Newjack - 1/14/21

 Hello Law Abiding Citizens, 

Week 2: Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing (8/10)

Premise: After being refused to allow to tail corrections officers through training, Ted Conover applies, gets accepted, and takes on the job of corrections officer himself in one of New York's most difficult prisons. 

It's a stark change to get the viewpoint of the Corrections Officers (not guards) instead of the prisoners. Which is exactly what Conover wanted to write this book. I will admit, Ted Conover is one of my favorite authors to read, his dedication to experiencing what he writes about is bar none. 

The book starts with training. Ted Conover leaves his family for several weeks to live with others training to become Corrections Officers (CO's).  He learns many different tactics to control prisoners, what pepper spray feels like, what rules to follow, and which ones you can break. It's difficult for him, but he gets through. That's the story he wanted, but Conover is no quitter. He decides to work as a CO, knowing he'll be sent to New York's worst prison Sing Sing. 

Most new CO's get sent to Sing Sing, simply because most CO's don't want to go there. The new CO's put in requests to different prisons closer to their homes, or with better reputations. That is, except Conover. He wanted to see what the worst prison was like. Conover discusses internal politics, mental health, CO/prisoner relations, and so many other things. He guides you through his thought process over the next few months he works in Sing Sing. 

I was enthralled through (almost) the entire book. There was a chapter on the history of the prison system which I found dry, but it was educational. It was educational such a good (and different) view point on the prison system. I'm sure parts were left out from his journey, but as a whole, it is a great trip through the eyes of someone who experienced, what many consider, the darkest part of society. 

and remember dear readers, Stay Vivid