Gifts from the Dark - (Critical Perspectives on Race, Crime, and Justice) by Joni Schwartz & John R Chaney (Paperback)

About the Book

Without minimizing the systemic injustices and disparities of mass incarceration, Gifts from the Dark challenges the mindset of incarceration as a solely one dimensional, deficit event. Instead, this book argues that the prison experience can potentially be one of transformational learning.

Book Synopsis

Without minimizing the systemic injustices and disparities of mass incarceration, Gifts from the Dark challenges the mindset of incarceration as a solely one dimensional, deficit event. Instead, this book argues that the prison experience can potentially be one of transformational learning.

Review Quotes

Here, Schwartz and Chaney brilliantly explore the theme of personal transformation enhanced by incarceration.... The authors provide numerous interesting asides, such as discussing pedagogy versus andragogy, finding happiness in prison, and coping with learning during a pandemic. They also discuss Black family cultural dynamics in comprehending the links between race and incarceration and show that electronic monitoring is not proven to support corrections.Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

About the Author

Joni Schwartz is professor of humanities at the City University of New York - LaGuardia Community College and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Graduate Studies Program.

John R. Chaney is assistant professor and director of Criminal Justice programs for City University of New York -- LaGuardia Community College.