Seeking excitement and freedom, Piper Kerman makes some bad choices after graduating from Smith College. Her naivete in briefly getting into the drug trade costs her dearly when, ten years after the deed, she faces a 15-month prison term at a women’s federal prison at Danbury, Connecticut.
The adjustment to lack of privacy, dignity, and rights is understandably tough and at first Kerman mostly keeps to herself. But slowly, she gets into the rhythm of incarcerated life, acquires a prison job as an electrician and tries to maintain a positive attitude.
To her surprise, in the early days before her financial account is available, many of her fellow inmates are helpful, even generous with their limited supplies of soap and shampoo, and clothing. Kerman is quick to point out that her situation is unusual in that she has a supportive family and friends who see to it that she has funds available in her account so that she can purchase what she needs in the rather meager prison “store.” She also emphasizes that her fiancé, family and friends visit, write regularly, and send books, giving her moral support. Most incarcerated woman don’t have nearly the advantages that Kerman has and through her experiences, it becomes clear why many women’s lives take downward spirals while in prison and after their release.
Through Kerman’s eyes we see the anguish and moral degradation of life in prison, the overwhelming feelings of guilt and humiliation. It’s easy to say the inmates “have it coming,” but it’s also clear that the emotional and physical needs causing the original problems aren’t being met. Many women are themselves victims of circumstances of violent or abusive home environments. Kerman has a strong support system to return to, but often times the women, once released, will be in homeless shelters, or will return to desperate home situations with no hope of living decent, fulfilling lives.
Orange is the New Black doesn’t offer solutions to these social problems, but offers a look into what poor choices, for whatever reason, can cost. The book offers an engaging glimpse of life in prison, sometimes heartbreaking, at times humorous, often enraging.
To learn more about the author and her memoir, visit http://piperkerman.com/