Author Keri Blakinger has a unique perspective on the criminal justice and prison systems, having been intimately involved with both for several important years of her life. After what was a promising skating career was suddenly derailed, Blakinger turned to drugs and spiraled into a cycle of self-hatred, depression, and horrible addiction.
Blakinger spent several long, difficult years in the prison system, where she met other women with similar issues to her. She discovered how broken and oftentimes corrupt the prison system is. When she was released from prison a changed person, Blakinger became a journalist and became focused on bringing change to the industry which caused her - and many others like her - harm.
One issue that Blakinger discusses in the book is how widely available drugs were in prison and solitary confinement despite many women being in prison for drug problems. In other words, prisons allow - and even encourage - people's bad behavior and make no effort to rehabilitate them and keep them out of prison.
Ultimately, Blakinger realizes that her story is unique. Few people who left prison never returned and even fewer went to college and became incredibly successful in a career (in Blakinger's case, an investigative reporter). In order for the country and the prison system to improve, Blakinger argues, that needs to change. People in prison need to have more opportunities.
