Prison Stories

Seth Ferranti's "Prison Stories" is really a memoir, one of many prison memoirs I read in recent years. It's a relatively mediocre example of the genre, though not necessarily the worst. Ferranti's writing is not especially sophisticated. Nor is his personal story particularly compelling. The fact that he can write competently, however, makes him quite a cut above the average prison inmate. His status as yet another white boy trying to be down with the Esses does not; nor does his situation as just another pot-head drug dealer caught in the system. The same rather familiar story applies to his personal redemption, in which his aspiration to be an legit gansta is seen for what it is -- a dead end ending in life on the inside or the grave -- is just that. The one thing that recommends this story is that it's situated at an interesting moment in the history of imprisonment in America: in the late 1970s and early 80s, when both the population and spread of STDs in American prisons were exploding, and when drug-related offenses were becoming the dominant underlying cause for incarceration. For those like me with a particular interest in prison studies, Ferranti's story should probably be on your reading list. Otherwise, there are far more compelling and insightful prison memoirs out there for the more general reader.

I like non fiction accounts of prison life, and this book tells it all. The writing style is effective and easy to follow, although I found it hard to follow the spanish speaking parts, which weren't excessive. This book gives a glimpse into real prison life and the many hardships that that entails. He tells it like it is and gives a sobering account of everyday life. The artwork is very good, detailed and interesting. Overall, it's a good read, interesting and the price is right. I'll probably buy the other books that his website previews.

I have a friend who is in jail,and he asked for a book,because all the ones that were available to him were outdated romance novels and stuff.He said anything is better than what they have in the jail,and this sounded interesting.He said it was a pretty good book,and it kept him reading and interested.The only reason I gave this a 4 and not a 5 star is because I wa supposed to get two day shipping for my prime account,and it came 6 business days later.Besides that,he really loved the book.

Prison Stories was an excellent read. Seth Ferranti makes you feel like your there in the jail yard experiencing the events.The book opened my eyes to the corruption from within the system. Hopefully one day the system will change to a place that actaully rehabs people and doesn't just keep them in a warehouse.It also let me know that there still is are certain people who respect the convict code and gave a good bit of insite to what that really is.Great reading. AAAA++++MIke Clark

If you are really hard up for a prison book read, then go ahead. I recommend you pass on this one.I have worked in several different prisons for over 26 years and have never heard inmates talk like this guy says they talk. Granted, inmates talk in lots of slang and sometimes in coded communication so staff can't understand, but this guy makes it sound like they talk like that 24/7.Also, FYI Mr. Author. Most people have never been in prison or around people who have been, so when you talk in slang or coded language, you might want to clue your reader in to what you were actually saying. Otherwise, the reader will get bored very quickly when they have NO idea what you are talking about.