Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of "Free" by Lauren Kessler. I was a Criminal Justice major in college and have always been fascinated with the incarcerated and their journey back to the freedom of the outside world. Lauren Kessler follows six individuals as they make their reentry into society. It is gripping, moving, and presents a real world, ground view of what ex-inmates face on the outside. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the criminal justice system in this country.

Free is an eye-opening and mind-blowing account of six people who are released from incarceration and the two years that follow. I learned so much from this book and it truly made me think in a new way about the way we handle punishment and incarceration in the US. I truly enjoyed every minute. Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in return for my honest review.

Thought provoking and insightful, Free by Lauren Kessler questions the perception that a large segment of the population has about people that are in prison and the impact of the narrative surrounding their release. The tagline of the book captures the story to be told.

I personally have my own beliefs and thoughts involving this subject but was honestly stopped in my tracks reading these point of views that we don't get to see. The author from various methods and interpretations brought together the voices of people who had committed various crimes, including at young ages, and shared their arduous journey to the other side and the ups and downs of acclimating back into society.

I found the book very interesting because the natural reaction to someone who commits a crime is send them to jail for life or death penalty depending on the crime and that's it. If you are related to a victim or something was done to you personally, there is no absolution or belief in rehabilitation. In many circumstances that is correct but when you come across some of the cases such as in the book, it opens up the conversation of the possibility of that part of the population that either committed crimes at young ages and the ones who have completely transformed their lives, is this possible they can change? Are they entitled or deserve a second chance at life?

The book presented something that we rarely seen in many cases that we hear about. There isn't much conversation about their background and circumstances that influenced their behavior that contributed to their poor decision but many of the mainstream narratives are based on their socioeconomic background or race. Along with this, for those who get out, how do we expect them to be productive, redemptive citizens when they aren't getting opportunities to continue reformation or to productively contribute to society. This along with reading their journey really challenges your thoughts on the system and just generally presents a narrative hopefully you are opened to reading about.

Overall, the book was a good read. Hopefully this will open conversation and inspire dialogue about the judicial system, rehabilitation and ways communities can support to improve the recidivism rate by helping those who want a second chance to give back in life.

Lauren Kessler has compiled a vast trove of data about the "afterlife" of imprisonment. Following six individuals after their release from prison, she highlights the many challenges faced by former prisoners attempting to re-enter society. "Former prisoners" is actually a misnomer; most convicts remain prisoners even after their release, bound by a web of laws and policies that regulate where they can live, work, travel; with whom they can associate; and in what activities they can engage. A challenging read, but definitely worthwhile and enlightening.

Lauren Kessler has written a very interesting book about something that we probably don't think about all that often-what contributes to us having one of the highest prison populations in the world and why do so many who get out end up back in jail? This book gives some insight into that question by following six people who have entered into prison for various reasons. Some of the subjects chronicled here have been in prison since they were very young. Others have been in over half their lives while others have been in and out of the system countless times. What the book shows is that all of them face an extremely tough set of circumstances when released because there are shockingly few resources available to help the formerly incarcerated transition back into a normal productive life. Here we see former prisoners facing very restrictive parole requirements, jobs that are off limits to former felons, lack of a support system that will help them obtain basics upon release-housing, education, addiction treatment and more. That coupled with many relying on no family support or their support system being comprised of people they should avoid in order to be successful means a very real chance of other offenses and ending up right back in prison again. I felt that this book was engaging and did an excellent job of covering the topic without getting bogged down with calling into question the crimes of those profiled. The focus is not on whether they did or did not deserve to be in prison. Instead it deftly tackles the "what now and why are we failing so spectacularly at reintegrating former prisoners back into society?" Very thought provoking read.

Compelling and enlightening read about the life of individuals upon their release from prison. Often the focus is on what occurred prior to incarceration and once convicted, the person is written off. Re-entry is typically a failure and is just a revolving door. There is a need to address limiting this revolving door. Rehabilitation might not be possible for the entire population, but there is enough that could benefit from some more coordinated rehabilitation efforts, and even a modest reduction in recidivism would be a net positive for society.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Real Rating: 4.5* of five, rounded up because it's so deeply involving

I'm the sort of bleeding-heart liberal who wrote to prisoners in for long stretches back when my hands could still write. I had one guy parole to my address. He was one of the luckier ones...his dad's car was his, he had a nest egg from dad's death, and he made it okay through re-entry. (Explaining ATMs was the mind-blowing moment of complete freak-out for him...a few years later it was the cellphone that utterly destroyed his brain.) But he was very, very lucky and knew it.

Many more aren't. We, as a society, have made our laws such that anyone who went to prison was effectively unemployable and unusable after that. Now, having read my reviews of <a href="https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2022/05/how-fascism-works-politics-of-us-and.html">How Fascism Works</a> and <a href="https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2022/05/racism-not-race-answers-to-frequently.html">Racism, Not Race</a>, do some threads come together in your privileged mind?

