What is Wiltwyck?

Wiltwyck is a reform school for boys in upstate New York attended by Sonny, the narrator. Since the age of six, Sonny has been involved in all kinds of trouble—petty theft, gang violence, and alcohol drinking, to name but three. His concerned parents think their son needs a change of scenery well away from the mean streets of Harlem, so they send him to live with his grandmother in South Carolina.
Unfortunately, the life of the street appears to have entered Sonny's soul to such an extent that he carries on with his criminal ways. This leads him to be sent to Wiltwyck, a facility specially designed to deal with boys like Sonny, boys both materially and emotionally deprived. The school's administrator is a man by the name of Mr. Papanek. He is a kindly, intelligent man who patiently tries to set Sonny on the right path in life, teaching him the value of education. Sonny, though deeply respectful of Papanek, continues getting into trouble, ending up in and out of Wiltwyck on a number of occasions.
Nevertheless, the example of Mr. Papanek is one that remains an inspiration to Sonny. One day he will eventually leave behind his previous troubles and embark upon a new path in life, one that will lead to a college education.