Scan barcode
Reviews
Prison by Any Other Name: The Harmful Consequences of Popular Reforms by Maya Schenwar, Victoria Law
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
Good stuff to consider- for example, I hadn’t really thought about How what sounds benign/beneficial (eg. Getting more people into mental health services) could mean turning mental health services/hospitals more into prisons than they already are. This book also touched on house arrest and its troubles, school policing, and Restorative Justice, and community Justice. I think it didn’t go far enough into how poor training in things that seem good (Restorative Justice) can have less good outcomes. But you definitely get a “This is a learning process for everyone” vibe, which is good.
rosepoints's review
5.0
in "prison by any other name", schwenwar and law discuss how alternatives to incarceration such as electronic monitoring and mandated psychiatric treatment are just as dominating and controlling as incarceration. these alternatives may seem like they are kinder and more humane than prison, but in truth, they only allow the state to surveil, control, and imprison more people.
i am still new to abolitionism, and although i do not believe in carceral punishment, i was shocked to found out that alternatives like electric monitoring, house arrest, and enforced drug and psychiatric centers were just as punitive as prison. i found that the authors were able to engage me, even on matters i felt quite conflicted about. for instance, they brought up the issue of recidivism and the spectrum of offenses that could require documentation in the sex offender database, and they were able to weave in statistics and other people's narratives seamlessly. i still feel conflicted about the sex offender database due to my own experience with SA, but i feel more neutral about it than i did before reading the book.
i do struggle with how so many of the solutions seem to put the onus of the burden on the victim. for instance, their example of restorative justice for a SA victim required the willing participation of the victim and assaulter (and the community members holding the circle) for over a year. i don't think that's a realistic expectation to hold for victims who are impacted by crimes like sexual and domestic violence. there's no distinction between long-term vs immediate responses to a crime, and i feel like that would've been helpful in a chapter about alternative solutions. however, that gripe is overshadowed by the rest of the book. utterly thought-provoking and gripping.
i am still new to abolitionism, and although i do not believe in carceral punishment, i was shocked to found out that alternatives like electric monitoring, house arrest, and enforced drug and psychiatric centers were just as punitive as prison. i found that the authors were able to engage me, even on matters i felt quite conflicted about. for instance, they brought up the issue of recidivism and the spectrum of offenses that could require documentation in the sex offender database, and they were able to weave in statistics and other people's narratives seamlessly. i still feel conflicted about the sex offender database due to my own experience with SA, but i feel more neutral about it than i did before reading the book.
i do struggle with how so many of the solutions seem to put the onus of the burden on the victim. for instance, their example of restorative justice for a SA victim required the willing participation of the victim and assaulter (and the community members holding the circle) for over a year. i don't think that's a realistic expectation to hold for victims who are impacted by crimes like sexual and domestic violence. there's no distinction between long-term vs immediate responses to a crime, and i feel like that would've been helpful in a chapter about alternative solutions. however, that gripe is overshadowed by the rest of the book. utterly thought-provoking and gripping.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
ncrozier's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an excellent introduction to abolition. Clearly written, covers a variety of topics, really makes you start asking questions.
jazramage's review against another edition
5.0
Biggest takeaway was the answer to the question: "What about serial killers, or other truly ireedemably violent people? What would we do about them if we got rid of police and prisons?"
Schenwar says we're not anywhere near that question yet, and to require an answer before we're willing to make changes for the rest of imprisoned people is to ask in bad faith. We have so long to go before we actually reach a point where that question becomes relevant to policy development, and will learn so much about justice reform in the interim as we try new approaches and policies. So, let's get started!
Schenwar says we're not anywhere near that question yet, and to require an answer before we're willing to make changes for the rest of imprisoned people is to ask in bad faith. We have so long to go before we actually reach a point where that question becomes relevant to policy development, and will learn so much about justice reform in the interim as we try new approaches and policies. So, let's get started!
carolynrasp's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very eye opening book about some of the prison alternatives that are basically just prisons without walls. A lot of this I've probably thought about in a superficial way, but the examples and evidence the authors provide really helped me think more deeply about probation, electronic monitoring, SROs, etc. While I'm not completely sold on the abolitionist idea, I am intrigued by a lot of the alternatives suggested. Well researched, and an accessible read for everyone. Highly suggest reading if you have any interest in criminal justice reform.