It was my privilege as a retired museum professional to take part in feasibility discussions, exploring the potential of refurbishing the affectionately referred to Old Jailhouse. Those participating were given a tour that included time in the second-floor cells. At that moment, I recalled conversations regarding literature created by the incarcerated.
While there are many titles that fall into the category, “created (or inspired) under lock and key,” these are my recommendations for additions to your 2022 reading list, with assistance-on-the-ready from our Patrick Heath Public Library staffers:
• Jack Henry Abbott, “In the Belly of the Beast” – Norman Mailler wrote and received the Pulitzer Prize for “Executioner’s Song” based on the execution of Gary Gilmore. Jack Abbott, a prisoner in a Utah prison, sent Mailler a “fan letter” suggesting Gilmore had not been truthful to him about prison life. Abbott told Mailler he would write a more factual record of time spent imprisoned, and Mailler took him up on the offer.
