Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California

Are you concerned about the skyrocketing number of people in U.S. prisons? Look no further than Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California. This eye-opening book takes a deep dive into the reasons behind the alarming prison boom, particularly in California, shedding light on the political and economic forces that have contributed to this unprecedented growth. With a crime rate that has been steadily declining for years, it's time to question why California has undertaken "the biggest prison building project in the history of the world."

Ruth Wilson Gilmore, the author, provides an informed and impassioned account, examining the prison expansion from various perspectives. She explores how surpluses of finance capital, labor, land, and state capacity have played a role in driving this alarming trend. By delving into the crises that have hit California's economy, Gilmore convincingly argues that defeats of radical struggles, weakening of labor, and shifting patterns of capital investment have created the perfect conditions for the rapid growth of the prison system.

What are the consequences of this prison boom? Golden Gulag highlights the troubling realities, including a vast and expensive prison system, a disproportionately high number of incarcerated young people of color, and the implementation of punitive justice measures such as the notorious "three strikes" law. As you read through the pages of this book, questions about the future of California, the United States, and the world will arise, urging you to reevaluate assumptions about the beneficiaries and victims of the state's commitment to prison expansion.

Ready to gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex dilemma? Golden Gulag offers a rich context, challenging long-held beliefs and shedding light on the social and economic implications of mass incarceration. Take a step towards enlightenment. Dive into Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California and uncover the shocking truth behind the prison industrial complex.

Click here to get your copy of Golden Gulag and embark on a thought-provoking journey.