Mr. Smith Goes to Prison

What My Year Behind Bars Taught Me About America's Prison Crisis

By: Jeff Smith

Narrated by: Jeff Smith

The fall from politico to prisoner isn't necessarily long. But the landing, as Missouri state senator Jeff Smith learned, is a hard one.

In 2009 Smith pleaded guilty to a seemingly minor charge of campaign malfeasance and earned himself a year and one day in Kentucky's FCI Manchester. Mr. Smith Goes to Prison is the fish-out-of-water story of his time in the big house, of the people he met there and the things he learned: how to escape the attentions of fellow inmate Cornbread and his friends in the Aryan Brotherhood; what constitutes a prison car and who's allowed to ride in yours; how to bend and break the rules, whether you're a prisoner or an officer. And throughout his sentence, the young senator tracked the greatest crime of all: the deliberate waste of untapped human potential. Smith saw the power of millions of inmates harnessed as a source of renewable energy for America's prison-industrial complex, a system that aims to build better criminals instead of better citizens.

In Mr. Smith Goes to Prison, he traces the cracks in America's prison walls, exposing the shortcomings of a racially based cycle of poverty and crime that sets inmates up to fail. Speaking from inside experience, he offers practical solutions to jailbreak the nation from the financially crushing grip of its own prisons and to jump-start the rehabilitation of the millions living behind bars.

©2015 Jeffrey Smith (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Hit home

I was suggested this book, due to starting an art program for state inmates. My biological brother has a life sentence in high max state prison and he has chosen God over violence. He is my drive to help (amongst other reasons and my family).

Your book got me to think cry and appreciate my brother that much more. I am hoping to one day meet you and if possible work with you.

Please keep up the great work. I am hoping for a part two. Please reach out to those that had your back, they need it more than u know.

Much respect.
-LeslieZRamirez- HOUSE OF RAMIREZ

very good

This book includes great personal stories and insight. As a political science instructor, I believe this is an important addition to the discussion on the corrections system and reform.

A Book for Everyone

What made the experience of listening to Mr. Smith Goes to Prison the most enjoyable?

The story needs to be told ,, every law enforcement person should have to spend some time behind bars !

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr. Smith Goes to Prison?

I loved that his Mom is now a mentor to a prisoner and that he kept in touch with Warehouse friends as best he could ..

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Any additional comments?

This is a story of one man's courage, spirit and growth ,. in a strange but not unusual setting .. His whole life prepared him for the challanges he had to face and conquer to truely become the Best man he could be ... Which is someone who can make a difference for good in the lives of others especially the disenfranchised.

Easy listen; too much basketball

Being from STL, I was interested to listen to this book. I like that it was read by the author. Not much new re: prison reform and too much detail regarding his basketball talents (somewhat relevant to the story but unnecessary bragging/compensating at some point) but I am glad to know his story and enjoyed it for the most part.

Very good book, very insightful

Great book, Senator, thanks for keeping it 100. I recently did a Kairos weekend and have been interested about the life of a resident after I left. This book was very honest, and interesting and had some practical observations on how to improve the system. Lots of people forget about these people, but Mr. Smith does a great job in showing that in alot of ways they are regular people that made mistakes in life, and that we all are 1bad choice away from being there ourselves.. I do wonder though if he ate the Meat rock...

Incredibly enlightening

Amazing story, perfectly read, that changed my perspective of many things, most notably those exiting and trying to rejoin society. Absolutely loved it.

Prison reform now! ( Adult language )

A worthy read providing insight into the destructive, money-wasting travesty of US prison system. His basketball skills definitely saved him!
While I don’t agree w Smith’s Liberal Politics and I definitely do NOT agree that prisoners should have the right to vote 😣! I do agree we are wasting so much human potential & making many worse criminals than when they went in. Break the cycle, guide the individual to a new path, reunite families, reduce recidivism, use halfway houses during parole, even remove gang tattoos, while saving so much $$$. Many prisoners can barely speak clearly, read or write. Education, life skills, reform & mentoring should be prison system goals balanced with the need to get truly dangerous criminals off the streets. Warning: can’t listen to this with the kids, the prison language is authentic, rough & R++

Had went nowhere? Chapter 2.

Middle of chapter two.
How can I listen to a book with poor grammar?
Everything after that sentence is ruined to me.
.........had went nowhere.....
It’s shocking that this man ran for office and was working on a PhD.
Oh, and was teaching!