Newjack

Guarding Sing Sing

By: Ted Conover

Narrated by: Ted Conover

National Book Critics Circle, Nonfiction, 2001

Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing is the story of Conover's rookie year as a guard at Sing Sing. It is a nerve-jangling account of his passage into the storied prison and the culture of its guards - both fresh-faced "newjacks" like Conover and brutally hardened veterans. As he struggles to be a good officer, Conover angers inmates, dodges blows, works to balance decency with toughness, and participates in prison rituals - strip frisks, cell searches, cell "extractions" - that exact a toll on inmates and officers alike.

The tale begins with the corrections academy and ends with the flames and smoke of New Year's Eve on Conover's floor of the notorious B-Block. Along the way, Conover also recounts the history of Sing Sing, from draconian early punishment, to fame as the citadel of capital punishment, to its present status as New York State's "bottom of the barrel" prison.

This book will become a landmark of American journalism - the definitive presentation of the impasse between the need to imprison criminals and the dehumanization of inmates and guards - that almost inevitably takes place behind bars.

©2001 Ted Conover (P)2005 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Newjack is an astonishing work by a gifted - and dedicated - journalist. Ted Conover takes us into the dangerous, sad, amusing and instructive soul of one of America's best known prisons." ( Tom Brokaw)

Orange is the Newjack

What did you like best about Newjack? What did you like least?

Newjack was an eye opener to many things I didn't know about the prison system. It highlighted many of the stresses of being a guard but also had retained some sense of empathy towards the prisoners.

What did you like best about this story?

Very well-written.

Great book

Going through the process of becoming a correction officer, and I must say this is a great book coming from both sides of the spectrum.

I learned, laughed cried and learned in that order

I learned, laughed, cried and learned in that order. As important now as when it was penned.

Routine

If you are interested in becoming a prison guard then this book is audio introduction to physical and mental alteration possibilities. The story seemed good then seemed to be just routine days for the main character.

great story

I had to read this for school, but I have to say I really enjoyed listening. This was a great story that is engaging and opens your eyes to our prison system.