State Raised

On March 11, 1994, nineteen-year-old Matt Wright was sentenced to serve forty-one years in the Washington State Department of Corrections for first-degree murder. Wright shares his honest perspectives and sometimes shocking personal experiences as he takes a fascinating look into the real world of prison life.

Wright pulls no punches as he tells about an institution manipulated by drugs, politics, violence, gangs, and fear, where every action is scrutinized. He doesn't sugarcoat his vivid descriptions about long nights, hollow cells, strip searches, and predators, yet he also manages to show the good side of prison by sharing lessons learned, betterment programs offered, and heartfelt actions by generous staff. By including the stories of five prisoners with different backgrounds, Wright proves that each inmate experiences prison life very differently. Finally, he shares the touching words of his now-deceased sister, Katie, who provides a firsthand account of the trauma she suffered after his arrest and the strength she subsequently gained as a result.

One day Matt Wright will go home, and this will not be his life. For those about to enter prison and for their families they left behind, Wright has provided the information needed to help ease into a new life behind walls.