Review:

“The Real Cost of Prisons Comix” is a groundbreaking graphic anthology that distills the complex realities of mass incarceration in the United States into accessible, engaging, and often hard-hitting comics. Created by a team of artists, writers, and activists, the book is structured around three main comic sections—“Prison Town: Paying the Price,” “Prisoners of the War on Drugs,” and “Prisoners of a Hard Life: Women and Children”—each packed with facts, figures, and personal stories.

Key Facts and Figures:

• The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with over 2 million people behind bars—about 1 in every 100 adults.
• The book highlights that the U.S. holds about 5% of the world’s population but nearly 25% of its prisoners.
• Racial disparities are stark: Black Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of white Americans; Latino people are also disproportionately affected.
• The “War on Drugs” is shown to be a major driver of mass incarceration, with nonviolent drug offenses accounting for a significant portion of prison and jail populations.
• The economic cost is staggering: the U.S. spends over $80 billion annually on prisons and jails, diverting resources from education, healthcare, and social services.
• The impact on families and communities is profound—millions of children have a parent in prison, and entire neighborhoods are destabilized by high incarceration rates.

Educational Value and Approach: The book excels at defining terms (like “mandatory minimums,” “three strikes laws,” and “prison-industrial complex”) and explaining policy issues in clear, simple language. Through comics, it humanizes statistics and policy debates, making them relatable for students and activists alike. The anthology includes real-life stories, infographics, and discussion questions, making it ideal for classroom use and community workshops.

Policy Issues Addressed:

• The economic incentives behind prison construction and the “prison-industrial complex.”
• The criminalization of poverty and the cycle of incarceration.
• The unique challenges faced by women, mothers, and children in the system.
• The long-term consequences of felony convictions, including barriers to employment, housing, and voting.

Impact: Praised for its clarity and accessibility, “The Real Cost of Prisons Comix” has been widely used in middle and high school classrooms, youth organizations, and activist circles. It serves as both an introduction to the injustices of the U.S. prison system and a call to action for reform and abolition.

This book is awesome! Would be great teaching material for middle and high school students, and worksheets for activists in youth organizations. Defines terms and explains issues in a clear, simple, accessible way. Easy to relate to, and a great introduction to a more in-depth look at policies that rip apart communities and destroy lives.