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True Powerful Stories
30 Years Behind Bars: Trials of a Prison Doctor shares your experiences working in the prison system in Nevada, the challenges you faced, and the changes you want to help make happen. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I decided to write my memoir because I wanted the outside world to see the prison system through the eyes of someone oriented and trained to diagnose and heal versus the perspective of a captive or a captor. When I retired from the prison after 30 years, it was because the leadership had swung to what I considered the dark side. The side that was oriented toward punishment vs. programs, harm vs. healing, and disrupting what was working vs. deciding and supporting what worked. When I left, I knew I had to look at my journals plus the writings of the inmates and put together the story of how, what, and why I stayed 30 years in the prison and what I would do next.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing for me to write about was when I was taken hostage in the prison, assaulted, raped, and got out when the SWAT team threw in the concussion grenade and killed the inmate a few feet from me. It was hard because when I asked my husband when I was writing my book how he felt when that hostage event happened he looked at me and said, ’That’s the first time you’ve asked me how I felt.’ It was like getting hit in the gut. That event occurred in 1989, and it was 2017 when I asked him. It made me realize that in 1989 when it happened on October Friday the 13th, I was just focused on going back to work on Monday. I was thinking about my own psyche, not his.
Your experiences are unique and give you a first-hand perspective on the issues involving the correctional institution in the United States. How do you hope your story will help advocate for change within the prison system?
I think that I am that type of unique voice that can tell true powerful stories that affect how the public looks at the prison system. I was naive like a lot of people in the US who don’t have an experience with prison, but I ended up straddling two diametrically different forces in the prison, that of inmates and custody, and survived. People like stories where the underdog succeeds and being a young, blonde female married to a black man and thrown into prison to be a doctor by the National Health Service Corps fits that type of story.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
To be curious about the criminal justice system and any system that makes money out of punishment and harming others vs. investing in prevention and other tactics to keep society safer.
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The topics in 30 Years Behind Bars are as diverse as surviving as a woman in a male-dominated hierarchy, overcoming personal trauma, the issues of racism, mental illness, HIV, executions, and cancer. The overriding theme of the memoir is the power of compassion, redemption, education, and the arts.
Her true stories, the adversities she survives, and why she turns it into a calling that lasts 30 years will forever change the way you see prisons. Karen was designated as one of the best in the business by the American Correctional Association and won a ‘Heroes for Humanity Award’ for her work in HIV in the correctional system. Today she advocates for prison reform and inspires individuals and groups to become involved in reforming the prison system.
30 Years Behind Bars, Trials of a Prison Doctor
30 Years Behind Bars is an evocative memoir of Dr. Karen Gedney, the pioneering female doctor in a Nevada prison. The memoir captures Karen’s journey, from her childhood aspirations of healing to navigating the complex realities of an overwhelmingly male prison population.
The narrative intricately weaves Dr. Karen’s interactions with her patients, highlighting her unwavering commitment and compassion, even in the face of unimaginable challenges. One striking story revolves around Moth, an inmate grappling with profound emotional scars. Despite Karen’s earnest attempts to extend emotional support, a heart-wrenching turn of events culminates in her being held hostage.
Beyond this central story, the memoir delves into broader systemic issues, such as drug addiction, prison hierarchies, and the often-overlooked health challenges inmates face, including cancer and HIV. Dr. Karen emerges as a beacon of hope, advocating for improved medical treatments, emphasizing emotional wellness, and amplifying the voices of those behind bars. Her resilience is further underscored by the unwavering support of her husband, Coley, who not only stands by her but also contributes by educating inmates.
Dr. Karen’s story is a testament to the belief that compassion and perseverance can make a difference even in the most challenging environments. While many might have chosen to retreat following such a traumatic experience, Karen’s dedication to her cause remained unshaken.
The memoir challenges readers to reflect on our perceptions of criminals. It beckons us to consider the intricate tapestry of circumstances—be it childhood trauma, addiction, or false implications—that might land someone behind bars. It raises the pertinent question: Should society merely incarcerate and forget, or should there be avenues for rehabilitation and redemption?
30 Years Behind Bars is more than just a memoir—it’s a powerful commentary on the human spirit, resilience, and the potential for transformation. This book promises an engaging and enlightening read for those who appreciate thought-provoking narratives that challenge societal norms. I recommend this memoir for its raw, candid, and impactful storytelling.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B07B3LLWRQ
LITERARY TITAN 