Out of the four editorials I read, the one that I liked the most was "Sentenced to a Slow Death".  This piece revealed to me information that I was not aware of.  It used numbers and figures to astonish the reader (me) and it made the reader empathetic.  

"Sentenced to a Slow Death" is an editorial piece from The New York Times about the high number of people who are sentenced to prison for life in the United States for non-violent crimes.  These non-violent crimes include selling marijuana, using party drugs, stealing gas from a truck.  A report shows that since 2012 there are approximately 3,300 people serving sentences of life without parole for such crimes.  And apparently the numbers are even higher since these numbers shown do not include other non-violent crimes that are legally classified as "violent" such as trying to steal an unoccupied car.  The editorial states that many laws in the United States are too strict for the crime and therefore are placing too many people in jail for too long.  The same report mentions that the cost for imprisoning just the 3,300 people for life is $1.78 billion!  It also states that the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world!  

One part I liked a lot from the editorial was a quote that the warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Even Burl Cain, said: "Everybody forgets what correction means.  It means to correct deviant behavior.  If this person can go back and be a productive citizen and not commit crimes again, why spend the money to keep him in prison? I need to keep predators in these big old prisons, not dying old men."  

"Sentenced to a Slow Death" has an eye catching title that makes the reader want to know what it is about.  It is also well written and uses easy to interpret vocabulary that makes it accessible for all.  The writer is well informed on the subject, and demonstrates that he/she is passionate about the topic an


 



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