Andy & Linda Polk

Felonism Andy & Linda Polk

Felonism: Hating in Plain Sight is a collection of true stories and interviews with convicts, family members, parole officers and prison staff. Woven together these stories present the fabric of an institutionalized, systemic oppression against individuals suspected or convicted of a felony as well as those who love and support them The cycle of discrimination continues when members of prison staff are concerned about losing their pensions for being "inmate friendly", loved ones of prisoners are publicly berated, and returning citizens (people released from prison) are segregated from mainstream housing, careers and support. Confronted with documentation demonstrating a national trend of organized oppression, this book reveals a pattern of racism, dysfunctional politics, cruelty, and a network of "for-profit" companies that have become part of America's culture. Problems are rarely fixed until they are given a name, so ex-con Andy Polk and retired school teacher and social worker, Linda Polk, coined the term "Felonism" to shine a light on who really benefits from this dangerous neo-classism/racism. This book provides terminology currently lacking in the national conversation about our shared prejudices and offers solutions for healing our broken criminal "justice" system.