The Whistler

The author cites examples of people who were in prison for decades—some on death row—whom DNA evidence exonerated long after conviction. Some of these exonerations come long after the prisoner’s executions. Given this fact, does the death penalty have a legitimate place in a flawed legal system? Why or why not?

What reforms to our legal system might reduce the incidence of false convictions? (For more information, see the Further Reading section of this study guide.)

Many people consider the purpose of incarceration to make criminals uncomfortable. However, in Chapter 5, the author observes that the practice of solitary confinement can cause severe psychological damage—essentially causing mental illness. To what degree is the prison system responsible for punishing versus rehabilitating prisoners? To what extent is it responsible for keeping prisoners sane?