Jailhouse Journalism: The Fourth Estate Behind Bars »

This is a paperbound reprint of a 1998 book (McFarland), with a new introduction by the author. Morris—a historian, author, and high school teacher—presents a history of newspapers printed behind bars in America from 1800 to the present. He examines the stories and the people behind penal newspapers at Sing Sing, San Quentin, and other famous prisons; and he discusses some larger issues, such as the chronicling of wrongful imprisonment, censorship, and the decline of the prison press in recent years. Appended are a list of American Penal Press contest winners from 1965 to 1990 and a list of prison publications by state including dates of publication.

Annotation © Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Booknews

Morris provides a history of newspapers printed behind bars in America from 1800 to the present. In what he believes to be only the second book ever published on the subject, the author examines the stories and the people behind a number of penal newspapers, such as those at Sing Sing, San Quentin, and other famous prisons. He also discusses some larger issues, such as the chronicling of wrongful imprisonment, censorship, and the decline of the prison press in recent years. Appends a listing of American Penal Press contest winners from 1965 to 1990 and a list of prison publications by state including dates of publication. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.