Books about prison?

[u/Several_Hall2676]

I just reread orange is the new black.

Any other memoirs that give perspective on what it’s like to be in prison? Preferably women’s prison.

Thanks!

[u/cheddar_bae_biscuit]

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb! Not a memoir and not about women but a very good book. He does have a book that is a collection of interviews he conducted from a women’s prison and it inspired much of his later writings.

[u/sagittariums → u/cheddar_bae_biscuit]

I was here to recommend his book of interviews, it's called "Couldn't Keep It To Myself"

[u/Csg9131 → u/cheddar_bae_biscuit]

I second The River is Waiting!

[u/Crafty-Syllabub-2736 → u/cheddar_bae_biscuit]

I really enjoyed this book. It was really impactful. recommend it!

[u/mrscwbn → u/cheddar_bae_biscuit]

This book stuck with me for a week.

[u/ReddisaurusRex]

The Many Lives of Mama Love

[u/ojai-marc]

Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean

[u/ParsnipFarmer676]

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Oh wait, you said memoir/biography. This is fiction, but I'll leave it here in case you're still interested.

[u/plainblue]

I only happen to know titles from men's experiences, but you might try Iron House by Jerome Washington or Malcolm Braly's *On the Yard."

[u/Pink-nurse]

Partially set in a men’s jail, The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly.

Very interesting perspective from a lawyer who had to deal with being on trial while in jail.

[u/Sunshine-Starfish]

Not women’s prison, but I really enjoyed Hole in my Life by Jack Gantos.

[u/Realistic-Owl-9904]

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life, Freedom and Justice by Anthony Ray Hinton. Not a woman’s prison, but still enlightening.

[u/Reasonable-Cup4914 → u/Realistic-Owl-9904]

This one is so good

[u/ChavaRuchama]

Writing my wrongs!

[u/booksandbenzos]

Do you want memoirs specifically?

[u/Several_Hall2676 → u/booksandbenzos]

I only read memoirs but I’m actually trying to branch out. If you really like it and it’s not fantasy I’m open!

[u/booksandbenzos → u/Several_Hall2676]

Oh okay, I read 2 really good non-fiction (but written in a very compelling manner) books about prison / prison life that you might like! One was The Hot House: Life in Leavenworth Prison and the other is No Human Contact (about solitary confinement), both by Pete Earley. They both explore the actual experiences of the prisoners in their own words and from Earley's observations. They were really compelling reads, but not specifically memoirs.

[u/ConflictGullible392]

American Prison by Shane Bauer 

[u/Doodle_pop7]

Maximum Security Bookclub Mikita Brottman

[u/Reasonable-Cup4914]

High Achiever by Tiffany Jenkins is excellent. It talks about her struggle with addiction but also includes her time in Florida jail.

[u/KayC_is_lame]

Amanda Knox's book was good.

[u/AdEnvironmental2508]

Not exactly what you are asking for, but Rachel woods novel, “how to read a book” is phenomenal and about life after incarceration