“I can think of no authors more qualified to research the complex impact of life sentences than Marc Mauer and Ashley Nellis. They have the expertise to track down the information that all citizens need to know and the skills to translate that research into accessible and powerful prose.”
—Heather Ann Thompson, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Blood in the Water
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 twenty 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.
**

motw/The Meaning of Life_ The Case f - Marc Mauer.epub

motw/The Meaning of Life_ The Case f - Marc Mauer.pdf

Mauer, Marc; Nellis, Ashley; Myers, Kerry

New Press, The

United States, United States of America

New York, 2018

Dec 11, 2018

2019

producers:
Adobe PDF Library 15.0

Memory of the World Librarian: outernationale

Source title: The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences

Marc Mauer And Ashley Nellis Of The Sentencing Project Argue That There Is No Practical Or Moral Justification For A Sentence Longer Than Twenty 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. Also Features Profiles Of A Half Dozen People Affected By Life Sentences, Written By Former Lifer And Writer Kerry Myers.-- Introduction: Lessons Of The Birdman -- Life By The Numbers -- Denise Dodson -- Policies That Drive Life Sentences -- Anita Colon And Robert Holbrook -- Doing Life -- Death Is Different -- Sam Lewis -- The American Commitment To Punishment -- The Meaning Of Life Around The World -- William Underwood -- The Racial Meaning Of Life -- The Meaning Of Life For Criminal Justice Reform -- Kelly Garrett And Justin Singleton -- The Meaning Of Life For Public Safety -- Enacting A Twenty-year Maximum Sentence -- Willis X. Harris -- The Future Of Life In America -- Author's Note -- Acknowledgments -- Notes. Marc Mauer And Ashley Nellis ; Featuring Six Portraits Of Lifers By Kerry Myers. Includes Bibliographical References.

"Marc Mauer and Ashley Nellis of The Sentencing Project argue that there is no practical or moral justification for a sentence longer than twenty 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. Also features profiles of a half dozen people affected by life sentences, written by former 'lifer' and writer Kerry Myers"-- Publisher's website

Introduction Lessons of “The Birdman” 16
Life by the Numbers 22
Denise Dodson 34
Policies That Drive Life Sentences 40
Anita Colon and Robert Holbrook 52
Doing Life 58
“Death Is Different” 70
Sam Lewis 82
The American Commitment to Punishment 88
The Meaning of Life Around the World 100
William Underwood 110
The Racial Meaning of Life 116
The Meaning of Life for Criminal Justice Reform 126
Kelly Garrett and Justin Singleton 138
The Meaning of Life for Public Safety 144
Enacting a Twenty- Year Maximum Sentence 160
Willis X. Harris 184
The Future of Life in America 190
Author’s Note 196
Acknowledgments 204
Notes 206

2025-10-27