Prison Journal : An Irreverent Look at Life on the Inside

By Joseph F. Timilty

Book Overview

When Boston politician Joseph Timilty was sent to the Schuylkill federal correctional institution to serve a four-month term because he refused to pull anyone else into the political dragnet he had been caught up in, he accepted his situation with dignity and courage. If he could survive four months with the marines at Parris Island, he told his family, he could survive this. For the next four months, he kept a secret diary that he smuggled out of prison in coded notes and letters to his wife. Intimate, poignant, and frequently hilarious, "Prison Journal: An Irreverent Look at Life on the Inside" is a compilation of his observations about his arrest and trial, his life in prison, and the aftereffects of his experiences. The book captures the paradox of prison life, a potent cocktail of high drama and dark comedy infused with exasperating ironies and inanities that will alternately make you laugh and cry. An intriguing memoir of a life-changing experience, "Prison Journal" provides an eye-opening look at a senseless system that squanders countless dollars on rigid bureaucracy and hypocritical rehabilitation efforts. And nine insightful recommendations look to move the prison system beyond the wasteful warehousing of nonviolent offenders to healing social wounds.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1500137332
• ISBN13: 9781500137335
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An eye opener

I could hardly put the book down. Wonderfully written! A story of nobility and courage amidst a justice system that went awry. The journal entries were a lesson on dignity and fortitude. Along with these lessons of moral character the writings were humorous, inspiring and touching. The most exasperating part of this novel were the countless examples of the senseless monies spent year after year to house non violent 1st offenders. A prison system more concerned about their own jobs rather than the welfare of our country. This book changed my original belief of lock 'em up and throw away the key to that of, the punishment must truly fit the crime.

Excellent writing! Terrific insights on prison reform needs.

Timilty writes from a career in politics and how he was caught up in an aggressive AG's effort to widen a political dragnet in Beantown. His well written tome (with a fine assist from Boston Globe writer Jack Thomas)moves fast, articulates prison life from the inside and calls for reform in first non-violent sentencing guidelines.