In the Words of the Offender

Susan Massarella is a reference librarian at Laurentian University.

This book gives inmates an opportunity to speak about the events that
got them incarcerated and their subsequent experiences in prison. The
author presents the accounts of 14 randomly selected federal prisoners.
The crimes vary and the experiences vary as well, giving the reader an
overall impression of life in prison. The writing is gripping and at
times grisly, detailing everything from attempted suicides to murders
and fights behind bars. That the book is intended as a cautionary tale
to youth in trouble with the law is evidenced by the dedication: “To
young offenders everywhere. May you learn quickly that crime does not
pay.” In keeping with this message, Tadman focuses on the horrific
aspects of prison life rather than on its more mundane features, such as
boredom. Nevertheless, his book is not sensationalistic.

An Author’s Note gives a useful overview of statistics on crime in
Canada today. Given its lack of bibliography and index, In the Words of
the Offender is unsuitable for research libraries. However, it would be
a useful addition to public and high-school libraries.