Essays of a Penitentiary Philosopher

If you want to know why our nation's leaders have failed to solve America's crime problem, these essays expose a number of areas where either not enough thought is being given, or the thinking is just wrong. While crime dominates America's media and political scene, there is very little intelligent insight on the topic coming from those who would know most about it, criminals. These essays change that. The essays begin by addressing crime as part of a larger social fabric that cannot be fixed by the simple passing of a few more laws. After focusing on the big picture, the essays become more specific, examining different ways to make a more efficient and effective legal system.

In part two, these essays expand to address a number of other social issues like the war in Iraq, labor issues, health care and the environment. The reader is forced to continuously re-examine their beliefs. Torsrud strips down problems to their core, creating arguments that are insightful, hard to challenge, and at times even humorous.