Title: 23/7: Pelican Bay and the Rise of Long-term Solitary Confinement
Author: Keramet Reiter
Publisher: Yale University Press
Pages: 312
Rating: 3/5
I REALLY wanted to like this book, but it lacked a lot of content. Even though it gave you some background on how Pelican Bay and the SHU came about, I just felt it was too statistically out there. The author focused mainly on two individuals. While it gave you a little glimpse on the inside of what these prisoners have endured, I still wish she would’ve used more inmates’ personal experiences. This book does give you some great research ideas and does give you an idea of the life of a prisoner, but I wanted more.
If you do want to read about Solitary Confinement and some perspectives from a few inmates, check out:
Hell is a Very Small Place: Voices of Solitary Confinement- Jean Casella, James Ridgeway, and Sarah Shourd (no endorsement for this book)
I really feel like you get that more personal, in-depth look you want in the life of a solitary confinement prisoner.
I really wanted to write more in this review, but there’s only so much you can write about something you didn’t really enjoy.
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