David Campbell and Jarrod Shanahan, both former inmates at Rikers Island and advocates for criminal justice reform, share their gripping firsthand experiences. They discuss the harrowing conditions at Rikers, highlighting systemic abuses and the urgent need for transparency. Their insights reveal the complexities of life inside prison, from the bonds formed between inmates to the brutal realities of guards' cultures. Ultimately, they push for a greater understanding of redemption and humanity within a flawed system.
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Path to Rikers
David Campbell and Jarrod Shanahan ended up in Rikers Island due to activism.
Campbell's arrest was at an anti-fascist protest, while Shanahan's involved a de-arrest during a Black Lives Matter protest.
insights INSIGHT
Atypical Inmates
Campbell and Shanahan stood out as atypical inmates at Rikers.
They were white, college-educated, and lacked typical markers of long-term hardship or gang affiliation.
insights INSIGHT
Fresh Eyes
Campbell and Shanahan's outsider status gave them fresh eyes to observe Rikers.
This allowed them to gather authentic data, unfiltered by the normalization of prison life, often missed by traditional researchers.
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Shift is the second book in the Silo series by Hugh Howey. It enriches the story of Juliette by telling the backstory of Donald Keene, the architect of the silos, and reveals the truth about the men who created World Order Operation Fifty (WOOL). The book consists of three novellas: First Shift, Second Shift, and Third Shift, each providing a different perspective on the catastrophic events that led to the creation of the silos. It connects Juliette to Donald and sets up the premise for the next novel in the series, Dust. The story spans a significant amount of time, exploring themes of philosophy, human nature, and the consequences of technological advancements[1][3][4].
Captives
Linda Colley
In 'Captives', Linda Colley offers a nuanced exploration of the British Empire by examining the experiences of Britons held captive across different regions, including the Mediterranean, North America, and India. The book challenges traditional narratives of British imperialism by highlighting the complexities of cultural interactions and the often-overlooked aspects of British history. Colley's work contributes significantly to ongoing debates about the nature and legacy of empire.
Skyscraper Jails
Skyscraper Jails
Jarrod Shanahan
John Accordi
City Time
City Time
On Being Sentenced to Rikers Island
David Campbell
Jarrod Shanahan
Newjack
Guarding Sing Sing
Ted Conover
In 'Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing', Ted Conover recounts his nearly year-long experience as a correctional officer at Sing Sing prison. After being denied the opportunity to shadow the department's employees as a journalist, Conover took the job of a correctional officer to gain firsthand knowledge of the prison system. The book details his training at the corrections officer academy and his subsequent assignments in various roles within the prison. Conover explores the ethical complexities, daily challenges, and psychological dynamics faced by both prisoners and correctional officers, highlighting issues such as boredom, fear, violence, and trauma. The book provides a comprehensive look at the inner workings of the prison system and the human experiences within it.
The American prison system isn’t just designed to keep inmates locked up—it’s built to keep the rest of us from truly seeing what happens inside. Rikers Island, New York City’s largest jail, has long been notorious for its inhumane conditions, including mistreatment, sexual abuse, and inmates being held in solitary confinement for hundreds of days. But understanding the full extent of these horrors is nearly impossible without firsthand experience. Today, Adam speaks with David Campbell and Jarrod Shanahan—criminal justice reformers who were incarcerated at Rikers after protesting—about their time inside and their new book, City Time: On Being Sentenced to Rikers Island. Find Jarrod and David’s book at http://www.factuallypod.com/books
About Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.
Factually! with Adam Conover 
