5 stars After reading a description of this book, I requested an ARC from the author. Although this book did not actually change my mind about anything, I found it compelling and thought-provoking. It was a bit slow-moving at first, but soon enough, it became difficult for me to put down. The writing is such that the compassion of the author is readily apparent. It gave me hope that there are others who think like him. Like many others, I am well familiar with the fact that the US incarcerates more people per capita than any other country. Likewise, I already knew that the ranks of the incarcerated are primarily comprised of people of color. And I know there are societal issues that contribute to the unfair application of law in this country. It’s hard to deny that poverty and disadvantage result in more poverty and disadvantage. My hope is that this book might change the minds of just a few people who are unfamiliar with these statistics—maybe those in positions able to facilitate change. I have always been against the death penalty (and not only because it costs us so much money), but had never given much thought to life sentences. I had not realized how freely they are given to those who have not committed the kinds of crimes we might argue deserve such a penalty—murder or rape, for example. It has long been clear to me that punishment for crimes has devolved into an instrument of revenge more than one of redemption, and that has always bothered me. Surely, any argument that the US justice system is designed to promote behavioral change is easily refutable. Unfortunately, people are driven more by their need for revenge than a desire to create a better society. It’s always nice to hear from someone who shares my vision for a world in which all people are treated equally and fairly and consequences for poor choices are reasonable and designed to improve behavior. Though the author does not directly address the issue, it is undeniable that change is impossible so long as prisons are an opportunity for businesses to make money. I wish it weren’t so, but I’m hopeful that books like this might help change some minds. August 9, 2021
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Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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