Prison Ragout

<I>Prison Ragout</I> describes Pop's experience as a first-timer 58 year-old Ph.D. white guy during seventeen months of incarceration. The book portrays the other inmates the COs and the psychological impact of the penal system.</p><p> From county jail Pop is transferred to a classification center. Controlling the tier TV and fear of HIV were the major cultural factors. A medical exam confirms Pop's hypertension and a recent back operation and results in a stipulation that he is to have a bottom bunk and be given a job requiring minimum use of arms and shoulders. Upon returning to the tier the COs tears up the medical stipulation. </p><p>Pop is assigned to a prison where the medical system 'runs out' of hypertension medication. Pop is given a job on the kitchen cleanup crew; work requiring lots of use of arms and shoulders. </p><p> Pop changes cellmates four times. One is a lifer who is a jailhouse lawyer. Another filched food from the officer's dining room (with the acquiescence of the COs) and sells it on the tier. A third played the stock market. The fourth was a racist and studying for a GED. </p><p>Inmates get killed OD and commit suicide but the greatest harm is caused by the inhumane environment. The book shows that violence and brutality can take subtle forms.