Bauer had worked at the Winn Correctional Center in Winn Parish, Louisiana, then operated by Corrections Corporation of America (now CoreCivic), as an undercover journalist in 2014.[1] The book is based upon his experiences, which were initially chronicled in a 2016 Mother Jones article written by Bauer.[2] The book was released on September 18, 2018.[3] Bauer alternates between discussing his experiences at Winn and the history of incarceration in the United States.[1]
Reception
Nate Blakeslee of The New York Times wrote that "the sheer number of forehead-slapping quotes from Bauer’s superiors and fellow guards alone are worth the price of admission."[2]
Michael Schaub of National Public Radio described it as "an enraging, necessary look at the private prison system, and a convincing clarion call for prison reform."[1]
Kirkus Reviews described it as "A potent, necessary broadside against incarceration in the U.S."[4]
The book also received the Silver Medal for Non-Fiction from the California Book Awards.
