of this population. However, despite their extremely disproportional representation in correctional institutions, little attention has been paid to their experiences within the criminal justice system.
Inner Lives provides readers the rare opportunity to intimately connect with African American women prisoners. By presenting the women's stories in their own voices, Paula C. Johnson captures the reality of those who are in the system, and those who are working to help them. Johnson offers a nuanced and compelling portrait of this fastest-growing prison population by blending legal history, ethnography, sociology, and criminology. These striking and vivid narratives are accompanied by equally compelling arguments by Johnson on how to reform our nation's laws and social policies, in order to eradicate existing inequalities. Her thorough and insightful analysis of the historical and legal background of contemporary criminal law doctrine, sentencing theories, and correctional policies sets the stage for understanding the current system.
The rate of women entering prison has increased nearly 400 percent since 1980, with African American women constituting the largest percentage of this population. However, despite their extremely disproportional representation in correctional institutions, little attention has been paid to their experiences within the criminal justice system.
Inner Lives provides readers the rare opportunity to intimately connect with African American women prisoners. By presenting the women's stories in their own voices, Paula C. Johnson captures the reality of those who are in the system, and those who are working to help them. Johnson offers a nuanced and compelling portrait of this fastest-growing prison population by blending legal history, ethnography, sociology, and criminology. These striking and vivid narratives are accompanied by equally compelling arguments by Johnson on how to reform our nation's laws and social policies, in order to eradicate existing inequalities. Her thorough and insightful analysis of the historical and legal background of contemporary criminal law doctrine, sentencing theories, and correctional policies sets the stage for understanding the current system.
Reviews / Votes
"Johnson provides a historical look at African American women in the U.S. criminal justice system from the colonial period to the present." (Law's Social Inquiry) "Johnson gives these women visibility and voice as they relate their lives, their crimes, and their efforts to remain connected to families and communities . . . powerful." (Booklist) "Inner Lives soars when the women are allowed to speak for themselves." (Book) "Johnsons Inner Lives provides both a serious intervention in the literature on prisons and a venue through which incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Black women can speak for themselves. It challenges readers to take action." (Black Renaissance) "Johnson illuminates how the race and gender of African American women affect how they are treated in the American criminal justice system." (The Womens Review of Books)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
617 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8147-4254-9 (9780814742549)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Paula C. Johnson is Professor of Law at Syracuse University College of Law and Co-President of the Society of American Law Teachers.
Joyce A. Logan, a former inmate in the Texas prison system, is an advocate for prisoner rights and education.
Angela J. Davis is Professor of Law at the Washington College of Law at American University.
Joyce A. Logan, a former inmate in the Texas prison system, is an advocate for prisoner rights and education.
Angela J. Davis is Professor of Law at the Washington College of Law at American University.
Content
Foreword by Joyce A. Logan Preface AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Analysis of African American Women's Experiences in the U.S. Criminal Justice System 1I Profiles and Narratives of African American Women in the U.S. Criminal Justice System A Currently Incarcerated Women Don Alda Cynthia Mamie Elizabeth Rae Ann Donna Martha Marilyn B Formerly Incarcerated Women Bettie Gibson Joyce Ann Brown Betty Tyson Karen Michelle Blakney Ida P. McCray Millicent Pierce Joyce A. Logan Donna Hubbard Spearman C Criminal Justice Officials and Support Networks Judge Juanita Bing Newton Assistant Warden Gerald Clay Grace House Administrators: Rochelle Bowles, Mary Dolan, Annie Gonzalez, and Kathy Nolan Sandra Barnhill, Director, Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers (AIM)Rhodessa Jones, Director, Medea Theater Project Professor Brenda V. Smith A Family Story: Renay, Judy, Debbie, and Kito III Conclusions and Recommendations Afterword by Angela J. Davis Appendix A: Self-Study Course on African American Women's History Appendix B: Resource Directory Notes Bibliography Index About the Author