Margaret Leigey – författare

This book is an in-depth critical examination of all pertinent aspects of life without parole (LWOP). Empirically assessing key arguments that advance LWOP, including as an alternative to the death penalty, it reveals that not only is the punishment cruel while not providing any societal benefits, it is actually detrimental to society.

Over the last 30 years, LWOP has exploded in the United States. While the use of capital punishment over that same time period has declined, it must be recognized that LWOP is, in fact, a hidden death sentence. It is, however, implemented in a way that allows society to largely ignore this truth. While capital punishment has rightfully been subject to intense debate and scholarship, LWOP has mostly escaped such scrutiny. In fact, LWOP has been touted by both death penalty abolitionists and by tough-on-crime conservatives, which has allowed it to flourish under the radar. Specifically, abolitionists have advanced LWOP as a palatable alternative to capital punishment, which they perceive as inhumane, error-prone, costly, and racially biased. Conservatives, meanwhile, advocate for LWOP as an effective means of fighting crime, a just form of retribution, and necessary tool for managing incorrigible offenders. This book seeks to tap into and help inform this growing debate by subjecting these key arguments to empirical scrutiny. The results of those analyses fail to produce any evidence in support of any of those various justifications and therefore suggest that LWOP should be abolished and replaced with life sentences that come with parole eligibility after a maximum of 25 years.

The book will be of great interest to students and scholars of criminology and criminal justice and will also have crossover appeal into the fields of law, political science, and sociology. It will also appeal to criminal justice professionals, lawmakers, activists, and attorneys, as well as death penalty abolitionists, opponents of mass incarceration, advocates for sentencing reform, and supporters of prisoners’ rights.

This book is an in-depth critical examination of all pertinent aspects of life without parole (LWOP). Empirically assessing key arguments that advance LWOP, including as an alternative to the death penalty, it reveals that not only is the punishment cruel while not providing any societal benefits, it is actually detrimental to society.

Over the last 30 years, LWOP has exploded in the United States. While the use of capital punishment over that same time period has declined, it must be recognized that LWOP is, in fact, a hidden death sentence. It is, however, implemented in a way that allows society to largely ignore this truth. While capital punishment has rightfully been subject to intense debate and scholarship, LWOP has mostly escaped such scrutiny. In fact, LWOP has been touted by both death penalty abolitionists and by tough-on-crime conservatives, which has allowed it to flourish under the radar. Specifically, abolitionists have advanced LWOP as a palatable alternative to capital punishment, which they perceive as inhumane, error-prone, costly, and racially biased. Conservatives, meanwhile, advocate for LWOP as an effective means of fighting crime, a just form of retribution, and necessary tool for managing incorrigible offenders. This book seeks to tap into and help inform this growing debate by subjecting these key arguments to empirical scrutiny. The results of those analyses fail to produce any evidence in support of any of those various justifications and therefore suggest that LWOP should be abolished and replaced with life sentences that come with parole eligibility after a maximum of 25 years.

The book will be of great interest to students and scholars of criminology and criminal justice and will also have crossover appeal into the fields of law, political science, and sociology. It will also appeal to criminal justice professionals, lawmakers, activists, and attorneys, as well as death penalty abolitionists, opponents of mass incarceration, advocates for sentencing reform, and supporters of prisoners’ rights.

This reader presents a comprehensive review of the research on mass incarceration as it relates to causes, impact, and solutions. Assembling contributions from leading experts in a variety of disciplines as well as the voices of directly impacted people, the editors have created a diverse collection of chapters addressing prison, punishment, incarceration, reentry, and reintegration embedded in the context of the ever-evolving discussion around ending mass incarceration.

The effects of the exponential prison growth in the United States over more than 50 years have been catastrophic, resulting in disparities that especially plague the poor, communities of color, and women. Mass incarceration is a culmination of policies and practices that benefit the privileged praxis and consequently disproportionally disenfranchise marginalized communities. The ideology affects every stage of the criminal justice system, from policing to release, and this book meets the need to expand the examination beyond departments of corrections to explore the administration behind laws, biased practices, and an unforgiving societal stigma. It deepens comprehension and engagement with concise and accessible readings that offer nuance and provoke thought.

The book is ideal as a primary or supplementary textbook for corrections, prisons, or penology courses, as well as courses focused on law, policy, sociology, social work, and social justice. It also will serve as a valuable reference book for any individual searching for knowledge on the past, present, and future of mass incarceration.

This reader presents a comprehensive review of the research on mass incarceration as it relates to causes, impact, and solutions. Assembling contributions from leading experts in a variety of disciplines as well as the voices of directly impacted people, the editors have created a diverse collection of chapters addressing prison, punishment, incarceration, reentry, and reintegration embedded in the context of the ever-evolving discussion around ending mass incarceration.

The effects of the exponential prison growth in the United States over more than 50 years have been catastrophic, resulting in disparities that especially plague the poor, communities of color, and women. Mass incarceration is a culmination of policies and practices that benefit the privileged praxis and consequently disproportionally disenfranchise marginalized communities. The ideology affects every stage of the criminal justice system, from policing to release, and this book meets the need to expand the examination beyond departments of corrections to explore the administration behind laws, biased practices, and an unforgiving societal stigma. It deepens comprehension and engagement with concise and accessible readings that offer nuance and provoke thought.

The book is ideal as a primary or supplementary textbook for corrections, prisons, or penology courses, as well as courses focused on law, policy, sociology, social work, and social justice. It also will serve as a valuable reference book for any individual searching for knowledge on the past, present, and future of mass incarceration.