First published 2019
The protagonist navigates the brutal realities of California's prison system, moving between some of the state's most dangerous correctional facilities. Behind bars, he learns the unwritten rules that govern daily survival among inmates and guards alike. The story extends beyond prison walls into California's most violent neighborhoods, where the same codes of conduct often apply. While prison life forms the backbone of the narrative, the book explores deeper themes that connect institutional confinement to street survival. The protagonist must adapt to an environment where split-second decisions determine whether he lives or dies. Each day brings new challenges that test not just his physical endurance but his ability to maintain his humanity in a dehumanizing system. The story reveals how prison culture mirrors and amplifies the struggles of life in California's roughest communities.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, social-issues
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: institutional-confinement, survival
Setting: California
302 pages · Paperback · Independently Published
Content warnings: graphic-violence, violence