LINE SCREW BY J. MICHAEL YATES

J. Michael Yates was born in Missouri and educated around the world but in 1966 he moved to Canada and has, I think, lived here ever since. He has published approximately 30 books of poetry and also a memoir called LINE SCREW in which he writes of his experiences during 12 years as a jail guard in British Columbia on the West Coast of Canada. Lest you worry that a poet might not survive in a maximum security prison, as a prisoner let alone a jail guard, let me assure that J. Michael not only survived, he lived to write of it in ways that prisons have not been so accurately described before. This book is filled with accounts that ring with their truth. J. Michael is six foot one and prepared to defend his position with his fists as well as his words. He is also an expert marksman and psychologist. Since most of my best friends have been in jail at one time or another I think I qualify as an expert on these things and I tell you that if you really want to know what goes on behind prison walls you must read LINE SCREW. In it you will find the language, the life and the routines that make up doing time in Canada and if it does not convince you of the futility of our present methods of "correction" nothing will. J. Michael Yates is not soft on crime. He is not soft on anybody. That includes prisoners, prison brass and particularly the media. I don't have enough stars to give to this book! Ed Wildman Honeywood, Ontario August 16, 2001

I picked this book up a few months ago and found I couldnt put it down. Mr. Yates gives a in deepth, raw and humorous look into the canadian penal system and it's prisons. If you like real life prison storys then pick this book up. You wont be sorry!