The Meaning of Life

The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Crimes & Criminals, Penology, Reference & Language, Law, Criminal law, Criminology
Cover of the book The Meaning of Life by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers, The New Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers ISBN: 9781620974100
Publisher: The New Press Publication: December 11, 2018
Imprint: The New Press Language: English
Author: Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
ISBN: 9781620974100
Publisher: The New Press
Publication: December 11, 2018
Imprint: The New Press
Language: English

**“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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

**“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.

More books from The New Press

Cover of the book Touch and Go by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book The Know-It-Alls by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Landscapes of Communism by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Economics for the Rest of Us by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Brown Is the New White by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book A Meal in Winter by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book State of Resistance by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Let's Get Free by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Here Come the Dogs by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book The War on Leakers by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book The New Threat by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book The Drone Memos by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book The Moral Underground by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Wrong Turn by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
Cover of the book Madam Ambassador by Marc Mauer, Ashley Nellis, Kerry Myers
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy