In Lockdown, criminality is a concept that is unfairly applied. A character like Mr. Pugh, an employee at Progress, can commit criminal acts without getting into trouble, but Reese takes the heat for a crime he didn't even commit. (The reason? Two years ago, Reese stole some prescription pads, and now it's like he's branded as a criminal for life.) In getting to know Reese and some of his fellow inmates—even people like his friend Play, who committed a violent crime—we come to understand that these criminals are human teenagers who crack jokes and think about the future, too.
Questions About Criminality
- Do you think the cops who want to pin Reese with murder ever truly believe that he's guilty? Explain your answer.
- Progress isn't exactly known for its ambiance. Why does being there make Reese feel like something less than human?
- Reese describes prison as a magnet that keeps pulling people back in. What causes that cycle?
Chew on This
Reese thrives at Evergreen because he isn't treated like a criminal. But back at Progress, he gets into a lot of trouble.
It may not be fair, but Reese is correct in believing that his crime of stealing prescription pads will follow him for the rest of his life.