A review by sbaunsgard
Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing by Ted Conover

4.0

Conover, refused access to the prison system as a journalist, went 'undercover' and became a corrections officer (prison guard) for one year at Sing Sing. The book is mostly about his daily experiences as a CO, but also includes historical background on the prison. The book also debunks cliches about prison that you see in movies and on tv. Fascinating. Similar to Gang Leader for A Day (by Sudhir Venkatesh), the experiences he has cause him to be ambivalent about his own actions and the actions of others. Conover also questions the system, as I think anyone who has taken a close look at it must.