American jails and prisons confine nearly 13.5 million people each year, and it is estimated that six to seven percent of the population will be confined in their lifetimes. Despite these disturbing numbers, little is known about life inside beyond the mythology of popular culture. Michael Santos has dedicated the last two decades of his life to changing that. In his first book for a mainstream audience, he takes us behind bars and into the cellblock. Santos captures the voices of his fellow prisoners with perfect pitch, the tragic and at times inspiring stories from drug schemes, murders for hire, and even a prostitution ring that trades on the flesh of female prison guards. This book at last illuminates the varied ways in which men experience life behind bars in America.

American jails and prisons confine nearly 13.5 million people each year, and it is estimated that six to seven percent of the population will be confined in their lifetimes. Despite these disturbing numbers, little is known about life inside beyond the mythology of popular culture. Michael Santos has dedicated the last two decades of his life to changing that. In his first book for a mainstream audience, he takes us behind bars and into the cellblock. Santos captures the voices of his fellow prisoners with perfect pitch, the tragic and at times inspiring stories from drug schemes, murders for hire, and even a prostitution ring that trades on the flesh of female prison guards. This book at last illuminates the varied ways in which men experience life behind bars in America.

American jails and prisons confine nearly 13.5 million people each year, and it is estimated that six to seven percent of the population will be confined in their lifetimes. Despite these disturbing numbers, little is known about life inside beyond the mythology of popular culture. Michael Santos has dedicated the last two decades of his life to changing that. In his first book for a mainstream audience, he takes us behind bars and into the cellblock. Santos captures the voices of his fellow prisoners with perfect pitch, the tragic and at times inspiring stories from drug schemes, murders for hire, and even a prostitution ring that trades on the flesh of female prison guards. This book at last illuminates the varied ways in which men experience life behind bars in America.