In this new Book Forum episode, we’re joined by Golnar Nikpour to discuss her illuminating book The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran. Nikpour traces the transformation of Iran from a decentralized empire with few prisoners into a modern nation-state with one of the largest prison populations in the world. She explores how Iran's carceral system has not only policed citizens but also reshaped concepts of citizenship, freedom, and political belonging. By examining the writings, art, and activism that emerged from prison walls, Nikpour reveals how carceral confinement has profoundly influenced Iran’s political movements and public cultures.