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8 prisons. 51 months. One savage system.
From healer to inmate: one man’s true story.
In this haunting memoir, a clinical psychologist sentenced to 51 months for healthcare fraud confronts the harsh realities of federal prison. Incarcerated amid the chaos of the COVID pandemic, he endured a relentless odyssey through eight different prison facilities, caught in a near-perpetual cycle of transfer. Through his expert lens, CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT: A Memoir of the Psychological Realities of Federal Prison unveils the stark truth of an uncivilized, harsh, and insane system that erodes the very essence of humanity.
The author reveals a grim truth: extended exposure to the cruel environment of prison—crafted by government policy and the ruthless prisoner code—strips away humanity, pushing individuals toward savagery. Drawing from his own struggle to preserve his sense of self and the hard-earned wisdom of those who survived years of confinement, he offers a raw, introspective exploration of survival under psychological siege.
Countless prison memoirs exist, but many are marred by exaggeration, falsehoods, or a lack of objective clarity. Few offer the raw, unfiltered honesty found in this account.
This powerful narrative is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the harsh realities of prison.
About the Author Paul Smith
Paul Smith, PhD, born in 1964 in rural Michigan, practiced as a clinical psychologist for 23 years in hospitals, universities, outpatient clinics, and a thriving private practice. In 2018, amid severe personal challenges, he committed healthcare fraud, leading to an indictment and a 51-month federal prison sentence, of which he served 28 months. This experience reshaped his views on justice and humanity. Now an author, Smith draws on his professional expertise and personal journey to write insightful works. A dedicated traveler, he infuses his narratives with global perspectives. As a father of four, his children ground his writing. Smith’s unique blend of expertise and lived experience establishes him as a distinctive voice in contemporary literature, offering profound reflections on the human condition.
