Warden: Texas Prison Life and Death from the Inside Out

Long-time correctional administrator Jim Willett and his college roommate, Ron Rozelle, have produced an exceptionally interesting book on prison life from a very personal perspective. Drawing on Willett's distinguished career with the Texas Department of Corrections that spanned three decades, the authors bring to light aspects of a prison employee's life that rarely find their way into print. Willett, who began his prison career as a correctional officer, worked his way up in the organization to become, at the time of his retirement, Senior Warden of the historic Huntsville Unit, where court-ordered executions are carried out and over which Willett presided. Persons seeking a better understanding of the Texas criminal justice system and life behind bars would find value in this wonderfully thoughtful and revealing book.

Jim Willett was what some people might think of as a contradiction in terms--a compassionate prison warden. He did his job, which included giving the signal for executions to take place, while inwardly questioning the humanity of capital punishment. This is a fascinating story of a man who began his career in the prison system as a part-time guard, trying to earn some money for college. He fully intended to leave after graduation, but somehow he never did and as the years went by and the promotions came, he continued in the work for which he seemed so well-suited. This book is written in the first person and this adds to the immediacy of the description of prison life and the relations between prisoner and prison employee. The stories which are told in this book show the depths to which human beings can go and also the common humanity which binds us together. This is a fascinating and well-written book.

Rarely is a 'civilian' afforded the opportunity of viewing the prison system from such an honest and insightful perspective. Messrs. Willett and Rozelle have succeeded in creating a compelling work of non-fiction that reads as well as a good work of fiction. My appraisal of Mr. Willett is that of a totally dedicated, honest and compassionate man who did an outstanding job--few men could have done better. This book will remain a permanent part of my personal library.

Warden is a genuine daily chronicle of life within the Texas Prison System. Jim Willett not only provides an honest insight into such a society but reflects on the humanity of both the "guard" and the guarded and the daily personal struggles and decisions that are required for such a profession. Warden is well written and provides histroical information on a personal and interesting level from start to finish.

Upon completing the book "Warden" I was truly impressed with it. It was written in a style that not only depicts the character of the author, but gives a good deal of insight into the organization which he was employed. This work is written and presented in a manner that refuses to allow the reader to become bored. It contains many quality photographs of those individuals whom Warden Willett speaks of and one will immediately be aware that this is not just another book about prison life. The reader is made privy to the emotions and personality of the author and will walk away with a greatly expanded understanding of daily life in prison and it's effects upon others. This is not the typical "Blood, Guts & Violence" book about life in prison, but instead is one which depicts the more mundane and less frequently described side of it and how it impacted the author during his 30 year tenure. This is a book that will not only stir the emotions of the reader, but will bring a better understanding of the daily aspects of life for both the keeper and the kept within the walls.