The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences

March 03, 2020 • 12:30 PM • Law School 3043

Dr. Ashley Nellis, Senior Research Analyst at the Sentencing Project, will discuss her new book, The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences, co-authored with Marc Mauer, Executive Director of the Sentencing Project. They describe their data concerning the growth of the "lifer" population in the U.S., and why we should question this trend as a matter of law and policy. The "lifer" population has continued to grow amidst historically low crime rates and reductions in the overall prison population. Many other countries that experienced a similar crime drop did not rely on harsher punishments during this period. This event is sponsored by the Criminal Law Society and the Center for Science and Justice at Duke. Lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Marlyn Dail at marlyn.dail@law.duke.edu.