Bookmonger: ‘In the Spider’s Web’ a hard look at juvenile prison

“In the Spider’s Web ” by Jerome Gold

Did any of you have an opportunity to watch the recent Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board hearings, aired on TVW? I was riveted to the television set, staying up into the wee hours to watch these convicted offenders, and their support teams, petition the board for pardons or commutations. The stories behind the crimes and the criminals were both horrifying and heartrending – how can it be that in a society that prides itself on opportunity, so many people can go so far astray? But these were also stories about rehabilitation – maybe even reformation – behind bars.

To follow up, I read “In the Spider’s Web” by Jerome Gold, author and guiding force behind Black Heron Press. Gold has a doctorate in anthropology, but his career was in corrections – he worked for many years in a Washington State juvenile prison. This is the second installment in an intended trilogy of books devoted to Gold’s experience as a counselor at “Ash Meadow.”

This book contains fragments of the stories of many young offenders – kids who had committed burglary, robbery, arson, assault, rape, murder. Kids who might be suicidal, mentally ill, or even terminally ill. Addicts. Gang members.

But Gold focuses particularly on “Caitlin Weber” (her name has been changed to protect her identity), who comes into the system as a 13-year-old after participating with her mother and four other youths in the murder of her mother’s employer.

Caitlin has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, and spends the first five years at Ash Meadow until she ages out of the system and is transferred to Purdy when she turns 18.

In her five years at Ash Meadows, Caitlin and Gold develop a strong bond, but it doesn’t start out that way. Up to this point, the primary adults in Caitlin’s life – her mom and her dad – have neglected, abused, or manipulated her. It takes time for her to realize that Gold’s stalwart presence in her life is no illusion. Gradually, she develops her own self-confidence and determination to succeed.

But as Gold points out, all of this happens in a system that is far from perfect. There are administrative flip-flops in terms of treatment options. Miscommunications happen. Agencies bicker amongst themselves, at the expense of the charges in their care. There are power struggles among staff members. The young inmates can be volatile and violent. Likewise, when staff get demoralized, or frightened, or angry – they sometimes lash out at the their young captives.

The service that “Ash Meadow” provides is essential, but is it optimal?

Gold’s reportage is stark. The stories he shares are disturbing and profound.

“In the Spider’s Web” provokes us to ask ourselves if we are satisfied to be living in a society that has systematized the incarceration of children in this way. What would it take to summon our collective will and create a culture in which children are safe from the egregious conditions that lead them so early into lives of hopelessness and crime?

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Bookmonger: ‘In the Spider’s Web’ a hard look at juvenile prison."