Education of a Felon

1. A Life Forged in Chaos: Early Exposure to Instability and Crime

At five, I heard my mother proclaim that the earthquake and storm were omens, for I was trouble from the start, beginning with colic.

Unstable Beginnings. Edward Bunker's early life was marked by instability, broken homes, and a constant shifting between foster care, boarding schools, and military academies. This chaotic environment fostered a sense of rootlessness and a lack of consistent guidance, setting the stage for his future involvement in crime.

Early Signs of Rebellion. Even as a young child, Bunker displayed a defiant and anti-authoritarian streak, running away from institutions and engaging in acts of petty delinquency. These early behaviors foreshadowed his later struggles with authority and his rejection of societal norms.

The Absence of a Moral Compass. The lack of a stable family structure and positive role models left Bunker without a strong moral foundation. This absence made him vulnerable to the allure of the streets and the values of the criminal underworld, where loyalty and self-preservation often trumped conventional morality.

2. The Education of a Felon: Finding Solace and Intellect Behind Bars

It was during the four-and-a-half-year stay at San Quentin that Bunker discovered books and began to read and write.

Discovering Literature. Incarceration, paradoxically, provided Bunker with the opportunity for self-education and intellectual growth. He became a voracious reader, devouring classic literature and developing a passion for writing.

Finding a Voice. Writing became a means of self-expression and a way to make sense of his experiences. Despite the harsh realities of prison life, Bunker found solace and purpose in crafting stories and exploring the complexities of human nature.

The Power of Knowledge. Bunker's intellectual pursuits transformed him from a streetwise delinquent into a self-aware and articulate individual. He recognized the power of knowledge to transcend his circumstances and to challenge the societal forces that had shaped his life.

3. State-Raised: Navigating the Brutal Realities of the Juvenile Justice System

Throughout this period, Bunker was consistently thrown into an environment with older criminals.

The School of Hard Knocks. Bunker's early encounters with the juvenile justice system exposed him to a brutal and unforgiving world. He was consistently placed in environments with older, more hardened criminals, accelerating his immersion into a life of crime.

Adopting the Code. In order to survive, Bunker learned to adapt to the values and norms of the prison system. He embraced a code of silence, where snitching was forbidden, and might made right. This code shaped his worldview and influenced his future behavior.

Losing Innocence. The constant exposure to violence, corruption, and despair eroded Bunker's sense of innocence and empathy. He became increasingly desensitized to the suffering of others and hardened to the realities of his own existence.

4. Among the Condemned: Facing Mortality and Finding a Moral Compass

That night after the lights were out, I lay on my upper bunk, listening to the night sounds, creaking bedsprings, wordless whispers, and choked laughter—and I thought about those two dead young Chicanos.

A Glimpse of Death. Witnessing the senseless deaths of two young men in a prison knife fight served as a turning point for Bunker. The experience forced him to confront the fragility of life and the futility of violence.

Questioning the Code. The senselessness of the deaths challenged Bunker's adherence to the criminal code. He began to question the values he had embraced and to search for a more meaningful way to live.

A Spark of Humanity. Despite the brutality of his surroundings, Bunker retained a spark of humanity. He recognized the tragedy of the lost lives and began to develop a sense of empathy for the suffering of others.

5. The Angel of Hollywood: An Unlikely Benefactor's Influence

Louise Fazenda Wallis made efforts to steer Eddie in the direction of probity and worthiness, but her concern came to naught.

An Unlikely Friendship. Louise Wallis, a former silent film comedienne and wife of a renowned film producer, took an interest in Bunker's well-being. She provided him with opportunities for education, employment, and a glimpse into a world beyond crime.

A Beacon of Hope. Wallis's kindness and generosity offered Bunker a glimmer of hope in a life otherwise defined by despair. Her belief in his potential inspired him to strive for something better.

A Fragile Anchor. Despite Wallis's best efforts, Bunker's ingrained habits and the allure of the streets proved too strong to overcome. He ultimately succumbed to the temptations of crime, but her influence remained a powerful force in his life.

6. On the Run: A Cycle of Crime, Capture, and Fleeting Freedom

I woke up in a new world every morning.

