A Summary of the Book
“ Just Mercy” has been based on the story of Walter McMillan. In this case, McMillan has been depicted as a black man who is falsely accused of murdering a white woman. The chapters of the book alternate chronicling his conviction, trial and the road to justice. The book has also recounted other stories entailing individuals who were wrongfully prosecuted (Stevenson, 2015). For instance, Charlie was sentenced to life imprisonment for purportedly killing the abusive boyfriend to his mother. However, the most shocking thing that has been reiterated by the book, in this case, is that the life sentencing of Charlie was fast-tracked even without parole. Analyzing the chronicled incidents, the book implies that justice is the opposite of poverty.
In the first chapter, the book has outlined in the case of McMillan to demonstrate the staggering delivery of legal injustices among the marginalized population. Therefore, through such bases, the book has exposed systemic causes and the resultant institutionalized uneven treatment for marginalized populations when seeking justice. In the second chapter, the book has chronicled instances of racial profiling and police brutality (Stevenson, 2015). This has been demonstrated by Stevenson’s encounter one late night when he was listening to music. In the fourth chapter, the book has highlighted the story of Herbert Duncan, a Vietnam War Veteran. In this regard, his case has been outlined to illuminate the struggles among the veterans in their numerous encounters when seeking mental and medical health support. On the hand, chapter six has expressly depicted the widespread instances of legal injustices, especially among the juveniles. Unlike what could be expected, juveniles, in this case, have been subjected to harsher sentences.
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Tracy, Antonio, and Ian have been introduced in the eight chapter. In this case, Stevenson has further explored the topic on incarceration among children for non-homicidal offenses. By highlighting their plight, the author has exposed how black children are usually incarcerated for the acts that go unpunished among the white children (Stevenson, 2015). This has been highlighted by the case of Antonio Nunez who became the first youngest person in the history of the United States to be sentenced to death for an exaggerated crime. The book has shifted lenses in the tenth chapter by highlighting on the mentally ill and poor prison population. In this regard, the book exposes that the responsible correctional officers in such cases lacked the prerequisite training necessary for handling such mental issues. In the fifteenth chapter, the book has reiterated the necessity to reevaluate the ethics of capital punishment. This has been discussed with regard to the increasing media coverage that is believed to have played a key role in lessening wrongful convictions on the death penalty.
The Significance of the Book
“ Just Mercy” has illuminated on key issues of concern characterizing the U.S. criminal justice system. Through the chronicled encounters, the book has depicted the existing injustices in America’s criminal justice system on the racial background. By highlighting the cases where children of the color are incarcerated for the similar acts that the white children go Scotty-free, the book has depicted the unjust and improper practices characterizing the criminal justice system. In all the highlighted cases, it is clear that the marginalized populations are subjected to rough treatment. This has been reflected in terms of racial profiling, police brutality and incarceration of underage children (Stevenson, 2015). In particular, the author has depicted such instances through the chronicled cases to depict the normal happenings in the U.S society. Notably, the author has managed to put the outlined issues across, thus raising concerns regarding them. It is for this reason that he has reiterated on the reevaluation of the ethics regarding capital punishment to prevent instances where innocent persons may be sentenced for life without parole. However, the efforts initiated by the author have paid off considering that the decision of him highlighting the outlined issues helped increase media coverage on the high rate of wrongful conviction, thus resultantly managing to lessen reliance on the death penalty.
Book Evaluation
“ Just Mercy” is a well-written book touching on crucial issues of common concern. The author has excellently alternated the chapters chronicling issues such as police brutality, racial profiling, political mechanization, uneven treatment and marginalization of the population (Surette, 2014). By utilizing several cases, the book has been well written, giving the account of each highlighted issue for clarity and easy comprehension. Besides, it is an informative text providing greater insights on core issues of common concern.
How the Work Reflect on My Knowledge and Experience
The highlighted issues of political mechanization, racial profiling, uneven treatment, and the marginalization of populations have not happened to me individually. However, I have been reading about their prevalence in various media outlets, thus getting the exact picture of what goes around in the society (Stevenson, 2015). On this basis, the book has enriched my knowledge regarding the severity and extent of the highlighted issues in American society.
How the Book could be used in Criminal Justice
“ Just Mercy” has highlighted crucial aspects bedeviling the criminal justice system such as incarceration of children, uneven treatment, racial profiling, and wrongful life sentence conviction. In this essence, the book can be used as the benchmark for correcting inappropriate aspects characterizing the criminal justice. Considering that the author has reiterated cases of wrongful conviction and life sentencing without parole, the book can further be used as the basis for reevaluating the ethics of capital punishment in criminal justice.
References
Stevenson, B. (2015). Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption . Spiegel &Grau.
Surette, R. (2014). Media, crime, and criminal justice . Nelson Education.
