Overview
Tall Walls and High Fences is the first comprehensive history of Texas prisons, written by a former law enforcement officer and an officer of the Texas prisons. Bob Alexander and Richard K. Alford chronicle the significant events and transformation of the Texas prison system from its earliest times to the present day, paying special attention to the human side of the story. Within these pages are stories of prison breaks, bloodhounds chasing escapees, and gunfights. Inside the walls are deadly confrontations, human trafficking, rape, clandestine consensual trysts, and tricks turned against correctional officers.Famous people and episodes in Texas prison history receive their due, from Texas Rangers apprehending and placing outlaws in prison to the 1974 prison siege at Huntsville. Throughout this long history Alexander and Alford pay special tribute to the more than 75 correctional officers, lawmen, and civilians who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Full Product Details
Author: Bob Alexander ,
Richard K. Alford ,
William L. Stephens
Publisher: University of North Texas Press,U.S.
Imprint: University of North Texas Press,U.S.
Weight: 0.950kg
ISBN: 9781574418071
ISBN 10: 1574418076
Pages: 608
Publication Date: 30 November 2020
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
The authors have gathered a substantial and impressive number of anecdotes stretching over more than a century to tell the human story that has largely been ignored in other publications. --Paul N. Spellman, author of Captain John H. Rogers, Texas Ranger and Captain J. A. Brooks, Texas Ranger I worked for more than 30 years in the Texas criminal justice arena and have written extensively on the subject. This book has documented detailed events and information that I have never seen. I know of no other work that so comprehensively covers the material. --Lon Bennett Glenn, former warden and author of Texas Prisons and Texas Prison Tales
"""Through carefully constructed anecdotes and often graphic example comes a remarkable and balanced picture of the world of the correctional system, from both the prisoner's view and that of the officials who oversee that constantly changing system.""--Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books ""The authors have gathered a substantial and impressive number of anecdotes stretching over more than a century to tell the human story that has largely been ignored in other publications.""--Paul N. Spellman, author of Captain John H. Rogers, Texas Ranger and Captain J. A. Brooks, Texas Ranger ""I worked for more than 30 years in the Texas criminal justice arena and have written extensively on the subject. This book has documented detailed events and information that I have never seen. I know of no other work that so comprehensively covers the material.""--Lon Bennett Glenn, former warden and author of Texas Prisons and Texas Prison Tales"
Author Information
BOB ALEXANDER is the co-author of Texas Rangers and author of Old Riot, New Ranger and Winchester Warriors, all published by UNT Press. He lives in Maypearl, Texas. RICHARD K. ALFORD was a warden at several Texas prisons and retired as the overall administrator for fifteen prison units. He lives in Huntsville.
