
No Human Contact
Solitary Confinement, Maximum Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System
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Narrated by:
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Rich Miller
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By:
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Pete Earley
About this listen
In 1983, Thomas Silverstein and Clayton Fountain, both serving life sentences at the U.S. Prison in Marion, Illinois, separately murdered two correction officers on the same day. The Bureau of Prisons condemned both men to the severest punishment that could legally be imposed, one created specifically for them. It was unofficially called "no human contact."
Each initially spent nine months in a mattress-sized cell where the lights burned twenty-four hours a day. They were clothed only in boxer shorts, completely sealed off from the outside world with only their minds to occupy their time. Fountain turned to religion and endured twenty-one years before dying alone of natural causes. Silverstein became a skilled artist and lasted thirty-six years, longer than any other American prisoner in isolation.
Pete Earley—the only journalist to be granted face-to-face access with Silverstein—examines profound questions at the heart of our justice system. Were Silverstein and Fountain born bad? Or were they twisted by abusive childhoods? Did incarceration offer them a chance of rehabilitation—or force them to commit increasingly heinous crimes? No Human Contact elicits a uniquely deep and uncomfortable understanding of the crimes committed, the use of solitary confinement, and the reality of life, redemption, and death behind prison walls.
©2023 Pete Earley Inc. (P)2023 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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What listeners say about No Human Contact
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- Dennis
- 11-24-24
Worthy read
Very well researched and narrated. Interesting history of the prison system as it relates to what most would considered cold blooded killers
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- George William Abel Jr
- 06-30-24
Parents
Parents can destroy or cherish. Those who destroy their children leave far reaching ramifications. It is clear that a loving father and mother is a great gift.
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- Mike
- 05-18-23
Better than expected
I enjoyed this; a culmination of years' worth of research and reporting, more than some inmate's ramblings. I learned quite a bit. Interesting twist that no victim-perspectives included; I think I like the one-sided (biographical) view
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- H. Franke
- 03-19-24
Crime in Criminal Justice
The death penalty must be made illegal again. Solitary confinement as well. Our justice system is broken. Spoiled guards of jails and prisons need to be thrown out.
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- Kristen Jenkins
- 05-15-23
Awesome Awesome Awesomeness!!!
I loved it , I saw ya interview with Chad Marks, I am @ Mikey “ Bronx “ 7 also known as 7CROWNZ www.7CROWNZ.com I look real excited in the video just got out of prison!! Lol been out since. Tommy is a legend!!! May he finally rest in peace tuffest men on the planet. Let me know if you would like me to do the audible version of ( Hot House ) I have 7 different voices hence the name 7CROWNZ. 😊😄 Awesome work brother!! Thank you
Mikey 7
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- jessica
- 03-23-24
Amazing
I thought the book was excellent very interesting I would read it or listen again no problem
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