Year 2, Book 16

16. Life on the Outside: The Prison Odyssey of Elaine Bartlett
This first half of this book covers the arrest and imprisonment of Elaine Bartlett, who was sentenced to 20 years to life for a first time drug offense under New York state’s Rockefeller drug laws. These laws state that any class A-1 drug offense results in a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
The second half the book chronicles the 3 years after her release from prison and her struggles to make it on the outside. It gives an excellent look at the problems and issues that most prisoners face once they are released. Particularly anyone who has done significant time. I give it an 8 out of 10.