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The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences
December 12, 2018 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
FreeMost 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. In The Meaning of Life (cowritten by Marc Mauer) (New Press), Ashley Nellis of The Sentencing Project argues 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. Nellis will be joined in conversation by Andy Ko, Executive Director at the Partnership for Safety and Justice. This event is sponsored by the Partnership for Safety and Justice.
[from Powell’s website]