In Literacy Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Women: Sentences and Sponsors, Melanie N. Burdick uses narrative research to elucidate the literacy experiences of formerly incarcerated women and how literacy has affected their lives, both while incarcerated and while transitioning back into society. Using Deborah Brandt’s theory of literacy sponsorship (1998), Burdick explores both the mass incarceration of women and their access to literacy as feminist and social justice issues. While reading and writing in prison is often romanticized through caricatures of incarcerated people who become enlightened and reformed, Burdick targets these romanticized views and criticizes their controlling and harmful effects. This book shines a light on the personal and political ramifications of literacy experiences in women’s lives as they grow up in families and schools, move through the prison system, and transition back into society and higher education, arguing that literacy is politically situated and that transitioning out of prison is a complex process marked by literate acts that are dependent upon constructive literacy sponsorship.

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The narrative-based inquiry presented here creates an enjoyable reading experience as opposed to the rigid informational style of a textbook. Burdick makes a great effort to incorporate the lens of feminist theory when depicting the lived literacy experiences of inmates. She assesses the impact of traditional forms of research that have historically analyzed data from a masculine perspective, thus silencing women’s voices and romanticizing their experiences. Burdick does an excellent job presenting this qualitative research by acknowledging her own voice and experiences in the preface, indicating her awareness of her own positioning in researching and writing this book. This makes the text more substantial from an academic perspective and produces great respect for the author’s research and transparency. Burdick aims to address the oppression of women and a justice system that contributes to this, fueling stigma and shame. She expertly recounts the profound and remarkable transitioning process of the four women this study addresses. The author makes a valuable contribution to feminist literature with this topic. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.