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Ted Conover, author of Coyotes, spent a year as a prison guard at Sing Sing, New York's most troubled maximum-security facility. His account of that experience is a significant contribution to American journalism, shedding light on the nation's prison crisis and setting a new standard for in-depth reporting. At Sing Sing, once a model prison, Conover works as a gallery officer, supervising violent inner-city felons. He quickly realizes the challenges of adhering strictly to protocol. He grapples with the tension of impending fights, losing keys, and being physically attacked. Over time, he learns to navigate the delicate balance between leniency and authority that defines a good guard. Throughout his journey, Conover introduces a diverse cast of characters, including a tough supervisor named Mama Cradle, mentally ill inmates, flamboyant transvestites, and a philosophical inmate who highlights the troubling reality of future prisons being built for children as young as four. Conover also provides a historical overview of Sing Sing, detailing its origins and its role in capital punishment, offering a concise education on America's penal system. With empathy and insight, he reveals a harsh, hidden world, illustrating the conflict between the need to isolate criminals and the dehumanization that occurs within prison walls.