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The Garrison & Friends Project is
fiscally sponsored by
Texas Prisons Community Advocates
For more information on the books presented here, click on the book cover.
Children's Books by Incarcerated Writers
Books by Incarcerated Writers
INSTITUTIONALIZED Mental Health Behind Bars by Jayson Hawkins, Thorstein Mayfield, Rafael Vasquez, Dror H. Goldberg, Charlie J. Wilkinson, Charles Hill, Albert Prado, Carlos Difundo, James Guevara, and Scarecrow.
There are close to two million people warehoused in U.S. prisons today. When we add in county jails, ICE facilities, and other lockups, that population doubles. While the exact number of these individuals suffering from serious mental health issues can only be estimated, the carceral environment breeds trauma, fosters every sort of abuse, and is custom-designed to dehumanize its occupants. The following essays are some of their hard fact-filled, chilling stories.....
Proclaim Freedom Throughout the Land by Dror H. Goldberg
Proclaim Freedom Throughout The Land is a collection of essays detailing one man's journey of incarceration through which he found faith, patience and hope within the Texas prison system, one of the harshest prison systems in the country. From unhealthy living conditions to natural disasters and even religious harassment, Dror has persevered and came out the other side a better and stronger man.
Dror means freedom and it is that fact which drives this amazing author to continue being patient until his freedom comes. These essays, while personal to him, can be applied to anyone's life and he hopes that his words inspire hope in the hearts of all that read them so that they can truly proclaim their freedom throughout the land!
That's What's Up! by Dror H. Goldberg
Following the success of his first book, Dror H. Goldberg returns with a collection of words and phrases commonly picked up among inmates within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice—one of the harshest prison systems in the United States. Utilizing his faith and an endless supply of optimism, Goldberg projects positivity into slang that originated in some of the darkest corners of the world. Each term is derived from real, comedic events between Goldberg and his friends and artfully compared to the uplifting and motivational stories of the Torah. Become motivated and inspired with the tools provided within this book and change your outlook toward society’s oft forgotten. Language inspires and encourages or knocks down and destroys. Your perception matters, and that’s what’s up!
Roland by Thorstein Mayfield
Roland, hero of the ancient French folktale The Chanson de Roland, comes alive in this powerful historical fiction novel. Set in 8th century France, Roland, the last of the line of Merovingian kings, finds himself overwhelmed and set adrift after his father is killed by the invading Moors. Roland must endure the trials of the warrior's path, court intrigue, and find his way forward while saving his nation from invasion.
The Ties That Bind Us by Nanon Williams
The Ties that Bind Us is a book of poetry mixed with free verse. The poems are written from the raw feelings Nanon Williams experienced while living in solitary confinement on Texas death row. Confined to a "black out cell," Williams spent three years in total darkness with nothing but his memories and emotions to bring him solace. All of these poems describe the feelings that weighed heavy on his heart, mind and soul as he struggled to come to terms with the bleakness and despair of life in isolation. Written from a place few can imagine and even fewer will ever experience, the emotions expressed are innate to the human experience--a desire for love and human connection. Through his poetry, Williams demonstrates that there is a love that exists within us all. This love is in everything and everyone. If we choose to ignore it, the pain of separating from it remains a constant reminder of what we are missing. In the darkest, most removed prison cell in Texas' Ellis Unit, Williams reconnected with this love. This book is that expression.
The Darkest Hour: Stories and interviews from Death Row by Nanon Williams
Forward by Frans Douw
“… this book will inspire you to view all people through the lens of empathy and compassion …” ~ book foreword by Susan Sarandon “The Darkest Hour: Shedding Light on the Impact of Isolation and Death Row in Texas Prisons” by Dr. Betty Gilmore and Nanon M. Williams sheds light on the widespread impact of extreme isolation experienced by thousands of incarcerated individuals in Texas prisons ― many of whom will be integrated back into society. This book presents an in-depth view of the Texas prison system with a specific focus on death row and solitary confinement. The impact of living in severely restrictive conditions is examined through a multi-disciplinary lens that incorporates scientific research and expert opinion and includes powerful narratives from men who have been incarcerated for 10 or more years and the people that surround them. Factors such as childhood history, attachment, biology, poverty, race and other social influences are explored in relation to the events that led up to incarceration and the subsequent ability to obtain fair treatment throughout the legal process. In-depth stories of trauma, survival and growth guides readers through the experiences of these men, and the efforts made to preserve their own dignity in the face of adversity.
Still Surviving by Nanon Williams
Still Surviving is a shocking account of a teenager growing up on Texas’ death row in one of the most brutal of prisons in the United States. Readers learn of a boy growing into manhood on his own terms while in prison and his capacity for surviving violence and racism through many devastating experiences. Having been falsely convicted of murder, Williams’ strength is both inspirational and motivational. He shows the human face of people whom society has defined as monsters and reveals shocking examples of sadistic, inhumane behavior of prison guards. Nanon Williams gives us the chance to retune our mindset when it comes to the death penalty, not as an abstract term, but as a reality for many human beings in the United States. This description may be from another edition of this product.
Peace People by Robyn Short and Nanon Williams
Peace People is a whimsically illustrated book that helps young children understand the concept of peace and how to experience peace in their own lives so that they may help others to experience peace as well. "Peace People" offers a positive approach to having necessary conversations and lessons about anti-bullying at home and in school. This book helps children to understand that peace is possible when we choose to be peace. "Peace People" is perfect for children of all ages.
Free as a Bee by Thorstein Mayfield
Free as a Bee is a story of a young female bee who has lived in a barn her entire life and sets out on a quest to find out how the bees used to live in the wild. Along her quest, she encounters a few hurdles and conflicts. But how will she deal with her troubles?
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