{"product_id":"9781137381330","title":"The Death of Punishment: Searching for Justice among the Worst of the Worst","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor twelve years Robert Blecker, a criminal law professor, wandered freely inside Lorton Central Prison, armed only with cigarettes and a tape recorder. \u003ci\u003eThe Death of Punishment\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"St. Martin's Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47118616133872,"sku":"9781137381330","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781137381330_p0.jpg?v=1769890965","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781137381330","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}