If you follow the news in Newfoundland and Labrador, Jack Whalen's story is on your radar. Before seeing him with his replica of the solitary confinement cell he was kept in at the Whitbourne Boys' Home, I would never have believed such atrocities occurred in this province. Yes there was Mount Cashel, but that was sexual abuse by priests, which by now, we understand to have been happening the world over. And unlike the Mount Cashel victims, or victims of sexual abuse at the Whitbourne Boys' Home, Jack could not have his day in court due to the statute of limitations on childhood abuse that was not sexual. Because of lobbying by Jack and his family, and other people seeking justice, the provincial government passed a bill in May 2024 that removes time limits for victims of childhood abuse, including assault, battery and unlawful confinement. In this book, the magnificent writer Lisa Moore weaves together Jack's story of loneliness and abuse, and also love and healing.

Jack Whalen was just a teenager when he was incarcerated in a “boy’s home” in Newfoundland. This is the story of his fight for justice against the government of Nfld for the abusive treatment he received. Through his efforts the statute of limitations against child abuse by the government was amended.

Stories like this are so important to be told. They are a heartbreaking part of our history and they must be out in the world for us to learn to do better. When you know better you do better. I commend the authors for creating this story and speaking out about what this country was built on and making that we can create a better future for our children to live in.

Invisible Prisons is a story that had to be told. As a fellow Canadian from Nova Scotia this story hit very close to home. Jack Whalen is courageous and Lisa Moore is one heck of a writer.
As these two collaborate to tell the horrific abuse Jack Whalen suffered as a young boy in Whitbourne Boy’s School in St. John’s Newfoundland. The more I turned the pages, the more my anger rose.
Jack was a mischievous boy, with a marvellous Mother Alice. Unfortunately Jack’s luck ran out with the law and at the age of 13, he was sent to reform school. As a Mother of 4, I couldn’t imagine the anguish Alice must of felt when they whisked Jack away, knowing there was nothing she could do.
Jack ran away from Whitbourne many times during his time there, often brought back to solitary confinement. Time and time again in a black hole isolated.
Jack Whalen is fighting to have the statute of limitations removed from sexual, child abuse cases. There needs to be justice for all victims of these institutions. Reform or residential schools that have altered the life of an innocent child need to face the consequences, no matter how much time has passed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the early copy.