Kropotkin seemed like the right man to write about these conditions, given his personal experience. The middle chapters can drag on a bit, with his extensive inclusion of statistics and descriptions of the conditions in Russian prisons. The final two chapters are excellent, though, and could make for a great read on their own, with them being far more socio-political.

"Our prisons are made for degrading all those who enter them, for killing the very last feelings of self respect." He effectively illustrates the conditions of both the worst and best of prisons, explains how they are destructive, and then constructs a proposal as to how they may not be necessary.

It's a great read for understanding the anarchist position on anti-social behavior. ( )