Albert Woodfox (1947–2022)

Woodfox was a Black Panther, who was wrongly convicted of the murder of a prison guard at the Angola prison in Louisiana. He spend 43 years in solitary confinement, finally released in 2016. This book was released in 2019; and gives details of his life, and in his struggles to have the conviction overturned, and the lengths that Louisiana went to to keep him incarcerated. Also about the struggle to limit the use of solitary confinement. He was amazingly able to keep his humanity through this. Sadly, he died of COVID in 2022, at age 75.

I would compare this book to [The Autobiography of Malcom X]. It really gives details about life in Angola prison. (horrifying)… (mais)

(30) This was hard to read for many reasons. Woodfox was one of the Angola 3, African-American men incarcerated in Louisiana's notorious Angola prison and railroaded into a conviction for killing a white prison guard for their political beliefs as Black Panthers. They were then kept in a maximum security site - essentially 'solitary confinement' for over 40 years. Solitary confinement doesn't actually mean what I thought it meant which was also eye-opening for me. I thought basically all prisoners lived in solitary confinement regardless and that they were let out for work, exercise, or classes. I didn't realize that most prisoners i.e. 'the general population' lived in communal barracks like the military. I thought solitary confinement was no contact; padded cell kind of thing (maybe like the dungeon they describe.) The horrible things that go on in prison are unconscionable. The odds that poor black kids can rise above the narrow vice-paved roads they are set on are pretty low. I am reminded of the amazing TV show 'The Wire,' that really changed my mind about adopting the 'bootstrap' mentality.

Woodfox and his two compatriots Herman, and King are amazing men. What he accomplished while imprisoned in the worst place is astounding. That he would go into prison a high-school drop out, junkie, petty criminal and come out an educated writer and activist who produces a Pulitzer-prize finalist autobiography is a testament to his strength and moral fiber. I have no doubt he is telling the truth. I continue to be disgusted by the attitude and politics of the Deep South. And I am no bleeding heart liberal either. Truth be told, I don't think what is called 'solitary confinement' is cruel and unusual - I just thought that was what being in prison meant. Although certainly I believe in rehabilitation, education, and vocation for prisoners which I guess was not being offered to Woodfox and others in CCR.

The writing itself was at times compelling, but at times repetitive and a bit all over the place. I really had a hard time with all the characters. People's names were introduced once without much explication and then referred back to pages and pages later and I had no recollection of who they were.This is why it escapes a higher rating for me - it was at times a bit of a chore to read. I do notice that the title says .. a biography; yet the author is listed as Woodfox and the book is about his life. It is written in the first person and the acknowledgments don't include any typee of ghost writer so I am assuming that the term Biography is meant in a general sense.

He says he wouldn't change a thing about his life. His experiences forged him to be the honorable man he became - so in a sense - he was rehabilitated. And yet, another intervention that didn't rob him of most of his natural life and freedom surely could have worked too. I don't have all the answers and I believe the solutions need to come from leaders of the communities that are most affected but are rooted in equal opportunities for all.

An important book. I am going to redouble my efforts over the next year to read Ellison, Baldwin, and other important books like 'The New Jim Crow,' and reread 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X,' which changed my worldview when I read it many, many years ago. Amazing courage...… (mais)

What a powerful book. Albert Woodfox spent 40 years in solitary confinement innocent of any crime that would warrant that sort of inhuman punishment. The things he endured and saw happen to others are unimaginable. It is truly horrifying and embarrassing that these type of atrocities take place in our country. We can do better. We need to do better.

Solitary is a long read, but absolutely a book with reading. Albert is not an author, but it is a story so powerful it transcends the need for writing perfection. If this book doesn't leave you wondering what is wrong with our justice system and prison system you might want to reevaluate your values.

"The need to be treated with human dignity touches everyone. And the key to resistance is unity"… (mais)