Michael Santos
| Michael G. Santos | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 1964 Seattle, Washington |
| Education: | Mercer University (B.A., 1992); Hofstra University (M.A., 1995) |
| Occupation: | Author; educator; federal prison consultant |
| Conviction: | Continuing criminal enterprise (cocaine distribution), 1987 |
| Sentence: | 45 years (served 26 years) |
| Status: | Released (2012) |
| Known for: | Inside: Life Behind Bars in America; co-founder of Prison Professors |
Michael G. Santos (born 1964) is an American author, educator, and federal prison consultant who served 26 years in federal prison and then built a career writing about incarceration and advising people preparing for federal sentences. Convicted in 1987 of operating a cocaine distribution enterprise, Santos earned undergraduate and graduate degrees while incarcerated and published several books, including the St. Martin's Press title Inside: Life Behind Bars in America.[1][2]
After his release in 2012, Santos taught criminal justice at San Francisco State University, lectured at law schools, and co-founded the education brand Prison Professors with Justin Paperny.[3][4]
Early Life and Conviction
Santos was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1964 and grew up in the area.[2] He was arrested on August 11, 1987, at age 23, in connection with a cocaine distribution operation.[2] He was convicted at trial of operating a continuing criminal enterprise under federal law, along with related drug and perjury counts, and was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison.[2][5]
Incarceration
Santos served his sentence across a series of federal facilities at multiple security levels over more than two decades.[5] During his incarceration he pursued formal education, earning a bachelor's degree from Mercer University in 1992 and a master's degree from Hofstra University in 1995. He began doctoral study at the University of Connecticut, though prison officials curtailed that work.[2] He was released to community confinement in August 2012 and completed his federal obligation in August 2013.[5][6]
Writing
Santos wrote extensively while incarcerated. His book Inside: Life Behind Bars in America was published by St. Martin's Press in 2006; Publishers Weekly described it as "a blunt, often disturbing look at America's prison system."[1] He produced additional titles on prison life, sentencing, and reentry, including Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, and contributed columns to outlets including Forbes and HuffPost.[4]
Release and Career
Following his release, Santos taught criminal justice courses at San Francisco State University and lectured at institutions including Stanford Law School and the University of California, Berkeley.[3] He was featured in a 2014 PBS NewsHour segment on mass incarceration.[3] He co-founded the Prison Professors brand with Justin Paperny, producing courses and educational materials on federal sentencing, prison preparation, and reentry, along with an affiliated nonprofit. He has also worked with corrections agencies on reentry programming.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Michael Santos?
Michael Santos is an author, educator, and federal prison consultant who served 26 years in federal prison and later co-founded the Prison Professors brand with Justin Paperny.
Q: What was Michael Santos convicted of?
He was convicted at trial in 1987 of operating a continuing criminal enterprise involving cocaine distribution, along with related counts, and was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison.
Q: How long did Michael Santos serve?
He served 26 years before his release to community confinement in 2012; his federal obligation ended in 2013.
Q: Did Michael Santos earn degrees in prison?
Yes. He earned a bachelor's degree from Mercer University in 1992 and a master's degree from Hofstra University in 1995 while incarcerated.
Q: What did Michael Santos write?
His book Inside: Life Behind Bars in America was published by St. Martin's Press in 2006. He wrote additional books on prison life, sentencing, and reentry, including Earning Freedom.
Q: What is Prison Professors?
Prison Professors is an education brand Santos co-founded with Justin Paperny that produces courses and materials on federal sentencing, prison preparation, and reentry.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Inside: Life Behind Bars in America". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "A long road from a 45-year sentence".The Seattle Times.2006-09-24.Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "PBS NewsHour: mass incarceration segment".PBS NewsHour.2014-04-02.Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Michael Santos".Forbes.Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "After 26 years in prison, a new life begins".San Francisco Chronicle.2012-11-24.Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Former federal prisoner completes sentence, builds new career".NBC Bay Area.2013-10-18.Retrieved 2026-05-28.