'I'll Fly Away': Maximum security prisoners speak

Every week, The Thread recommends a book that offers a fresh perspective on the news.

Last week, President Obama announced new federal rules on helping former prison inmates find jobs. It's part of a national discussion on criminal justice reform.

The day after the president's announcement, I did a show about giving prison inmates access to college education. The phones lit up, which I expected. What I didn't expect was to hear from so many people who'd been in prison, received an education and transformed their lives. Like Mark.

"Before I got my GED I had every intention upon my release to go back to the same lifestyle I was living," Mark said. But after taking the test, he began to think about furthering his education. "Here I am 5 years later, and I'll be graduating with a bachelor's of science in mechanical engineering come next fall. I'm a contributing member of society now."

As I listened to Mark, I thought of "I'll Fly Away," a collection of essays edited by author Wally Lamb.

Lamb taught writing at a maximum security prison for women in Connecticut. He compiled his students' essays for the collection — and they are raw, wrenching and full of if only's: if only I'd had a father, if only I'd said "no," if only I knew then what I know now.

"I'll Fly Away" is The Thread must-read this week.

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