Stanley "Tookie" Williams, cofounder of the Crips gang, has been living on death row at San Quentin State Prison since 1981. During that time, he has been confined to a cell no bigger than most bathrooms. Williams knows that prison is no place to call home. But as a child, all he knew of prison were exciting stories about "gladiator schools" – stories that made prison sound like the place to be.

Now Williams speaks out about what it's really like in prison. Rather than being a place where men can prove their toughness, prison is where men sometimes go stir-crazy, or are even killed. Williams presents a riveting account of day-to-day life behind bars, from the humiliation of strip searches to being locked in solitary confinement in the Hole. He challenges you to think about how your life would change if you lived in prison.

American Library Association Award
Life in Prison was recently honored by the American Library Association as one of their "Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers." The Quick Picks group of books consists of outstanding books that stimulate teen readers who would otherwise be reluctant to read.

Reactions
"As a psychiatrist who has been deeply concerned about the plights of inner-city children, I am delighted to see this major contribution to the well-being of our youth. A subject that could easily be overdramatized is handled with great sensitivity to the feelings of the young reader. Parents should read this book and then give it to their children. Teachers should make it a part of the school curriculum."
Peter R. Breggin, M.D., Faculty Associate
Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Counseling

"It's hard to frighten youth who see prison as a badge of honor. Tookie has achieved that delicate balance. He has removed the glamour and made tedium, frustration, and humiliation palpable. America's youth needs to read this book."
Judy Briscoe, Chief of Staff and Director of Delinquency Prevention
Texas Youth Commission

"Stanley Williams's book is an extremely important element in the quest to rescue all too many young people from a life of violence and nihilism. He has 'been there' and 'done that,' so his message rings with a truth and clarity that is inescapable. Powerful stuff."
Joe R. Hicks, Executive Director
City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission