© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Michigan Prison Inmate's Book Raises Ethics Questions

Michigan Dept. of Corrections
Curtis Dawkins, Michigan prison inmate

A Michigan inmate's book that was published this summer is raising questions as to whether a prison writer should profit from tragedy.

The Detroit News reports that 49-year-old Curt Dawkins is imprisoned for fatally shooting Tom Bowman of Kalamazoo while on drugs in 2004.

He's serving life without parole at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater.

While in prison, Dawkins wrote a collection of short stories about prison life called, "The Graybar Hotel."

A literary agent signed Dawkins and sold the collection to Scribner for a dollar amount in the low six figures.

Dawkins says his share goes toward his children's education.

Bowman's brother says Dawkins shouldn't be allowed to publish anything.

Their mother says she's glad Dawkins wrote the book and forgives him.

Related Content
WKAR’s first live pledge drive since federal funding was eliminated is happening now. Our goal for the drive is $60,000 and reaching it will bring us one step closer to closing the federal funding gap.
Your support helps keep trusted journalism, classical music, and educational programming freely available for everyone in our community.
How can you help? Become a sustaining donor today. Already a sustainer? Please consider increasing your monthly contribution.