Waiting for an Echo

The Madness of American Incarceration

By: Christine Montross

Narrated by: Christine Montross

*L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist*
*New York Times Book Review Paperback Row*
*New York Times Books to Watch for in July*
*Time Best New Books July 2020*

Galvanized by her work in our nation's jails, psychiatrist Christine Montross illuminates the human cost of mass incarceration and mental illness

Dr. Christine Montross has spent her career treating the most severely ill psychiatric patients. Several years ago, she set out to investigate why so many of her patients got caught up in the legal system when discharged from her care--and what happened to them therein.

Waiting for an Echo is a riveting, rarely seen glimpse into American incarceration. It is also a damning account of policies that have criminalized mental illness, shifting large numbers of people who belong in therapeutic settings into punitive ones.

The stark world of American prisons is shocking for all who enter it. But Dr. Montross's expertise--the mind in crisis--allowed her to reckon with the human stories behind the bars. A father attempting to weigh the impossible calculus of a plea bargain. A bright young woman whose life is derailed by addiction. Boys in a juvenile detention facility who, desperate for human connection, invent a way to communicate with one another from cell to cell. Overextended doctors and correctional officers who strive to provide care and security in environments riddled with danger. In these encounters, Montross finds that while our system of correction routinely makes people with mental illness worse, just as routinely it renders mentally stable people psychiatrically unwell. The system is quite literally maddening.

Our methods of incarceration take away not only freedom but also selfhood and soundness of mind. In a nation where 95 percent of all inmates are released from prison and return to our communities, this is a practice that punishes us all.

The sad truth

A tough subject but we'll worth the time to hear an expert discussion on our outrageous American Corrective system.

Enlightening

I strongly recommend every American read or listen to this book. Rooted in research and compassion, Dr. Montross provides an invaluable perspective on our prison system.

Book review

Really enjoyed the book . Made me think long and hard about our broken system and insensitive and unjust policies . I have recommended this book to several friends . Thank You for opening my eyes to reality. Marguerite Cordelle

Stunning Genuine, Thought Inducing

As a someone who is finishing internship as a mental health professional and long time educator who is actively involved with those who have been impacted by the carceral system I was incredibly moved by this book. It was incredibly impactful and I wish everyone could read it and understand all it encompasses. I wish it were mandatory reading for everyone who seeks to be a judge, prosecutor, warden or correctional officer. I hope to bring change and understanding to people about these truths.
I cannot thank this author enough for this touching and informative work. I hope that is is shared widely. What a remarkable experience reading this was!

Excellent and thought-provoking

This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in issues of criminal justice reform. Montross’s perspective is clear-sighted, nuanced, compassionate, and well-supported by research. I think her insights also touch on some very deep and fundamental truths about human nature, and the questions she raises about our approach to incarceration in America have implications for other issues of justice, equity, health-care access, and more.