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Freedom Begins Inside Ourselves
Prison From The Inside Out tells the story of life in prison and how the justice system treats people. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I didn’t want to die taking my story with me – I wanted to free myself and telling my story was one way to do that. I started with journals, which made be realize I had to tell my story to my family and to you, and Simone gave me that opportunity.
What was the writing collaboration process like with Susan Simone?
It was like talking to my best friend from high school, an old friend. Simone has a great way of asking questions to draw me out.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
Freedom begins inside ourselves.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Value your time more than you value money.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
On March 30, 1991, William “Mecca” Elmore fired a gun toward a parked and occupied van in an attempt to protect a friend who he thought was actively involved in a drug deal gone bad. In court two years later, that same friend testified that Mecca had aimed directly at the van’s occupants, one of whom died of his wound before reaching the hospital. Mecca admitted to firing the gun, but he did not plan to kill anyone, so although the public defender urged him to take a plea bargain, he insisted on taking the stand. Today, Mecca sees giving that testimony as a turning point in his life.
Mecca was sentenced to “mandatory life,” a sentence that meant he would spend the rest of his natural life in prison with no possibility of parole.
Prison From The Inside Out tells the story of how that sentence was served.
Prison From The Inside Out
![Prison From The Inside Out: One Man's Journey From A Life Sentence to Freedom by [William "Mecca" Elmore, Susan Simone]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HKMPqr0zL.jpg)
Prison from the Inside Out by William “Mecca” Elmore and Susan Simone is a powerful story depicting the struggles in the life of William and his family, his life at the prison, and the indomitable spirit that lifted him from darker days. The story also sheds light on a number of critical issues, questioning the nature of justice in the society we live in, hinting towards the need for reform.
William was convicted for shooting a person, although he had not intended to hurt anyone. His aim was to save his friend from an dispute, but that very same friend testified against him at the court. This book, at any point, doesn’t try to conceal the crime. It speaks about things as they happened and forces readers to analyze deeply why we are carrying forward a system that is essentially flawed.
The narrative takes us through the journey from his teenage years to his introduction into the world of crime and drugs. The story is told with utter truthfulness, bringing out the harsh realities that often elude us. The book provides a fresh perspective on those who spend their lives behind bars.
The book’s subtitle ‘One Man’s Journey From a Life Sentence to Freedom’ aptly reflects the crux of the matter. It’s in not giving up that William finds his freedom, and Susan Simone records his words with great articulation, grasping its essence. The image of the prison days becomes gloomy, scary, and brutally real, but the hope at the end of the tunnel keeps the reader hooked throughout. With the help and unconditional support of his mother and sister, William learns to see that ray of hope. And to know how he goes about it, you have to give this book a read.
Thanks to the oral history method the authors used, each and every incident taking place in the lives of William and his loved ones come alive in the readers mind. It sends a strong message of hope and relentless will, that steers away from the gloomy sadness of a life sentence. This book is an exemplary read for anyone who wishes to look at the larger picture of the justice system.
Pages: 392 | ASIN: B08H1DRHMW
LITERARY TITAN 