NCJ Number
45925
Date Published
1977
Length
273 pages
Annotation
A CONVICTED DRUG USER PROVIDES A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF AN ADDICT'S DAY-TO-DAY EXISTENCE, BOTH IN PRISON AND ON THE STREETS.
Abstract
INTENDED FOR AN ACADEMIC AUDIENCE INTERESTED IN DEVIANCE, CRIME, CORRECTIONS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THIS FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE TRACES THE LIFE OF MANNY TORRES, A YOUNG PUERTO RICAN HEROIN ADDICT BORN IN NEW YORK CITY. MANNY PROVIDES A VIEW OF A VARIEGATED CRIMINAL CAREER THAT ACCEPTED SOCIAL SCIENCE TECHNIQUES ORDINARILY COULD NOT HAVE RENDERED. WRITTEN IN THE FRANK AND STRAIGHTFORWARD LANGUAGE OF STREET PEOPLE, DOPE ADDICTS, AND PRISON CONVICTS, IT PROVIDES A LINK BETWEEN REALITY AND SOCIAL THEORY, AND INCLUDES CHAPTERS ON DRUG-RELATED STREET CRIME, PRISON LIFE, AND MANNY'S EXPERIENCES AT SYNANON, A DRUG DETOXIFICATION INSTITUTE. SELECTED REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. THE NARRATIVE IS FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE STRUCTURALIST POSITION AND AN INTEGRATED THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE DESIGNED TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO A SOCIAL WORLD THAT FEW EXPERIENCE. (KBL)