Description
Book SynopsisRoth explores the lives of prisoners and others as well as the political and social circumstances of the Ohio Penitentiary Fire in this first comprehensive account of a tragedy whose circumstances—violent unrest, overcrowding, poorly trained and underpaid guards, unsanitary conditions, inadequate food—will be familiar to prison watchdogs today.
Trade Review“This is the first scholarly account of the conflagration that in April 1930 took the lives of 320 convicts at the Ohio State Penitentiary: it demands the attention of all who have an interest in prison history. Contained passion, painstaking research and story-telling flair—a remarkable achievement.”
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Fire in the Big House is an excellent contribution to the history of corrections. In fluid, vivid prose, Roth convincingly ties one of the worst prison tragedies to numerous contemporary corrections issues.”
“Meticulously researched and impressively detailed,
Fire in the Big House revisits the haunting story of America’s worst prison tragedy. Roth takes this unjustly neglected event and brings it fully to life once more, reminding readers why it is more important than ever.”
“Mitchel Roth has produced a captivating work offering a fresh perspective on the pains of imprisonment…. The result is not simply a consuming story, but is also a powerful consideration of public commemoration and historical memory.” * Punishment & Society *
