Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-

Review
"Good Book!" --Michael Baisden, The Michael Baisden Show

"About time somebody wrote a book like this!" --Dick Gregory, Legendary comedian, activist, and author

"Poignant" --The Houston Press

"In his new book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime. Boothe admits he made bad choices along the way. But, during his 12 year jail sentence he raised his mind and changed his thinking by reading and studying a variety of books. It is this transformed thinking that freed Boothe from his emotional and spiritual jail cell." -- -- ----Tri-State Defender

"I recommend that all African-Americans read this book...I learned so much that I had to mark up my own personal copy with highlights of passages that I found profound." --Dr. Ed Yancey, Chaplain for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Professor of African and African-American Studies, University of Memphis, Strayer University

"I found this book to be thoughtful and enlightening, also a wonderful collection of factual information about the American criminal justice and prison systems. As a prison clergyman, I find this book to be a significant addition to my library. I can truly say that there is no inmate who would not benefit by reading Mr. Boothe's books and applying the principles." --Imam Addul-Rahman Sabir, Director, AIMC (Assisting Incarcerated Muslims Corp.)

"In his new book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime. Boothe admits he made bad choices along the way. But, during his 12 year jail sentence he raised his mind and changed his thinking by reading and studying a variety of books. It is this transformed thinking that freed Boothe from his emotional and spiritual jail cell." --Tri-State Defender

"Poignant" --The Houston Press --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Product Description
African-American males are being imprisoned at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Out of the more than 11 million black adult males in the U.S. population, nearly 1.5 million are in prisons and jails with another 3.5 million more on probation or parole or who have previously been on probation or parole. Black males make up the majority of the total prison population, and due to either present or past incarceration is the most socially disenfranchised group of american citizens in the country today. This book, which was penned by Boothe while he was still incarcerated, details the author's personal story of a negligent upbringing in an impoverished community, his subsequent engagement in criminal activity (drug dealing), his incarceration, and his release from prison and experiencing of the crippling social disenfranchisement that comes with being an ex-felon. The author then relates his personal experiences and realizations to the seminal problems within the African-American community, federal government, and criminal justice system that cause his own experiences to be the same experiences of millions of other young black men.

About the Author
Demico Boothe is considered by many to be an expert on the criminal justice system as it relates to African-Americans. He served 12 consecutive years inside of federal prison and was released in November of 2003. During his incarceration, he read over 500 books and dedicated his time to study, writing, and mentoring other incarcerated African-American males about the need for lifestyle/ mentality change. Since his release, he has been mentoring young minorities at halfway houses, rehabilitation centers, jails and schools.