Eastern State Penitentiary & 10 Books About Prison
I have lived in this city for a while and have visited the “Terror Behind the Walls” at Eastern State Penitentiary on two occasions. Both times, I was hoarse the next day from screaming in sheer terror. I don’t know why I subject myself to the torture but, I am determined to go back and not be afraid. The best way to do this? I decided to go visit during the day and take my family with me. Read on to learn more about my adventure and get a list of 10 books about prison.
Children under the age of 7 are not allowed due to the graphic nature of the crimes committed by the inmates. There are no gruesome images; however, Steve Buscemi is the narrator for the tour and he does describe some of the crimes. The tour was absolutely fascinating- even my kids listened and were interested. Apparently, the Penitentiary itself was a marvel of engineering when it was built but, by the time it shut down, it had deteriorated to the point of no repair. Before it could be ripped down and turned into condos, people decided to step in and preserve it as a historical site. After all, it was the first prison to be built in the United States. We had a great afternoon as a family but, it could easily be a fun night out without kids as well.
The cell blocks were designed so that one guard could stand in the center of the facility and see down every cell block just by turning in a circle.
This is a panorama of 1/2 the cell blocks standing in the center of the prison
Eventually, they had to build a second story to house all of the inmates. The unique design initially had all the inmates in solitary confinement for the duration of their stay. The visit coincidentally coincided with my September book challenge- Read a book of a different genre. I chose the non-fiction Reading with Patrick by Michelle Kuo. Here are some other books about prison and one about a great prison escape!
10 Books about Prison
Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo
This is a true story about Michelle Kuo, a teacher who works with kids who live in the harshest of environments. When one of her students is jailed for murder, Michelle is committed to helping him and helping herself along the way.
An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
This book is about the life of a married couple before and after he is wrongly convicted of murder. How can you heal from the past and move on?
The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
This is another story about what happens when a man is wrongly convicted of murder and is forced to spend his life in prison. This is a powerful story about the power of will and hope, cunning and; of course, redemption.
Fiction Books Set in Prison
Bury Your Dead
Author: Louise Penny
Year: 2010
Genre: Mystery
More info: Chief Inspector Gamache #6
Age Range: 13+
Plot
This is the saddest book in the series and if you have not read any of the books in this series, do not start with this one! And if you are reading the complete series and have not read this, do not read the description!
Both Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir are on sick leave from the Surete after the events from the end of the last book and Olivier is in prison for murder. While on leave, Gamache uses the opportunity to do historical research at the Literary and Historical Society. While there, a body is discovered.
This book also revisits the murder of the Hermit from The Brutal Telling and questions Olivier’s guilt. Throughout the book, we are also following a stakeout in which Gamache has made a mistake and someone has died.
Why Jackie loves it
This is the book in the series where Louise Penny really shows us her writing chops! This book has multiple storylines, and I was invested in all of them. The book also delves into some of the mysteries of Samuel De Champlain and where he was buried. And while I am not a history buff, if Penny had written my history text books as a child, I am sure I would have loved history class.
Find this book in: Louise Penny Books in Order / Louise Penny Characters
Plot
The story features orphan Pip who comes into an unexpected fortune. His life is changed forever when he becomes a man of leisure and meets beautiful but aloof Estella. It’s a great tale that could just as easily have been set in modern-day London.
Trigger Warnings
Abuse, Classism, Racism
Why Jackie loves it
The only Charles Dickens book I’ve ever read and was recently nominated for PBS’s Great American Read. It was fantastic and complex and makes me want to read more Dickens.
Find this book in: Must-Read Classic Books / Best Long Books / Books about Orphans and Foster Care
Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Year: 1998
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 12
More info: National Book Award Winner, Newbery Medal Winner, Holes #1
Plot
When a boy under a curse is sent to a detention camp he’s taught to behave by digging holes all day, every day. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s digging for a reason – but what are the camp wardens looking to find?
Why Jackie loves it
Holes should be on every child’s list. It’s clever and will captivate the attention of any child. Read it and then watch the movie starring Shia LeBeouf.
