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Summary

Beck, Elizabeth and Britto, Sarah and Andrews, Arlene (2007). In the Shadow of Death: Restorative Justice and Death Row Families. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.

This is not a typical book about the death penalty debate that focuses specifically on the pros and cons of capital punishment. Rather, our purpose is to highlight the experiences of capital offenders’ family members. And while the many issues offenders’ family members face will certainly add crucial elements to any debate about the death penalty, this is not the raison d’être of this book. Offender’s family members are important in their own right and their stories and experiences provide insight into the complicated nature of the human condition. Though most readers will hopefully never have to experience the tragedy of either losing a loved one to murder or losing a loved one through capital punishment, many of us can relate as professionals working with or within the criminal justice or mental health system, parents, siblings, and community members to the many perspectives on guilt, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness that are explored herein. (excerpt)

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