Not one iota of this is accidental. It is designed carefully to have the effects it does. And on whom it does. You who vote for GOP candidates are disproportionately to blame for this tragic, wasteful, and hideously costly disaster that unfolds out of sight. "Law and order" is second only to "horrified and heartbroken" in the right-wing litany of useless at best, and harmful at worst, mealy-mouthing.

What Author Kessler has done with her trademark facility is immerse herself into situations hitherto privately endured, suffered through, floundered deeper into. It's her gift. From the ridiculous (<I>Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, & My Midlife Quest to Dance The Nutcracker</i>, 2015) to poignant (<I>Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's</i>, 2007) to flat-out hilarious (<I>My Teenage Werewolf: A Mother, a Daughter, a Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence</i>, 2010), she's been in the thick of stuff lots of us endure without guidance, and brought back either—or more often both—wisdom or insight. She does it again here, with the afterlife of prisoners as "free" people. I know you're shocked.

A big part of what led Author Kessler to this topic was her frequent writing classes taught to incarcerated people. It's a shocking, unfathomable truth that teaching people to reach into themselves and bring out stories...their own or made-up ones...is a giant benefit to them! Imagine such a thing! And now imagine how comparatively few prisons offer such a simple, inexpensive thing....

I digress. So Author Kessler knew firsthand what was going to happen before she decided to do her party trick and get into the nitty-gritty. When she does that, she brings the reader a volume of emotional reality that is hard to endure, but impossible to ignore. There are statistics. There is research and its concomitant eye-smartingly dull prose (that missing half-star making sense now?). But mostly, there's Arnoldo and Vicki and Leah and Sterling...there's a solid undertone in even the least scintillating passages that ties it to a person whose real life this is, and thus made this reader care deeply.

It's hard to reach in and grab one's tiny remaining blossom of empathy to pluck and give to troubled, law-breaking people. And that's why I keep trying. I don't want to, but I also don't want to live in that world. The one that has room only for Me and Those Like Me. Because that world's never done a good turn for this particular reader and writer, has conditionally accepted what I offered only to eject me from its benefits when I wasn't able to keep giving.

I'm hugely lucky, compared to the folks who're leaving prison. I have a lifeline they lack: The System works for old white men like me because it's meant to work for us. So I do this. I read their stories, I tell you about that reading, and say "you should read this, it's important that you know what's happening in your name."

Consider it said.

Free: Two Years, Six Lives, and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler.

It's said that 94% of of the millions of American men and women who go to prison, are released. But what happens after that? How do they navigate this ever changing world after being sequestered for so long? Lauren Kessler dives in to investigate how these people live, how they face the stigmatism of being a former inmate, and all of the challenges that they face. We often think of former inmates as "bad" and maybe some think of them as being unworthy, etc. And of course, those with much horrible crimes definitely fit into those categories. But those with the lesser chargers, who do get released, most of them are just trying to make it out in this world and better themselves once they are released. This was a real eye-opening book and I am glad I was able to read a copy of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It took me much longer than I expected to get through this book and it was incredibly thought-provoking. Free tells the story of six formerly incarcerated people and the challenges they face as they attempt to navigate the world after release. It's a candid, eye-opening book that sheds light on the difficulties formerly incarcerated people face and their uphill battle of attempting to build a life outside the prison system. I highly recommend this book and think that it should be required reading for anyone interested in or studying the justice system. It exposes many flaws in our system of "justice" and shows how we fail those who have been incarcerated.

Thank you Lauren Kessler and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

The synopsis on the book gives a good description of what the idea behind this book is about. I have never really thought about what happens to kids when they are incarcerated and released as adults. There is so much growth and maturing that happens to any minor to adulthood and I can only imagine the changes and dynamics that occur when one is incarcerated. This book is about 6 different individuals, all minors , all from different backgrounds, different crimes, and different stories. Their journey and attempt to assimilate and absorb life outside of prison. Trying to merge into a society that isn't the same as it was when you were incarcerated. I don't mean society itself (even though it does change) but the difference between a minor verses an adult and learning experiences and growth that should occur while in prison. Is our justice system preparing, counseling, and providing the adequacy that these individuals need to thrive in our communities when released. Do we provide the continuous care and support they need to overcome obstacles. Regardless of my perspective, we certainly can know that we need to ensure we are preparing these individuals to return to society and continuing to provide the needs, resources, and help. Each individual will be different, it's not a one service fits all approach. I enjoyed Lauren Kessler's research and writing and just the thought-provoking journey that she took me on.

Thank you Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Free" and all opinions expressed are my own. Not an easy read. The information was interesting but so much detail. I would have preferred more of the stories. Lots of statistics which makes it harder to stay focused on the story.

