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Quote by Bryan Stevenson

“My relatives worked hard all the time but never seemed to prosper. My grandfather was murdered when I was a teenager, but it didn't seem to matter much to the world outside our family.”

Quote by Bryan Stevenson

Book:Just Mercy
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Just Mercy

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Author

Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson

Bryan Stevenson is an American lawyer, educator, and social activist known for his contributions to criminal justice reform and the defense of the rights of the poor. Born on November 14, 1959, Stevenson is a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Law. more

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“When I first went to death row in December 1983, America was in the early stages of a radical transformation that would turn us into an unprecedentedly harsh and punitive nation and result in mass imprisonment that has no historical parallel. Today we have the highest rate of incarceration in the world. The prison population has increased from 300,000 people in the early 1970s to 2.3 million people today. There are nearly six million people on probation or on parole. One in every fifteen people born in the United States in 2001 is expected to go to jail or prison; one in every three black male babies born in this century is expected to be incarcerated.”

AmericaCapital PunishmentIncarcerationDeath RowPrisonsPunitive Measures
Book:Just Mercy
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“Raymond Hamilton,' the Judge decreed, 'you are here now to be sentenced, friendless and without money. Have you anything to say as to why sentence should not be passed?' 'Yes, I have,' answered Raymond. 'People,' he began, 'I hope I have a few friends among you I want you to know I never killed anyone. . . . Crowson was going to be killed no matter what I did. . . . and I want to tell you that whenever Simmons and the others get after you together, you don't get fairness. . . . They're afraid they can't hold me, that I'll breakout and call more attention to them, so they get me 'the chair'. . . . I don't know if there's anything like 'haunts' but if there are, I sure do want to come back and kick this whole bunch out of bed every night.' [...] As the once-dapper bandit was being led past the crowd, several young women pressed against the railing, some trying to touch the gunman. Looking over his shoulder, Hamilton raised his manacled hands to wave farewell, a smile on his face.”

Death PenaltyGood PersonDeath RowAmerican JusticeSentencingAmerican Prison
Book:Running With Bonnie and Clyde: The Ten Fast Years of Ralph Fults
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“Kathleen: “Send them all my love and best wishes for happiness.” Jimmy Dennis: “I’m gonna do that, and you’re gonna keep getting better, alright? I can’t tell you how good it is to hear your voice again”. Kathleen: (trying hard not to cry) “Jimmy, you take care.” Jimmy: “You too, Kitty. Hey Andrew, you’re writing a book about someone who changed the legal game. She set precedents that are in place today going forward, but what’s most rare about Kitty Behan is she sees another person as a person. Most people see others in terms of what they can do for you. Kitty saved my life by seeing me as I am, and you quote me on that.”

Death RowDeath Row InmateJimmy DennisKathleen Behan
Author:Andrew Mallin
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