Conversational and Unpredictable
The characters in Lockdown don't often mince words; they tend to say what they mean. The few times that another character is being manipulative, Reese sees through their act immediately. When Reese's mom says she's starting a waitressing job, he knows she's not telling the truth—he thinks, "Lie" (8.64) during her announcement.
Since he's in jail, Reese doesn't exactly get out much; therefore, most of the book consists of him having one-on-one conversations with other characters. To make the dialogue sound like real conversation, the author doesn't always use perfect grammar.
Reese also has a good sense of humor, so many of his conversations provide a breather from some of the heavy themes in the novel. He seems to feel most comfortable around his friend Play:
"Why you eating the core of that apple?" I asked. "You that hungry?'
"No, I'm too lazy to take it over to the garbage can," Play said. (15.8-15.9)
The plot is constructed in such a way that it's hard to predict exactly what will happen. A fight might break out at any moment; the police go after Reese for a crime he didn't commit, and then drop it without a word; Reese thinks he's a lock for getting an early release, but the committee decides he has to serve his full sentence. In this way, the reader's uncertainty mimics Reese's confusion about what will happen next. At least we can close the book at any time—Reese is stuck in his world.