Liberty's Prison

Reviews / Votes

Randy Liberty is one of America's most compelling voices in prison reform-and his unflinching memoir reveals how he got there. From the chaos of a violent childhood to becoming a national leader transforming our correctional system-one man's extraordinary journey proves that change is possible.
Liberty's story traces a path that defies every expectation. Raised in poverty with a father behind bars, he could have become another casualty of the system. Instead, he forged himself into a leader-first as a decorated Command Sergeant Major in Iraq, where he carried the weight of life-and-death decisions in combat, then as an elected county sheriff, rescue diver, prison warden, and eventually Commissioner of Corrections, in each role confronting human crisis daily.
His personal battle with PTSD gave him rare insight into the mental health struggles plaguing America's prisons. Now, as a national voice in correctional reform, Liberty brings both moral authority and hard data to the fight for systemic change, delivering measurable results in cost savings and human dignity.
At a time when America grapples with the failures of "tough-on-crime" policies and the dangerous allure of political retribution, Liberty offers something more powerful than rhetoric: proof that decency can triumph over despair, that forgiveness can heal what punishment cannot. True justice requires the courage to see our shared humanity-even in the darkest places. This book is a testament to resilience, transformation, the healing power of forgiveness, and the urgent need to reimagine justice in America. * Peter Maramaldi, Endowed Professor, Simmons University School of Social Work, Adjunct Professor, Harvard School of Public Health * Liberty's Prison is a must-read for correctional leaders throughout the United States. Randy Liberty is one of the most forward-thinking leaders in the field, and through his work with the Maine Department of Corrections, he has proven that when you provide incarcerated individuals with opportunities for change, in most cases, they will take advantage of those opportunities.

Because his father served time in prison, Liberty thinks differently than most leaders, viewing the correctional system through a different lens, one that began to take shape during his childhood. He recognizes the incarcerated as human beings-seeing them as someone's father or mother, someone's son or daughter, someone's brother or sister.

Liberty has dedicated his career to providing the incarcerated with opportunities for change, and any time we have ideas for innovations in the field of corrections, he is the first person we go to. As correctional leaders, there is much we can learn by reading Liberty's story. -- Kevin Kempf, Executive Director of the Correctional Leaders Association Part memoir, part recipe for change, this book compellingly makes the case for the human ability to change, and the need to make sure our structures change along with them.

Liberty's Prison has many lessons we need to learn. First, incarceration is most frequently the result of structural rather than individual failings-patriarchy, masculinity, poverty, racism, lack of social safety nets-and therefore structural solutions are needed to change it. Second, leadership matters. When leaders' personal identities give them access to perspectives that facilitate unconventional decisions, many benefits can follow. Third, incarcerated people are capable of living meaningful lives that can both contribute to society while also addressing their own personal growth, if only given the chance. The political will of leaders is the missing ingredient, but Randy Liberty adds it in and has made real change in Maine's Department of Correction.

Randy Liberty's personal insight into how incarceration harms families and society, and his commitment to reinventing what the system does for people in confinement, is both a revolutionary and pragmatic approach to the field. His bold choices upend conventional practices of incarceration, reminding readers of the true meaning of correction-to offer means for self-betterment that can also heal patterns of structural and individual harm. Through economic opportunities for incarcerated people to earn real income via remote work and college degrees, to therapeutic meaning-making through gardening, bee-keeping, and yoga, the story of Liberty's tenure as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Correction holds lessons for decision-makers in every state. This book gave me hope that real change in the carceral system is possible. -- Mneesha Gellman, Director, Emerson Prison Initiative and Associate Professor of Political Science, Emerson College Liberty's Prison will take you on a journey you won't easily leave behind. Liberty's book is an inside look at the life of a boy who grew up in extreme poverty, suffering trauma throughout childhood while visiting his father in prison. That same boy further experienced trauma while serving in combat as well as through rescue diving and his career in law enforcement. Upon becoming the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, Liberty used those experiences to implement radical changes based upon his personal belief that healing and connection are necessary to moving forward in life. This book takes you behind the scenes in one of the darkest places on earth, only to release you into the light on the other side. -- Lisa Clements, PhD, Tom Clements Foundation With boots on the ground and humanity at the helm, Randy Liberty proves prison can be a place of true transformation. Liberty's Prison is more than a biography-it is a road map on how to live a life being of service to others. Proof that healed people heal people. -- Abbe J. Marten, CEO and Board President, The Peaceful Prisons Project Randy Liberty, a man who learned tough adult lessons while still just a child, has applied the best of himself at every juncture in his career. His impact in the military, law enforcement, and now corrections is an inspiration for all. Time and time again, he has proven himself to be an innovative leader, one who embodies authenticity, kindness, and humility. Randy's story is one of sincerity and promise, and in his role as Commissioner of Corrections for the State of Maine, he continues to change lives for the better. Liberty's mindset is a game changer, one that has the potential to redefine the future of Corrections in America. -- Anne L. Precythe, former Director of Corrections for Missouri and President of the Correctional Leaders Association In the great tradition of Maine storytellers, you will want to connect with Commissioner Randy Liberty and his life's story. For me, as a friend, fellow veteran, and corrections professional, I have had the privilege to watch and admire Randy's story. You may connect with Randy as a child of an incarcerated parent, an advocate and action-agent for prison reform, or simply as someone who wants to share in and celebrate a story of humanity and character. I highly recommend you connect with this proven corrections professional and learn the lessons of his story. -- Mark S. Inch, Major General (Ret), 15th Provost Marshal General, 9th Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and 12th Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections Liberty's Prison is a vital and deeply moving memoir where the author Randy Liberty does not shy away from the difficult realities of his childhood and military service. It is an honest and raw account of living with PTSD and the hard journey towards healing.
The incarceration of Liberty's father, his deployment in Iraq, and his return to the United States clearly marked him. And while these experiences were painful, they were also the catalyst for transformation, what motivated Liberty to investigate the prison system, the lives of the incarcerated, and mental health. Believing in second chances, Liberty joined law enforcement to implement well-needed changes, changes that would improve the lives of the incarcerated especially veterans and that would show mercy, understanding, and even a path towards redemption and better life choices.
Liberty's book is a powerful story of resilience and a necessary guide to anyone wanting to understand the field of corrections and what veterans go through post-deployment. A truly essential and impactful work. -- Mireille Rebeiz, PhD, SJD, Chair of Middle East Studies and Associate Professor, Dickinson College For correctional leaders, Liberty's Prison is not a might read or should read; it's a must read. Commissioner Liberty has raised the bar for the field of corrections. * Rick Raemisch, retired Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections *