Riles Reads: Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis

If you're looking for a primer into the history of prisons as they currently exist in the US, and the way they are inextricably tied to racist, classist, sexist ideals, look no further. Angela Davis' Are Prisons Obsolete? walks us from the beginning of the penitentiary and follows through

 What were we doing before we just locked people away? Are prisons really reducing crime? What could we be doing instead? Pick up a copy of this book an investigate these questions. If we want to change the world, we also need to change how we handle punishment and justice. 

We're reading this as part of the Soft Heart Book Club, and if you also want to read and learn with folks trying to better themselves and change the world, come join us!