iPRISON

About the Book

i PRISON is the autobiography of a veteran journalist who spent ten years under the rule of the Indiana Department of Correction. What is inherent in Hoosierland is not much different than what is found in other states.

Why the small i? Because incarceration made him feel small, real small. The book is sub-titled, “The Injustice in Justice.”

 “While in a daze as best I remember, I was grabbed by the arm and led from the courtroom. I was too stunned to cry. I was unable to turn my head and look at my loved ones. My mind became a blank as my life as I had known it for almost 72 years came to an end.”

 to

 “When I walked out of the prison ingesting at long last fresh, fresh air, I broke down for several minutes in the comfortable front seat of Carole’s car. I couldn’t control myself, much as I tried. Six-plus years of emotions spewed forth.”

i PRISON is a story of “trials and imprisonment that needs to be told,” according to author/book publisher Nancy Niblack Baxter, daughter of longtime federal judge John L. Niblack. “People need to know how screwed up a man’s life can be by legal mistakes and laziness of a system over which an individual has no control,” Mrs. Baxter stated.

            As you read this book, you will notice statements that seem to contradict earlier assertions. One instance is that prisoners should be educated as part of a rehabilitation  program, but also that college courses are offered. I don’t know the number taking courses (including G. E. D.) but, out of 25,000 inmates, the percentage is small. Thus, not much education.

            I have tried to be fair; however, from the inside of the prison system it is difficult not to be biased, so consequently the minuses far outweigh the plusses. To be otherwise would not be true.

I hope that this is the closest to the justice system readers of this book come and that my account is both enlightening as well as interesting. I also hope that it will give second thoughts to any who might be on the verge of breaking the law and will motivate those in a position to improve the prison system. I emphasize that “the worst day of your life while not in prison . . . .  is way, way better than your best day while in prison.”

About the Author

R. Rathbone Leonard began his journalism career at age 16 as sports editor of the school paper at Culver Military Academy, and as late as mid-summer of 2006  at age 79 was an active journalist, writing a sports column for an Indianapolis suburban newspaper. In between he worked for a Cass County (Ind.) weekly on the G. I. Bill, owned a weekly in Wabash County (Ind.), was  sports editor of the Frankfort (Ind.) Times, and was a reporter, sports writer, assistant Sunday editor, assistant state editor and  photo editor during a 23-year stint at The Indianapolis Star. Leonard attended the University of Chicago before serving in the Navy V-5 (pilot training) program during World War II. He attended St. Ambrose College (Iowa), Colorado College, Indiana University and Ball State University where he attained a bachelor’s degree in communications. He had a story published in the Congressional Record and articles on U. S. harness racing in a Paris (France) newspaper, as well as stories in several magazines such as TV Guide. Leonard was a correspondent for the Chicago Herald-American.  For three years he moderated a television program on WTTV, (Indianapolis), and from 1961 through 1965 published a national pro wrestling magazine. He was interim Sports Information Director one year at Indiana Central University. This is his first book.