I believe this was recommended by Lexi (newlynova) on YouTube. Upon completing The Count of Monte Cristo and Boy Swallows Universe, I had a growing interest in prison systems. I believe Lexi listed Notes on an Execution (which I am still reading) as one of her best books of the year, and it was my first book to involve the American prison system (as opposed to the Australian or French). If Boy Swallows Universe is what put the idea of a prison pen pal in my head, Just Mercy is what breathed life into the idea. 

While I have yet to write to an inmate (as a safety precaution I'm looking into using a different address), Just Mercy has certainly opened my eyes to the injustices of the "justice" system. As a fan of Death Note and someone who was sympathetic to Light, Just Mercy was a sobering reminder that the world is not black and white. 

I am fairly informed and open minded. Of course I had an idea of the subjects that would be touched upon, but I did not understand until it was spelled out to me the utter depths to the horrors experienced by prisoners both innocent and guilty, sentenced to death or to life. If I was not a passionate opponent to the death penalty before, I definitely am now. 

This novel should be required reading in US history classes. It is absolutely abhorrent how often and how recent violations of human rights occur in prisons. No one is deserving of this treatment. Incarceration as a for profit system is sick and broken, and we feel the effects at every level of society. This will be something I must revisit once I have sufficient funds. As of right now (soon, unfortunately not currently) I will stick to writing letters and offering moral support.

I do not know much about prison systems in other countries around the world, but I would not be surprised if America's is one of the most broken. Court trials should not be pay to win. Justice is a joke as long as this continues.