How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I hoped it didn't rain on the days I was coming to Evergreen, because I didn't want them seeing me in my orange rain hood. (1.51)
Reese is really self-conscious about being visually identified as a prisoner. Or who knows, maybe orange just isn't his color.
Quote #2
"Mr. Robinson the Terrorist!"
"Glad to be here, sir!" Play called back.
"Mr. Sanchez the bank robber!"
"Glad to be here, sir!" Diego called. (3.3-3.6)
Mr. Wilson's little joke is to make up these names for the inmates during roll call. But how do you think these guys feel when they're called terrorists and bank robbers? Yeah, not good.
Quote #3
Being at Progress, hearing the bars slam or standing in the halls waiting for somebody to unlock one of the steel doors, made me feel like maybe I was an animal or something. (6.14)
Reese describes how being in prison is dehumanizing—he feels like "an animal," unable to move freely and locked in a cage. The food isn't so hot, either.
Quote #4
"I know it was wrong, sir, but I broke in and stole a whole bunch of blank prescription forms." (7.89)
This is it: the crime that Reese was imprisoned for. Worth noting is the fact that he takes responsibility and is honest about what he did when Mr. Hooft asks.
Quote #5
"They can't ask if you've been arrested, and if they did ask, you don't have to answer. Did you know that?" (9.10)
Miss Williams tells the inmates at Progress that it's illegal for potential employers to ask about their criminal records. But the inmates point out that's not the way it plays out in real life. Everybody is either into a hustle or doing crimes. I'm trying to keep straight like you said,
Quote #6
Everybody is either into a hustle or doing crimes. I'm trying to keep straight like you said, but I really need somebody to hang out with who isn't being shot at or drugging up or getting into trouble. (19.7)
In a letter to Reese, Kenneth describes how crime is almost infectious in his neighborhood. Why do you think that might be?
Quote #7
I knew I hadn't done what they were saying, but it really didn't matter. Some girl had died and they were making sure that somebody was going to pay for her death. (29.48)
Reese is getting pinned with a crime he didn't commit. And since he's already a criminal, it's near impossible to prove that he's innocent. What happened to being presumed innocent?
Quote #8
They said that most of the people from 'round my way who go to jail once, go back again. Maybe even when they were out, there wasn't nothing for them but a road back. (29.57)
Reese often worries that returning to jail is inevitable. It's almost as though criminals don't have a choice in the matter. This concept is generally known as recidivism, and it's a very real issue.
Quote #9
Mr. Pugh hit his horn again and the brother came over to the driver's side. Mr. Pugh pulled his gun and held it on his lap. (31.29)
While he's driving Reese back to Progress, Mr. Pugh impersonates a cop. This is actually a serious crime, by the way, and yet Mr. Pugh doesn't seem at all concerned.
Quote #10
"People looking at me and hanging my record around my neck. The record is worse than those orange jumpsuits we wear." (34.2)
Once a criminal, always a criminal—or at least that's how the world sees Reese, even though he's just fifteen years old. That's a big label for a young person to wear.