The Allure of the Streets. Despite his best intentions, Bunker found himself drawn back to the familiar world of crime. The excitement, the camaraderie, and the promise of easy money proved too difficult to resist.

A Fleeting Taste of Freedom. Each escape from custody offered Bunker a brief respite from the confines of the prison system. However, these moments of freedom were always short-lived, as he inevitably found himself back behind bars.

The Inevitable Cycle. Bunker's life became a cycle of crime, capture, and fleeting freedom. He was trapped in a system that seemed designed to perpetuate his criminal behavior, with little opportunity for genuine rehabilitation.

7. Adjudged Criminally Insane: Feigning Madness and Confronting the System

During the arraignment, he told the judge that the Catholic Church was trying to put a radio in his brain.

A Desperate Gambit. Faced with the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence, Bunker feigned insanity in an attempt to avoid punishment. He successfully convinced psychiatrists that he was suffering from severe mental illness.

A Glimpse into the Abyss. Bunker's time in a mental institution exposed him to the horrors of the psychiatric system. He witnessed firsthand the abuse and neglect of patients, further solidifying his distrust of authority.

The Ruse Revealed. Despite his efforts to maintain the facade of insanity, Bunker was eventually deemed competent to stand trial. His attempt to manipulate the system ultimately failed, leading to further legal consequences.

8. Stuck in Folsom Prison: Finding Purpose Amidst Violence and Despair

Claiming Indian blood today has become somewhat chic.

A Descent into Darkness. Bunker's transfer to Folsom Prison marked a new low in his life. He was surrounded by hardened criminals and subjected to the constant threat of violence.

The Saving Grace of Art. Despite the bleakness of his surroundings, Bunker found solace and purpose in writing. He continued to hone his craft, producing novels and short stories that explored the themes of crime, punishment, and redemption.

A Glimmer of Hope. Bunker's writing began to attract attention from the outside world. His work was published in literary magazines, and he gained recognition as a talented and authentic voice from the criminal underworld.

9. The Prison Race War: Navigating a World of Shifting Alliances and Brutal Realities

Fistfighting is a useless skill in boardrooms and business meetings.

Racial Tensions. The prison system was a microcosm of the racial tensions that plagued American society. Black, white, and Hispanic inmates were often divided along racial lines, leading to violence and conflict.

The Code of the Streets. In order to survive, Bunker had to navigate the complex and often dangerous world of prison politics. He learned to forge alliances, to protect himself from enemies, and to adhere to the unwritten rules of the prison yard.

A Moral Crossroads. The constant exposure to violence and racial hatred forced Bunker to confront his own prejudices and to question the values he had embraced. He began to develop a more nuanced understanding of the world and his place in it.

10. The Land of Milk and Honey: Freedom's Illusions and the Inevitable Return to Crime

There’s no hell . . . and no heaven, either. Life is here. Reward is here. Pain is here. I don’t know very much . . . but that much I know for sure.

The Promise of Parole. Bunker's release from prison offered the tantalizing prospect of a new beginning. He dreamed of leaving his criminal past behind and building a legitimate life for himself.

The Harsh Realities of Freedom. However, Bunker quickly discovered that the outside world was not as welcoming as he had hoped. His criminal record made it difficult to find employment, and he faced constant suspicion and discrimination.

The Cycle Continues. Frustrated and disillusioned, Bunker once again succumbed to the temptations of crime. He found himself trapped in a cycle of recidivism, with each return to prison further diminishing his chances of a successful reintegration into society.

11. The Weight of the Past: Confronting the Consequences of a Life Lived on the Edge

That he emerged from these dungeons not a brute but an artist with a unique and compelling voice is a tribute to his own invincible will, besides being a sweet victory by the artist himself over society and its contempt for the outcast.

The Burden of History. Bunker's past continued to haunt him, shaping his present and limiting his future. He struggled to escape the stigma of his criminal record and to overcome the psychological scars of his experiences.

The Power of Art. Despite the weight of his past, Bunker found redemption in his writing. He used his art to explore the themes of crime, punishment, and the human condition, offering a unique and compelling perspective on the world.

A Legacy of Truth. Bunker's work serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. He emerged from the depths of despair to become a voice for the voiceless, shedding light on the dark corners of society and challenging our understanding of crime and punishment.

Last updated: April 12, 2025