The author, Glenn Langohr paints the culture into words and takes you on a journey into the belly of the beast where in this instance, a drug debt is on the verge of sparking a gang war.
The author spent 10 years inside the most violent prisons in California on drug charges. Lock Up Diaries is a depiction of life inside prison and a look at the political landscape between races who are segregated by cell. The amazing details of prison life - code words that prisoners use, explanations of how they communicate from cell to cell - really make you feel you have entered a different world, or like you are watching a movie about prison life. The story shows how race riots that can kill prisoners can be started for very small and seemingly unimportant reasons, and how violence permeates every aspect of prison life.
Excerpt
The state bus had 42 California prisoners in it bouncing with every bump on dilapidated
shocks. I, who answered to B.J, was like the rest of the prisoners fighting for a more
comfortable way to sit handcuffed at the wrist to waist chains with feet locked at the
ankles in more chains. The constant grinding noise from the moving chains combined
with the sound of the squeaking shocks, this was our symphony of destruction.
Professional Reviews
Orange County Weekly
"Lock Up Diaries takes you inside of the California prison system where inmates are segregated by race. A piercing look inside of prison where violence seems to be what the guards want, where they can get paid time and a half for riots and instigating them becomes normal. B.J a drug criminal takes the readers on a view never before seen, where interaction with the warden, gang investigators and counselors actually promote gang allegience!"
Brent Hammond Sr. Los Angeles Journal
I always wondered how drugs and alcohol made it into prisons and jails, and this book not only answered the question, it also gave a penetrating look at what happens to the debtors who can't afford the drugs but partake anyway! A look at the prison yard and how different races deal with problems that seem to come up continuously.
Lisa
I really enjoyed this one! It's the first I've read in the series, but I felt as if I knew the main character anyway. I gave 4 stars cuz I felt a bit confused by what some of the prison jargon meant & the author could have helped clarify that a bit more.
This is a well written book that's captivating and riviting at times. It deals with real life issues and I would recommend the book to anyone. I'm going to buy another of this author for sure... 5 stars... brilliant!
A passionate and poignant memoir written by a woman whose life has been guided by the words: "I am here to learn how to love well." The book is a deep examination of relationships, family, motivation, and honoring of the Self.
Rosetta was born in 1909 as the youngest of ten children. The family had more laughter than money and neighbors would knock on their door to ask, "Can we come in and laugh, too?"
