Once You're Inside: Poems Exploring Incarceration

Once Youre Inside is a poetry collection that details Ann Brackens volunteer experiences working in prison-based writing programs. Prison had been the last place on her mind when she thought about volunteering. Why would she want to work with those people--drug dealers and gang members? But after a few visits she was so impressed with the mens keen insights humility and passion for learning that she volunteered regularly for three years in two Maryland prisons. Her friends and family were concerned for her safety every time she went back. The incarcerated people are not who you think they are she assured them. The men and women Bracken met hungered to learn yet most of their educations were halted at the GED level. And many of them like Vincent had grown up in foster care and spent half their lives in prison. Another man Ryan told her I came here when I was 15. Im 40 now. But the most heartbreaking line that Bracken heard was this from one of the women: Youre the first new person weve seen in seven years. The poems in Once Youre Inside will introduce readers to memorable characters living in harsh and inhumane conditions. People who are willing to contribute to their communities in positive ways if only someone would give them a chance.