Convicted Or Condemned

Winner, W. E. B. DuBois Distinguished Book Award presented by the National Conference of Black Political Scientists Examines the lifelong consequences of a felony conviction through the compelling words of former prisoners Felony convictions restrict social interactions and hinder felons’ efforts to reintegrate into society. The educational and vocational training offered in many prisons are typically not recognized by accredited educational institutions as acceptable course work or by employers as valid work experience, making it difficult for recently-released prisoners to find jobs. Families often will not or cannot allow their formerly incarcerated relatives to live with them. In many states, those with felony convictions cannot receive financial aid for further education, vote in elections, receive welfare benefits, or live in public housing. In short, they are not treated as full citizens, and every year, hundreds of thousands of people released from prison are forced to live on the margins of society. Convicted and Condemned explores the issue of prisoner reentry from the felons’ perspective. It features the voices of formerly incarcerated felons as they attempt to reconnect with family, learn how to acclimate to society, try to secure housing, find a job, and complete a host of other important goals. By examining national housing, education and employment policies implemented at the state and local levels, Keesha Middlemass shows how the law challenges and undermines prisoner reentry and creates second-class citizens. Even if the criminal justice system never convicted another person of a felony, millions of women and men would still have to figure out how to reenter society, essentially on their own. A sobering account of the after-effects of mass incarceration, Convicted and Condemned is a powerful exploration of how individuals, and society as a whole, suffer when a felony conviction exacts a punishment that never ends.

I stepped back, turned around and started walking away. From behind me, I heard a shout: "He's stabbed me! He's stabbed me!" I had stabbed him. In one fluid moment, and almost without truly thinking about it, I had drawn my knife and plunged it into his body. In an instant, Dez Brown's life had inalterably changed direction. As he unintentionally ended the life of a stranger in a busy London park, Dez dived headlong into a downward spiral that would almost certainly lead to prison and a life in ruins. But another direction lay ahead. Dez came up against a force more powerful than he could ever imagine - one that would ask him to give up life as he knew it. As the justice system called him to account for his actions, could he trust the voice that seemed to be calling when all else around seemed dark? A gritty true story, written from the heart, Convicted or Condemned? is the sometimes dark but ultimately inspiring story of one man's journey to redemption.

There are consequences for all the choices we make. The one thing we must realize, is that the choices we make not only effect us, but also those that love us dearly. Some wrong choices have caused many to lose their lives and caused many families to fall apart. The truth is, we have all made some bad decisions and had to suffer the consequences.We have to be very careful about trying to condemn others and start praying for them, as well as ourselves. Before I came into an intimate relationship with God, I believed I wasn't clean or good enough to be used for His kingdom building. I would often find myself telling God that when I stopped doing the things that weren't pleasing to Him, then I would come to Him. When I started to study His word and spend time with Him for myself, I realized He is the cleaning solution and a God of so many chances. He's a forgiving and merciful God. When you find yourself in the wilderness, when the world has written you off, when you are tired of doing things the same old way, and getting the same old results, God is there. He's knocking at your door, waiting for you to let Him in. No matter what your condition is, there is nothing too hard for God to handle. Whether you're locked up physically or mentally, never give up. What looks like the end to you, could be the very beginning of something awesome with God. Although you were convicted of the crime, true repentance can bring about a change.Each day you open your eyes is another opportunity to get right with God. As you read this book, I pray that if you are found guilty of doing things contrary to the word of God, this day you will make the right choice!

Winner, W. E. B. DuBois Distinguished Book Award presented by the National Conference of Black Political Scientists Examines the lifelong consequences of a felony conviction through the compelling words of former prisoners Felony convictions restrict social interactions and hinder felons’ efforts to reintegrate into society. The educational and vocational training offered in many prisons are typically not recognized by accredited educational institutions as acceptable course work or by employers as valid work experience, making it difficult for recently-released prisoners to find jobs. Families often will not or cannot allow their formerly incarcerated relatives to live with them. In many states, those with felony convictions cannot receive financial aid for further education, vote in elections, receive welfare benefits, or live in public housing. In short, they are not treated as full citizens, and every year, hundreds of thousands of people released from prison are forced to live on the margins of society. Convicted and Condemned explores the issue of prisoner reentry from the felons’ perspective. It features the voices of formerly incarcerated felons as they attempt to reconnect with family, learn how to acclimate to society, try to secure housing, find a job, and complete a host of other important goals. By examining national housing, education and employment policies implemented at the state and local levels, Keesha Middlemass shows how the law challenges and undermines prisoner reentry and creates second-class citizens. Even if the criminal justice system never convicted another person of a felony, millions of women and men would still have to figure out how to reenter society, essentially on their own. A sobering account of the after-effects of mass incarceration, Convicted and Condemned is a powerful exploration of how individuals, and society as a whole, suffer when a felony conviction exacts a punishment that never ends.

The Last Day of a Condemned Man (1829) is a short novel by Victor Hugo. Having witnessed several executions by guillotine as a young man, Hugo devoted himself in his art and political life to opposing the death penalty in France. Praised by Dostoevsky as “absolutely the most real and truthful of everything that Hugo wrote,” The Last Day of a Condemned Man is a powerful story from an author who defined nineteenth century French literature. If you knew when and where you would die, how would you spend your final moments? For Hugo’s unnamed narrator, such an existential question is made reality. Sentenced to death for an unspecified crime, he reflects on his life as its last seconds wane in the shadows of a cramped prison cell. Recording his emotional state, observations, and conversations with a priest and fellow prisoner, the condemned man forces us to not only recognize his humanity, but question our own. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Victor Hugo’s The Last Day of a Condemned Man is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.