L. Jonsson says:

This is a book by federal inmate Michael Santos on the inner life of a federal prison. It is difficult at times to read because of the characters actions and personalities. I found his desciption of prison life harrowing.

What disgusts me about this book is the author. At age 23 in 1987 he was convicted of crimes related to his participation in a drug trafficking scheme to 45 years. He describes himsself as a “..kid from an affluent suburb in north Seattle…that…orchestrated a distribution scheme responsible for supplying hundreds of thousands of doses of cocaine.” He was a kingpin in an industry that murders people regularly, and encourages addiction. Of encouraging cocaine addiction the author implies “…our purchasers were consenting adults, people who were not ready to embrace government admonitions that they should ‘just say no’.” What a rationalization! Addiction to cocaine ( and to any other type of mind altering substance) is very real, and happens due to the distribution of cocaine. He also states that the people his people (again, he was at the top of his pyramid scheme) were selling to were all adults–I would love to see proof of this. When I worked as an alcohol and drug counselor, the drug sellers would sell to ANYONE who had money, the pregnant girls, the teenage dropouts, the 10 year olds down the street. I am sure that Mr. Santos has quite a background in the drug selling business, as many people who are at the top in the business start out by pushing drugs to their friends in elementary, middle, and high school. Mr. Santos does not seem remorseful for his actions, and does not say he is wrong anywhere for having these anti-social ideas. He does state in the book “I blame no one but myself” but this seems hollow and insincere.

I also did not understand the fact that he was allowed to get a BA and an MA while in prison until he was stopped by a prison transfer. Why is this allowed? Isn’t prison supposed to be punishment? I could not figure out if he was using his own funds for the education or if this was some type of federal government grant he was getting for the correspondance courses he was taking. I am digusted if in fact he was using my hard earned tax dollars to better himself. Don’t get me wrong-I am not against GED programs for inmates or reading programs-but I am against getting a higher degree, even if the inmates are paying for it.

An enlightening book by a disgusting person.
Rating: 3 / 5

bluenote says:

There is so little about this book that involves actual events that the author participates in that I get the feeling it is complete fiction. The dialogue reads like a white guy trying to write how a black guy or a latino guy would speak. There is a preachy quality to whenever the author talks about himself — “I sinned and I am repenting and I am going to make the world a better place for ex-cons”.

If you are looking for a hard-hitting gripping tale of the day-to-day struggles for survival in prison, skip this.
Rating: 3 / 5

Mark OBrien says:

I’ve read ‘Inside the Crips’ (C. Simpson) which was very good, ‘Life in Prison’ (S. Willimams) which is a total waste of time and ‘Inside.’ Inside is very graphic, informative, moves fast and is hard to put down. I gave it to my 81 year-old father and he enjoyed it as well. It is a quick read and yes it might give you a few nightmares. The rehabilitation system doesn’t work and Santos explains why. He has several human interest stories and keeps you interested throughout the entire read.
Rating: 5 / 5