Prison Nurse Mayhem, Murder and Medicine by Ellen Kane

Prison Nurse Mayhem, Murder and Medicine by Ellen Kane is a memoir about Ms Kane as a nurse working in a correction centre. Through her personal experience and memories of events happens to others the reader learns about bad men going bad things, but mostly good men doing bad things. As a divorced woman and a single mother, Ms Kane found this job close to her house, at first in substitution for another nurse in maternity leave else and for the night shift. Even though she was not enthusiast about the opening offered, she accepted knowing that once inside she had more chances for other openings. As a matter of fact, she was right: after some time she moved to the evening shift.

As someone who worked for as a volunteer in the correction system of my country, I was delighted to read this memoir by Ellen Kane. Prison Nurse, Mayhem, Murder and Medicine is a collection of real events happened between 1985 and 1995 in the Stillwater State Prison, Minnesota. In a refreshing style, Ms Kane introduces the reader to a system of locked doors and bars where life is not easy, not only for the permanent residents but also for the employees. Through her eyes, we witness the evolution of the American correction system from rehabilitation centres to warehouse, to stock inmates like in an overbooked hotel. Despite the tough subject, I read the book in two days and was almost disappointed when I realised it was over.

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite