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The Keeper of the Keys
by Lee Dickenson, Lost Coast Press, 1999, 161 pages
Review by Rick Card
In a sequel to The Sounding Tree, published last year [PLN, May 1999], Lee Dickenson now offers a bundle of unrelated tales about his experience as a Connecticut prison guard. The stories range from administrative incompetence to …
Review by Rick Card
In a sequel to The Sounding Tree, published last year [PLN, May 1999], Lee Dickenson now offers a bundle of unrelated tales about his experience as a Connecticut prison guard. The stories range from administrative incompetence to …
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More from this issue:
- Youngstown Case Reveals New Legal Issues for Prisoner Advocates, State Correctional Agencies and Private Prison Companies, by Al Gerhardstein
- $1.5 Million Settlement in CA Jail Suicide Attempt
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics, by John Midgley
- Hearing Required Prior to Automatic Termination Under PLRA
- Guarding Their Silence: Corcoran Guards Acquitted of Rape, by Christian Parenti
- Megan's Law Fallout, by Willie Wisely
- CCPOA Runs Corcoran TV 'Ads'
- Review: With Liberty for Some: 500 Years of Imprisonment in America, by Rick Card
- The Keeper of the Keys, by Rick Card
- Gender and Justice: Women, Drugs, and Sentencing Policy
- Dean Injunction Clarified in Washington 35% Suit
- Washington DOC Settles Mail Censorship Suit
- Washington DOC Public Disclosure Overcharges Struck Down
- Class Certification Appeals Must Be Timely
- New Folsom Year Long Lockdown, by Willie Wisely
- Michigan DOC Settles Lawsuit Over PLN Book Ban
- Michigan Legislature Kills Class Action Suit by Female Prisoners, by Maia Justine Storm
- PLRA Attorney Fees Cap Violates Equal Protection Clause
- No Liberty Interest in Erroneous Parole Release, by Paul Wright
- Third Circuit Evenly Split on PLRA Attorney Fee Cap
- Brazoria Trial Brings Acquittals, Convictions in Jail Beatings
- CCA Facility Cited for Sex Scandal
- ADA and RA May Require Sign Language Interpreters
- Out-of-State Prisoner Housing Contracts Subject to Long-Arm Jurisdiction
- News in Brief
More from Rick Card:
- Book Review: Power, Politics, & Crime, Nov. 15, 2001
- Book Review: The Perpetual Prisoner Machine: How America Profits From Crime, July 15, 2001
- The Politics of Heroin: CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade, July 15, 2000
- Race to Incarcerate, April 15, 2000
- Review: With Liberty for Some: 500 Years of Imprisonment in America, March 15, 2000
- The Keeper of the Keys, March 15, 2000
- Reviews: Voices From Within the Prison Walls, Feb. 15, 2000
More from these topics:
- Punished for Bleeding: How Periods in Prison Become a Trap, Feb. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Gender Discrimination -- Women, Strip Searches, Hygiene Supplies, Discrimination (Transgender).
- Differing Judicial Outcomes for the New York Guards Who Killed Robert Brooks, Feb. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death), Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Pending Appeal/Sentencing.
- The New York Prison System’s Culture of Cruelty and Impunity, Feb. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Racial Discrimination, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death).
- Amnesty International Report Claims Torture and Enforced Disappearances at “Alligator Alcatraz”, Jan. 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Totality of Conditions, Detention - Generally, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Confinement in Segregated Housing.
- $950,000 Awarded to Trans Maryland Prisoner Dropped on Her Face by Guards, Nov. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Government Misconduct, Retaliation for Filing Grievances, Retaliation for Organizing, Retaliatory Segregation, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Discrimination (Transgender), Failure to Protect (Transgender), Immunity - Absolute and Qualified, Damages - Compensatory, Wrongful Use of Force.
- New York Jury Convicts Former Guard for Robert Brooks’ Taped Killing, Nov. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Guard Misconduct, Criminal justice system reform, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Evidence - Admissibility.
- Now Under Federal Receivership, New York City’s Rikers Island Jails Still Have No Plan to Improve, No Firm Date to Close, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Jail Misconduct, Corrections Audits, Systemic Medical Neglect, Medical Records, Eighth Amendment.
- Review: “Reforming the Shadow Carceral State”, Aug. 1, 2025. Reviews, Criminal justice system reform, Seizure of Prisoner Funds, Fines.
- Suit Filed Over Fatal Beating of New York Prisoner That Sparked Massive Guard Strike, Aug. 1, 2025. Guard Misconduct, Failure to Treat, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Restraints, Failure to Protect (Wrongful Death), Excessive Force (Wrongful Death).
- News in Brief, Aug. 1, 2025. Staff-Prisoner Assault, Private Prisons, Misconduct/Corruption, Guard Misconduct, Systemic Medical Neglect, Male Reproductive, Malpractice, Escapes, Guard Brutality/Beatings, Stun Guns/Tasers, Pepper Spray/Tear Gas, Restraints, Excessive Force (Wrongful Death), Juvenile Prisons, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bribery/Extortion/Theft.

