Halfway Home

An important addition to the discussion about mass incarceration ([b:The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness 6792458 The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Michelle Alexander https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328751532l/6792458.SX50.jpg 6996712] et al) because it discusses what comes afterward - the almost impossible tasks of finding a place to work and live when our laws prohibit individuals convicted of a felony from securing either one. Halfway Home is also eye opening in its portrayal of how freaking expensive it is to be in prison for the family, who have to pony up for phone calls, emails, food and supplies. Miller's personal experience as the brother and son of incarcerated men gives the book heart and validity, while his interviews and relationships with other former felons gives it a broader scope. Miller doesn't have the answer to the problem (hint: it's not “job readiness” programs that teach people how to interview and dress for jobs they are legally not allowed to have), but he deepens the understanding of a devastating problem and humanizes the lives of those we would prefer to see as “other.”