October 31, 2025 3:06 AM PDT
What really stands in the way of fixing America’s prison system? For many, the justice system feels like a confusing maze filled with rules, bureaucracy, and slow progress. To understand it better, many readers turn to books on prison reform written by people who have lived through the system. Iranian-American author Hassan Nemazee shares his story in “Persia, Politics & Prison,” offering a rare look at the intersection of finance, politics, and incarceration. His journey reveals the human side of a system that impacts millions and the obstacles that make meaningful reform so difficult.
Real change in the prison system moves slowly and often gets tangled in politics. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, for example, had bipartisan support in 2015 and could have been a major step forward. Yet political disagreements stopped it from passing. This happens repeatedly. Even when lawmakers agree on the need for change, progress can depend more on political timing than public good. The result is a system that often rewards delay over action.
Bureaucracy also stands in the way. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a massive agency with layers of policies that make reform slow to implement. Take the First Step Act, which was meant to help eligible inmates move to home confinement. A loophole allowed the agency to delay decisions for up to 30 days before courts could act. That delay meant families waited longer, and many inmates missed their chance at earlier release. These procedural barriers turn even promising laws into uphill battles.
Inside the prisons, the problems continue. Programs like the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) are supposed to help inmates earn reduced sentences and develop life skills. But access to these programs is limited, and selection is often inconsistent. Some inmates fear that speaking out or questioning authority could hurt their chances of participating. This creates a culture of silence and mistrust, where the system seems designed to control rather than rehabilitate.
The way success is measured also needs to change. Too often, the system focuses on how many people stay locked up instead of how many successfully rebuild their lives. True progress would mean tracking rehabilitation and reintegration. “Clean slate” laws that seal criminal records can help people find work after release, reducing recidivism and strengthening communities.
Hassan Nemazee’s story highlights the challenges of reform and the importance of understanding how real lives are affected by policy. To learn more about his experiences and ongoing advocacy, visit his website. There, you can find details about his book “Persia, Politics & Prison” and his speaking engagements on criminal justice reform.
What really stands in the way of fixing America’s prison system? For many, the justice system feels like a confusing maze filled with rules, bureaucracy, and slow progress. To understand it better, many readers turn to books on prison reform written by people who have lived through the system. Iranian-American author Hassan Nemazee shares his story in “Persia, Politics & Prison,” offering a rare look at the intersection of finance, politics, and incarceration. His journey reveals the human side of a system that impacts millions and the obstacles that make meaningful reform so difficult.
Real change in the prison system moves slowly and often gets tangled in politics. The Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, for example, had bipartisan support in 2015 and could have been a major step forward. Yet political disagreements stopped it from passing. This happens repeatedly. Even when lawmakers agree on the need for change, progress can depend more on political timing than public good. The result is a system that often rewards delay over action.
Bureaucracy also stands in the way. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a massive agency with layers of policies that make reform slow to implement. Take the First Step Act, which was meant to help eligible inmates move to home confinement. A loophole allowed the agency to delay decisions for up to 30 days before courts could act. That delay meant families waited longer, and many inmates missed their chance at earlier release. These procedural barriers turn even promising laws into uphill battles.
Inside the prisons, the problems continue. Programs like the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) are supposed to help inmates earn reduced sentences and develop life skills. But access to these programs is limited, and selection is often inconsistent. Some inmates fear that speaking out or questioning authority could hurt their chances of participating. This creates a culture of silence and mistrust, where the system seems designed to control rather than rehabilitate.
The way success is measured also needs to change. Too often, the system focuses on how many people stay locked up instead of how many successfully rebuild their lives. True progress would mean tracking rehabilitation and reintegration. “Clean slate” laws that seal criminal records can help people find work after release, reducing recidivism and strengthening communities.
Hassan Nemazee’s story highlights the challenges of reform and the importance of understanding how real lives are affected by policy. To learn more about his experiences and ongoing advocacy, visit his website. There, you can find details about his book “Persia, Politics & Prison” and his speaking engagements on criminal justice reform.