PRISON From The INSIDE OUT: One Man’s Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom by William “Mecca” Elmore & Susan Simone – Journalistic Non-Fiction, Memoir, Civil Rights Law

Prison from Inside Out: One Man’s Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom is an illuminating chronicle that tells the story of a man who not only survived the stoniest soil but used his experiences to thrive as a human being.

This arresting memoir is essentially a road trip of William ‘Mecca’ Elmore, a man with a tumultuous childhood, growing up in a neighborhood chock full of social problems. It is in this environment that Elmore is involved in a crime that consequently leads to his arrest and trial. The story builds upon his incarceration in various correctional facilities, his experiences, his release through a Mutual Agreement Parole Program, and his eventual redemption.

The story is documented by Susan Simone and includes accounts from Elmore’s sister, his mother, friends, and cellmates giving this memoir an all-round picture of prison life for those behind bars and those they leave behind to go and serve their sentences. Often, due to years of incarceration, former convicts face a hard time, at times life-threatening, making a reentry into society and sometimes returning to a life of crime. This tapestry brings out the redeeming value of human beings by giving hope to this group through its honest account and how he managed to survive after release.

At turns, heartbreaking, cheerful, and inspiring, Elmore’s memoir glides in deep awareness.

His perceptible emotional voice, ever-present in the narrative, pulls back the curtain to reveal the harsh realities of prison life, the sometimes indelible effect of solitary confinement, the politics that revolve around prison, and the determination to keep one’s head up amidst the chaos. The text is not potentially traumatizing nor does it ignore some of the inadequacies of the US penal system, but rather seeks to educate in a hopeful way about the true possibility of starting anew.

The text opens a door to a much-needed discussion on the need to have prison reforms that guide prisoners on a path of transformation and staying crime-free upon returning to society rather than crushing their hope and resolve to change. William’s courage along with his family’s to tell their stories without acrimony will go a long way in offering hope to many who feel sidestepped and forgotten.

The book winds up towards a ruminative ending that sees Elmore, Bessie, and Cheryl primarily reflect on Elmore’s past incarceration giving the book a heartfelt conclusion.

The book integrates vintage photographs along with captions inviting the audience further into the story. Candid and insightful, it stands among the world’s most moving testimonies of the profound value of literature.

Ultimately, Prison from the Inside Out: One Man’s Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom by Susan Simone and William Elmore is a beacon of hope for those who have passed through the prison system and a necessary read for legislators, police officers, and all who work with the penal system.

Learn more about the background of the book by visiting the website: www.PrisonFromTheInsideOut.org

Prison from the Inside Out by William Elmore & Susan Simone won Grand Prize in the 2020 CIBA Nellie Bly Book Awards for Journalistic & Investigative Non-Fiction.