A review by paulataua
Waiting for an Echo: The Madness of American Incarceration by Christine Montross

4.0

You have to fully support any book that outlines the horrors of aspects of social policy even when they present little that surprises. It is an important read. Montross exposes the ease with which the mentally ill can find themselves thrust into the penal system and the atrocious conditions and treatment that they, and other prisoners, are subjected to. Once exposed the author moves on to suggest alternative and more enlightened approaches, leaning heavily on examples from Scandinavia. All very admirable! Unfortunately, the one thing that really did hit home for me was the discussion of Nutraloaf, an apparently foul tasting mess that meets dietary requirements and is often given to inmates in the US who misbehave. I couldn’t help thinking how the book is talking of enlightening people about more humane ways of treating inmates when those presently responsible for and involved in prisons are really not the least bit interested in being humane. Please read!