Journey to Prison, The
Lashlie, CeliaA collection of ex-prison officer and prison manager Celia Lashlie's reflections and observations, based on her 15 years of experience with Corrections in New Zealand. She discusses the origins of crime in New Zealand: the way we punish offenders, the effectiveness of prison, parental responsibility, the role of drugs, education, and state institutions. Underpinning her argument, is the need for the community to take responsibility for the incidence of crime in New Zealand society. NZ Interest.
Comments from Groups
A book that everyone should read as a way of opening discussion on a topic we mostly know nothing about, usually ignore, and need to take action on. Start now! Ferndale 001 We met the day after Celia died which added to the level of our discussion. We all found the book challenging, interesting and relevant. Our discussion centred around social justice, the tendency to look for superficial reasons for anti-social behaviour and quick fixes, instead of looking beneath the surface and having the courage and persistence to set in place long term solutions. Celia showed the way. We marvelled at her lack of cynicism, and her deep compassion while at the same time being unflinchingly realistic.... Auckland 335 This was a real eye opener to many. We felt that she repeated herself too many times, but realised this was to get her message across. Should be read by everybody! Christchurch 294 This book prompted more discussion, and revealed more different views than any other book so far. The author herself polarised people. Most found the writing stodgy in places, but it was a fascinating, although harrowing read. Her commitment shone through. Whangarei 017 We really enjoyed the book and had a lot of discussion - it certainly made one think.A few of the members commented that it had changed their thoughts on just locking people away, and that maybe for some people prison wasn't going to change anything. Cromwell 003
Pages
181
181
Year
2003
2003
Reviews
22-11-2023
Very impressed with her views. Saddened by her early death. Book now a little dated but still very relevant.
28-04-2023
A thought provoking and at times difficult book to read because of the content and the fact that nothing seems to have changed in recent years. Written in a simple forthright style and a little repetitive. Enjoyed the humour and most of the group were glad that they had read it. Plenty to discuss.
28-09-2022
It was a hard discussion - what has changed in 20 years It seems like nothing. We need compassion, we need services at work, we need rehabilitation centres where people can be shown that they matter. We need to ensure that EVERY child is educated.
01-08-2022
A fascinating book with first hand discussions of life inside jail. The book opened our eyes to the topic of what more can be done to help offenders for the benefit of both them, as well as society. Celia wrote this book with a clarity of purpose - to get an important message across. She kept her emotions out of it, and criticism of the bureaucratic system. There was some monor repetition, but it dod not affect the storyline. Another good read and we were all glad we had read it.
09-06-2022
The first book our group read, our interest heightened by the fact that the author had just died. Much of it was difficult to read because of the issues discussed - poverty, violence, abuse, drugs - but overall the message was one of hope for change,
13-09-2021
Very long sentences, could do with more punctuation. Otherwise enjoyed by most. Wonderful woman, sadly missed. Educational.
03-12-2020
The book certainly highlighted such sad issues within NZ. Although we had a general knowledge, it did make for very harrowing reading. The writing style was simplistic - but the message was clear. We need to show compassion and seek change.
19-08-2020
Very interesting book, though most of us had already heard a lot of the ideas put forward as the book is quite old. It was depressing to see that the situation in this country remains the same with very little improvement in prison numbers and recidivism. Our discussion at the meeting was interesting, particularly the chapter on Marijuana in light of the approaching Referendum. Certainly interesting, and at times very amusing, and it remains confronting.
01-07-2020
Read & reviewed during lock down. A very readable account of Celias career in the prison service, and the realities of life in prison. All the elements Celia Lashlie was concerned about 18 years ago are still much the same the issues of drugs, poverty, family violence, child neglect and abuse, inequalities in education and the predominance of Maori in prison statistics. The main difference is that the prison population has almost doubled and new, more dangerous drugs meth, synthetic cannabis have emerged. Interesting, thought provoking, and sadly a depressing picture.
07-06-2019
Very good book.