The death of punishment : searching for justice among the worst of the worst

cover image

Where to find it

Davis Library (6th floor)

Call Number
K5101 .B54 2013
Status
Available

Law Library — 3rd Floor Collection (3rd floor)

Call Number
K5101 .B54 2013
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

For twelve years Robert Blecker, a criminal law professor, wandered freely inside Lorton Central Prison, armed only with cigarettes and a tape recorder. The Death of Punishment tests legal philosophy against the reality and wisdom of street criminals and their guards. Some killers' poignant circumstances should lead us to mercy; others show clearly why they should die. After thousands of hours over twenty-five years inside maximum security prisons and on death rows in seven states, the history and philosophy professor exposes the perversity of justice: Inside prison, ironically, it's nobody's job to punish. Thus the worst criminals often live the best lives.

The Death of Punishment challenges the reader to refine deeply held beliefs on life and death as punishment that flare up with every news story of a heinous crime. It argues that society must redesign life and death in prison to make the punishment more nearly fit the crime. It closes with the final irony: If we make prison the punishment it should be, we may well abolish the very death penalty justice now requires.

Contents

Part 1. Man the measure. Killing the wrong people ; Playing the game ; Two sides to every question? ; Richer than the rules of law -- Part 2. Voices from the inside. One raggedy lawyer ; Between right and wrong ; The living legend ; Under the influence ; Plate sin with gold ; Their crime/Our punishment -- Part 3. Witness at an execution. Behind the glass ; One step removed ; Curtain time ; The privileged and the damned -- Part 4. For whom the candles burned. Flip a switch ; But God spared Cain ; The man needs to die ; The nicest thing ; A one-man chair ; Dead right ; Whose voice? ; Why aren't you dead? ; Turning grey ; Six feet over ; Death watch ; Killing them softly ; Bearing witness ; The 13th juror -- Part 5. Fighting for the finish. No word for it ; The Hershey bar ; In a perfect kingdom ; Everywhere elsewhere -- Part 6. Forgiveness and redemption. I can look you in the eyes ; Nonsense on stilts -- The chance to someday -- A tramp abroad: Heaidelberg ; Right body, wrong person ; The ugly mirror.

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