While in no way supporting the systemic injustices and disparities of mass incarceration, Gifts from the Dark: Learning from the Incarceration Experience argues that we have much to learn from those who have been and are in prison. Schwartz and Chaney profile the contributions of literary giants, social activists, entrepreneurs, and other talented individuals who, despite the disorienting dilemma of incarceration, are models of adult transformative learning that positively impact the world. The authors interweave narratives with both qualitative and quantitative research references to analyze the role of solitude, writing, non-verbal communication; race and gender; physical exercise; education; technology; family and parenting; and the need to “give back” that precipitate transformative learning. The prison cell becomes a counterspace of metamorphosis. In focusing upon how men and women have chosen the worst moments of their lives as a baseline not to define, but to refine themselves, Gifts from the Dark promises to forever alter the limited mindset of incarceration as a solely one-dimensional, deficit event.

Compelling, eye opening, and captivating. Schwartz and Chaney provide a fresh look on an age-old phenomenon: Incarceration. Their unique approach of inviting diverse voices through primary sources and testimonies of formerly incarcerated persons who spanned geographic space and time, racial and gender identity location, as well as type of conviction offers the reader a different perspective on the prison experience. This perspective highlights the transformative learning potentiality born from the dark recesses of imprisonment. It reminds us that saving the soul of America hinges on rescuing our humanity from the inhumanity of a justice system built on racist ideology and practices. -- Lisa R. Merriweather
Gifts from the Dark sounds a valuable and timely call to heed the voices of those who have experiences of incarceration, especially when it comes to reforming the criminal legal system and advancing racial and social justice. As this book makes abundantly clear, those with lived experience of prison have much to offer based on the insight and wisdom that can be attained, and the personal transformation that can take place, in the face of deeply challenging and disruptive circumstances. Chaney and Schwartz persuasively show that our society has much to gain from these illuminating perspectives. -- Emma Hughes, California State University, Fresno
The authors of Gifts from the Dark masterfully navigate the reader’s intellectual dissonance against the existence of physical, emotional, and psychological experiences of incarceration serving as counterpaces for transformational learning to occur. The is a timely and compelling analysis of the economic and social politicization of prison experiences; forcing the reader to grapple with this paradox. -- Dionne Rosser-Mims, Troy University
Here, Schwartz and Chaney brilliantly explore the theme of personal transformation enhanced by incarceration…. The authors provide numerous interesting asides, such as discussing pedagogy versus andragogy, finding happiness in prison, and coping with learning during a pandemic. They also discuss Black family cultural dynamics in comprehending the links between race and incarceration and show that electronic monitoring is not proven to support corrections.Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals. * Choice Reviews *

Joni Schwartz is professor of humanities at the City University of New York – LaGuardia Community College and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Graduate Studies Program.

John R. Chaney is assistant professor and director of Criminal Justice programs for City University of New York -- LaGuardia Community College.