The American Prison Business

The American Prison Business, first published in 1974, provides a financial analysis of the American prison business and explores the lunacies, delusions, and bizarre inner workings of the system. It reveals the techniques used to help "violent prisoners to be 'reborn," the "rent-a-con plan," and the Special Isolation Diet. The book is a valuable resource for legislators, officials, and students of sociology, law, criminology, penology, and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1974, The American Prison Business delves into the enigmatic and peculiar aspects of the American prison system. Spanning from the initial revelation that the penitentiary is an American invention, initiated by late eighteenth-century reformers, to the startling disclosures in the chapter titled 'Cheaper than Chimpanzees,' which unveils how pharmaceutical companies exploit prisoners as human guinea pigs, every page of this book captivates and astonishes the reader. Author Jessica Mitford, in her insightful narrative, explores a range of techniques employed to aid 'violent prisoners in their quest for rebirth,' including chemical, surgical, and psychiatric interventions. She also sheds light on the motivations behind businessmen's enthusiasm for the 'rent-a-con plan,' as well as the peculiar Special Isolation Diet, which bears an uncanny resemblance to inferior dog food. Furthermore, Mitford's financial analysis of the prison business is a groundbreaking revelation. Her meticulous examination of the workings of parole offers a profound insight into the system's complexities. As the prison abolition movement gathers steam, this book will serve as a valuable resource for legislators, officials, and scholars of sociology, law, criminology, penology, and history, offering thought-provoking perspectives and insights into the intricate dynamics of the American prison system.

Weight: 810g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032354743