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mcloonejack's review against another edition
5.0
It’s easy to understand why this became such a ubiquitous entry point into more radical thought around policing and incarceration, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read it.
So many of the (often bad faith) critiques of radical literature of this type is that it gets “too” alarmist/idealistic/intersectionalist etc etc, but it would be hard to even squint and levy those charges against Are Prisons Obsolete, no matter how ridiculous they are anyways. It’s about as clear-eyed as you can be, walking through the history of prisons and punishment, making it clear that how we handle both are complete disasters from a humanity perspective. This is not done by harping against prisons in a literal sense; it’s done by plainly stating the abhorrent facts of the matter. In fact, one of the more impactful things about this book isn’t in it at all, because it couldn’t be: that things have only gotten worse, and that has only become more apparent (and visible to those who haven’t even read this book yet).
Even if you’re someone who isn’t necessarily sympathetic to this point of view, you should read this book with an open mind to understand the viewpoint of prison abolitionists: this is largely the guiding light. And it’s a quick read, at that.
“If, however, we shift our attention from the prison, per-
ceived as an isolated institution, to the set of relationships that comprise the prison industrial complex, it may be easier to think about alternatives. In other words, a more complicated framework may yield more options than if we sim ply attempt to discover a single substitute for the prison system. The first step, then, would be to let go of the desire to discover one single alternative system of punishment that would occupy the same footprint as the prison system.”
So many of the (often bad faith) critiques of radical literature of this type is that it gets “too” alarmist/idealistic/intersectionalist etc etc, but it would be hard to even squint and levy those charges against Are Prisons Obsolete, no matter how ridiculous they are anyways. It’s about as clear-eyed as you can be, walking through the history of prisons and punishment, making it clear that how we handle both are complete disasters from a humanity perspective. This is not done by harping against prisons in a literal sense; it’s done by plainly stating the abhorrent facts of the matter. In fact, one of the more impactful things about this book isn’t in it at all, because it couldn’t be: that things have only gotten worse, and that has only become more apparent (and visible to those who haven’t even read this book yet).
Even if you’re someone who isn’t necessarily sympathetic to this point of view, you should read this book with an open mind to understand the viewpoint of prison abolitionists: this is largely the guiding light. And it’s a quick read, at that.
“If, however, we shift our attention from the prison, per-
ceived as an isolated institution, to the set of relationships that comprise the prison industrial complex, it may be easier to think about alternatives. In other words, a more complicated framework may yield more options than if we sim ply attempt to discover a single substitute for the prison system. The first step, then, would be to let go of the desire to discover one single alternative system of punishment that would occupy the same footprint as the prison system.”
cleothegreat's review against another edition
5.0
such an interesting perspective esp after reading the new jim crow !! wow!!
nikkim167's review against another edition
1.5
A book with a lot of facts about how much prisons suck, presented in both written form and audio delivery like a high schooler giving a power point presentation.
Take my review with a grain of salt as I am new to both nonfiction and audiobooks. I found this to be structured poorly and delivered as a textbook which made it supremely boring. As someone who mostly reads fiction but is interested in learning more about political reform and educating myself about daily walks of life, I need something far different in order to take in and retain information like this.
A++ on the actual info delivered tho
Take my review with a grain of salt as I am new to both nonfiction and audiobooks. I found this to be structured poorly and delivered as a textbook which made it supremely boring. As someone who mostly reads fiction but is interested in learning more about political reform and educating myself about daily walks of life, I need something far different in order to take in and retain information like this.
A++ on the actual info delivered tho
thejadedhippy's review against another edition
5.0
a clear and concise read on the prison industrial complex well worth the read. I only wish there was some acknowledgment of trans and queer people in prison, as they are another group of people that the pic is using to expand and empower itself.
four and a half stars.
four and a half stars.
lolapasteque's review against another edition
4.0
Bel essai où Angela Davis revient sur les raisons pour lesquelles il faudrait abolir la prison. + Qu'est-ce que la prison aux États-Unis représente ? Que développer en réaction à l'abolition de la prison ?
La réponse est évidente : oui, la prison est obsolète, et depuis bien longtemps.
La réponse est évidente : oui, la prison est obsolète, et depuis bien longtemps.
bino00's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
Down with prisons, down with capitalism, and with all oppressive systems!