Tough but Fair: Reformation of a Prison, Memoir of a Warden
By Winston E. Satran
This book originated from Winston Satran's 28 years of experience working with troubled juveniles and convicted felons.
On December 1, 1972, he was appointed Deputy Warden of the North Dakota State Penitentiary. He describes the prison as being on the verge of being out of control daily…inadequately funded and staffed by untrained, aging correctional officers; uneducated managerial staff; and one qualified social worker. The combination of these factors led to assaults on staff, improper discipline, a rapid decline in the facility structure, and extreme disrepair of the utilities and services.
A new warden was appointed, and he began to organize a plan to regain control of the inmate population, institute programs that would divert the inmates away from criminal behavior within the prison and build respect for the staff.
These challenges led Satran on a journey that was intellectually, physically, and spiritually transformative. He called it "the greatest challenge of my life.”
Softcover. 332 pages Published by North Dakota State University Press
