A review by jill_reads
Prison by Any Other Name: The Harmful Consequences of Popular Reforms by Maya Schenwar, Victoria Law

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Absolutely phenomenal. This book carefully and meticulously walks the reader through so many of the systems present in our society that are not literal prisons, but that nevertheless enact much of the similar control and harm. Solutions to our current punitive and trauma-perpetuating “justice” system necessarily require reconsidering how we confront and deal with harm and what NOT to do. This book addresses just that. After walking you through the ways things like child welfare, drug rehabilitation, mental health institutes, schools, and probation programs can perpetuate control, surveillance, violence, and injustice, it ends on a truly inspiring note of exploration and imagination for a world of true community safety, justice and provision of needs.

I think this book should be essential reading for anybody who lives... in a society haha. It challenges our thinking and solutions at the very root, the very definition of radical, and invites new possibilities that feel grounded and truly hopeful. 100/5 stars. Highly recommend.