053803: Life at Fifteen
Robert Gagnon’s autobiography, 053803: Life at Fifteen, recounts his experiences in Florida prison after he was given a life sentence at the age of 15 in 1976. Gagnon purposely attempted to get arrested by robbing a bank, hoping to get access to drug and alcohol counseling, however by accidentally wounding a bank employee, was tried as an adult by the conspiring prosecution and judge.
Gagnon describes his techniques for surviving the violent prisoners, corrupt guards, and insanity by listening to older prisoners, learning a trade skill, and at one point even starting his own cult in which he manipulated other prisoners to torture and kill animals. Gagnon’s 10 year ordeal is truly a story of survival.
053803: Life at Fifteen is available for purchase on Amazon.
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This is the book that will explain exactly what happens to a juvenile in adult prison. It elicits no sympathy, in fact you’ll probably dislike the main caracter. I wrote it, it is all true, and very accurate. It begins with the robbery, and ends with release from adult prison 9 1/2 years later.
This book explains the prison pecking order, the real story of prison sex, rape, torture, and domination. A few real escapes and one of the worse Florida prison riots are graphically described, just as I saw them. I was not a nice person while incarcerated, it just wasn’t an option. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care what happened to the weaker guys I was locked up with.
I never returned to prison, nor did most of my friends I hung out with in the prison system. The few I’ve had contact with are fairly successful. I helped start a charter school for troubled youth and talk to problem kids when I get the chance. I ensure that my place of work hires from the local work release when feasible, and we’ve had mostly positive results
Thanks so much for the comment. Have you written any other books? Do you have other books you’d recommend on this subject?
I am currently working on a follow up book called Micco. Also a textbook on reel grinding.
Similar prison books I think are pretty good are: A question of Freedom,/ Inside: Life behind bars(M. Santos), /and Fish: Boy in a mans prison.