Step-by-step explanation:
After reading Bryan Stevenson's book "Just Mercy," my views on the death penalty have been further strengthened. Stevenson's work highlights the systemic injustices and failures of the criminal justice system, which is especially concerning when it comes to capital punishment.
One of the most powerful examples in the book is the story of Walter McMillian, who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in Alabama. Stevenson's account of McMillian's case demonstrates how easily the death penalty can be misused and how difficult it is to rectify a wrongful conviction once it has been made.
Stevenson also discusses how race and socioeconomic status often play a role in who is sentenced to death. He highlights the fact that the death penalty is disproportionately used against people of color and those who cannot afford adequate legal representation, revealing how the system is inherently biased.
Furthermore, Stevenson argues that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent to crime, and that the resources and money spent on capital punishment could be better used to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
Overall, after reading "Just Mercy," I am even more convinced that the death penalty is an unacceptable form of punishment. The flaws and injustices of the criminal justice system are too great to risk the possibility of executing an innocent person. Instead, we should focus on developing more restorative justice practices that prioritize rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.