This is an extremely thought-provoking study on the uphill battles of six individuals who are released from prison after serving their sentences. The crimes vary and nothing is sugarcoated here. This was so eye-opening to read, but also potentially difficult book to read for people who have been victims of crime or have loved ones who were victims. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting study based on facts, not emotions. I would definitely recommend for people interested in reform and learning from other perspectives.

A delicately written true story of prisoners AFTER their incarceration. This is a beautiful deep dive into the stories of men and women reintegrating into a world set up for their failure. As heavy as the topics are, it is an easy and beautiful read.

Free is the type of book that leaves you thinking about the real life characters long after you finish their stories. Heartbreaking and hopeful, their stories are compassionately told by Lauren Kessler. I found myself so angry and appalled at the American justice system. This should be required reading in high schools.

I haven't read too much about recidivism or what re-entry is like for the incarcerated, so the topic of this book was fascinating. Kessler follows six individuals as they emerge from prison and what their struggles are like. I had no idea how truly difficult and nearly impossible these challenges are, so I've finished this book with a newfound respect for this population. However, I felt like it was hard for me to truly connect with these people because the structure of the book was a little all over the place. I would have loved separate sections that were dedicated to each person's struggle so that I could focus on one at a time (and better keep their stories straight). Kessler has clearly done a ton of research and spent countless hours working with the incarcerated, so she definitely knows her subject intimately. I was just thrown off by the flow of the book. It has inspired me to do more reading on the topic of the incarcerated and re-entry though, so perhaps the goal of the book was still achieved.

A great examination of life after incarceration. This was written well and kept me engaged throughout

We have all heard how hard it is for released prisoners to re-enter society. Lauren Kessler actually walks alongside 6 individuals as they fight for their freedom and eventually gain it, only to be thrust into a world that has passed them by that they have to navigate alone.

For those who enter prison as teenagers, it’s as if their brains stopped developing on entry into prison life. So when they walk back into society, they may be in their 30’s or 40’s, but they still think like a teenager, particularly when it comes to relationships. They never got to experience dating for fun so they may now bounce around from person to person as their brains unpause to catch up with their peers.

The same is true for employment. Those who entered prison young never had a chance to work. But now they need a job and have only the skills they were able to learn while locked up. It’s no surprise that the recidivism rate is so high.

There has to be a better way than the system we currently have. Kessler’s intention is not to fix the system on her own, but to open the eyes of many to the real people who are affected by all the flaws. Her compassion is evident throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a digital ARC and Sourcebooks for a finished copy of this book.

This is a book that draws you in from the very beginning and has changed the way that I look at the criminal justice system. The stories that were told were moving and honest and provided me with a better understanding of a system that I only know of from what I hear and see in the media. My favorite story of all that were told was Sterling's. I'm actually quite sad that we don't know if he got his release. I will be looking out for news to see if he gets released as I am rooting for him.

The stories are moving and told in a way that are relatable and make you want the characters to get their happy endings. I'm rooting for all of them.

Wow, this is a thinker read. I was left with so many thoughts and feelings. I admit I really never thought about what happens after prison, really happens. Being a victim of a terrible crime, I thought I didn't care. Then I read this book. I found I d care, I want them to be successful citizens. I still don't believe all can be rehabilitated or released but some can and should. The people represented here all very different, all with little chance of not returning to the system. That shocked me. How can our justice system be so messed up ? The cycle is not good for anyone, it costs money and ruins lives. So now, they are out they paid for their crime, they walk out of there and start what ? Gods, what do they do ? This is scary. The author goes over the choices, or lack of them, the support or lack of. So what happens ? Who finances this ?
This is a book schools should read it need a group discussion. There are so many levels, so many sides, it's mind boggling. The way it is now isn't working, so what now ?
4.5 stars rounded up

An immersive and powerful account on individuals who are released from prison and the struggles of re-entry into society. Lauren Kessler provides voice to the six former prisoners in sharing their stories and their experience they face once released from prison and re-entering society.

Impressive feat was the diverse voices of the six former prisoners that provided for humanizing these individuals instead of being written off as another statistic. Through Kessler's nuance, she masterfully delivers the human connection, empathetic perspective and the emotionally moving testament that was sobering yet inspirational. The stamina, drive and the crave for self-education from these individuals permeated so much beauty and their tenacious spirit. Kessler's thorough research is evidenced in her writing not shying away from the bleak factual information in the outlook of our prison system's lack of resources and the most-needed improvement in our justice system. The statistics and reliable sources are referenced and support the provided data. Kessler's sharp and compassionate writing captured the essence of humanity and their resilience. The six former prisoners' stories pierced my heart yet brought hope in mankind as well. Such captivating immersion reporting that was both moving and educational. This is so far one of my best reads of this year (and yes, we are still early in the year). Highly recommended for an eye-opening experience that shines a troubling light to the truth but the triumphant spirit that never wavers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.