From the author of the classic Race to Incarcerate, a forceful
and necessary argument for eliminating life sentences, including
profiles of six people directly impacted by life sentences by formerly
incarcerated author Kerry Myers
Most Western democracies have few or no people serving life sentences,
yet here in the United States more than 200,000 people are sentenced to
such prison terms. Marc Mauer and Ashley Nellis of The Sentencing
Project argue that there is no practical or moral justification for a
sentence longer than 20 years. Harsher sentences have been shown to have
little effect on crime rates, since people "age out" of crime - meaning
that we're spending a fortune on geriatric care for older prisoners who
pose little threat to public safety. Extreme punishment for serious
crime also has an inflationary effect on sentences across the spectrum,
helping to account for severe mandatory minimums and other harsh
punishments.
A thoughtful and stirring call to action, The Meaning of Life also
features moving profiles of a half dozen people affected by life
sentences, written by former "lifer" and award-winning writer Kerry
Myers. The book will tie in to a campaign spearheaded by The Sentencing
Project and offers a much-needed road map to a more humane criminal
justice system.