Find this book in: Books About Camp / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / Bedtime Stories for Kids / Ultimate List of Middle Grade Books / Newbery Award Winners / Adult Versions of Favorite Childhood Books
Chain-Gang All-Stars
Author: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Year: 2023
Genre: Sci-fi
More info: May 2023 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book was a doozy in the most thought-provoking way. The story is about the stars of Chain-Gang All-Stars, the reality tv show that pits prisoners against each other in gladiator-type fights to the death.
Thurwar and Staxxx are stars of the show, brutally killing anyone they come up against, but as Thurwar gets ready to win her freedom after 3 years on TV, the creators of the show throw many hurdles in her path.
Trigger Warnings
Violence
Why Kirsten loves it
This searing look at racism and classism feels highly relevant to today’s world, when a show like this could easily exist in some states. The reality TV book was so unique. Even days later, I can’t stop thinking about the all-stars, the protesters fighting for their rights, and the stunning conclusion.
Find this book in: Dystopian Novels / Best Read With Jenna Books / Reality TV Novels / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2023
Classic Novels Set in Prison
The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexandre Dumas
Year: 1844
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Translated from French
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The first time I read this book was actually before I saw the movie Shawshank Redemption. I read it a bunch of times and loved it. I did not realize, however, that it was an abridged version.
When I was at University, I embarked on a journey to read the unabridged version of this book. I was so amazed at the brilliance and detail that it has been a favorite ever since.
Edmund Dantès is thrown into the Chateau D’If for a crime he did not commit. There, he meets a fellow prisoner who teaches him to read and write, math, languages, and how to fight, all within the confines of their cells before telling him of a treasure. When the other prisoner dies, Dantès escapes and seeks his revenge on those who had him sent to prison. All of this is set in the time of Napolean Bonaparte who is a part of the political landscape of the book.
Why Jackie loves it
There is a reason this classic is still read today. This is the original story of revenge. The writing, plot, and details in this book are unsurpassed.
Find this book in: Best Classic Novels / Books Set in France to Love / Books with Food in the Title / Best Books in Translation
The Nickel Boys
Author: Colson Whitehead
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Pulitzer Prize Winner
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Elwood Curtis is a black boy who lives in Florida in the 1960s. When Elwood is unfairly sentenced to a crime, he is sentenced to live at the Nickel Boy Academy, a horror show is disguised as a school. Sadly, it is based on a real school that existed for 111 years.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Child abuse
Why Jackie loves it
The 213 pages of this book will haunt me for a long time. Mr. Whitehead brings characters to life and holy crap can this man write. There is a reason he has won the Pulitzer Prize two times. I have had this book since the day it was released and needed to find the courage to read it. I’m so glad I did.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Black History Book List / Books Set in the 1960s / Dark Academia Books
Nonfiction Book About Prison
Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison
Author: Piper Kerman
Year: 2010
Genre: non-fiction
More info: #1 New York Times Bestseller, Netflix Original Series
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I originally read this for a book club and it was one of my favorite non-fiction books. I don’t love the now-famous Netflix series of the same name, but I did love the book.
A suburban mother goes to prison for a crime she committed a decade before. Her inside look at the American prison system is fascinating. This is one of the OG Netflix book adaptations.
Trigger Warnings
Confinement, Drug use
Why Kirsten loves it
The view of the American penal system was eye-opening. The book is so well-written, it reads like fiction and I am not surprised that Netflix adapted it to the screen.
Find this book in: Best Netflix Books Adaptations / Book With Color in the Title / Books with Food in the Title
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Stevenson’s memoir about his early career is truly eye-opening. I had no idea about the scope of injustice towards black men in the criminal justice system. The stories of the inmates on death row who were falsely accused broke my heart.
I can’t believe our country doesn’t have more reform in this area. Stevenson’s career is truly incredible and one that should be commended. I’m very interested in seeing the movie now. If you are looking for a nonfiction that reads like a novel, this is the perfect pick. It is a perfect pick from nonfiction books for beginners.
