Below are nonfiction books in our collection that relate to the criminal justice system. If you need help finding these books in the Learning Commons, please see Ms. Reishus, Mrs. Melbourne, or Mrs. McCullough at the circulation desk. You can also choose books that aren't on this list, but be sure to run it by Mr. Haskins.
To check books out in MackinVIA, log in with your regular school credentials:
Use your Virtual Student Library Card to check books out from Libby:
Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults) by
Lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares his efforts to end racial and economic injustice through his organization Equal Justice Initiative. With personal stories from his work, he sheds light on a broken justice system he's working to change.
No Choirboy by
Teens sentenced to death talk about their prison experience and their crimes. Author Susan Kuklin also examines capital punishment and the inequities of the criminal justice system.
The Devil on Trial by
Examines five cases throughout history as examples of situations where people have compromised their principles in the name of safety, and covers the Salem witch trials, the Haymarket Affair trial, the Scopes "Monkey" trial, and others.
Anatomy of Innocence by
Follows the arrests, confessions, trials, and convictions of fifteen innocent people who were nonetheless convicted and sent to prison before they were exonerated. They tell their stories to a group of high-profile mystery and thriller writers who describe what went wrong and offer data about crime and prison issues in order to make readers aware of these problems.
Teen Incarceration by
Examines the history of teen incarceration in the U.S., life behind bars, alternatives to incarceration, and those working to reform the juvenile justice system.
Real Justice: Sentenced to Life at Seventeen by
Details the story of David Milgaard, who was sentenced to life in prison at age seventeen for a murder he did not commit. Discusses how Milgaard's innocence was proven twenty-three years later and how the identity of the real killer was eventually discovered.
My Story Starts Here by
Collects personal accounts from teenagers representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, describing the factors that shaped their lives and how they found themselves in legal trouble and the steps they are currently taking to rehabilitate.
They Broke the Law - You Be the Judge by
Letters from and interviews with twenty-one children and teenagers who broke the law reveal what it is like to be arrested, attend legal proceedings, and be held accountable for one's actions.
Writing My Wrongs by
Memoir of Shaka Senghor, who at the age of nineteen was sent to prison for second-degree murder and drug dealing. After spending nineteen years in prison, seven of which were in solitary, Senghor got out changed, having discovered literature, meditation, and the kindness of others in prison, and today has become a mentor, activist, and lecturer at universities and at TED talks around America.
Missoula by
Examines a series of sexual assaults that took place in Missoula, Montana between 2010 and 2012, with focus on the experiences of the victims, the lack of an appropriate response by law enforcement, and the backlash the victims faced from some members of the university community and the city.
Careers in the Juvenile Justice System by
This book describes the different job opportunities and requirements in the juvenile justice system, designed to offer opportunities for intervention rather than just punishment for young offenders.
Burning down the House by
Examines the brutal treatment of youth in juvenile prisons and presents the argument that the current structure of juvenile prisons denies children the key to factor to a successful rehabilitation - positive, caring relationships with adults.
The 57 Bus by
Explores the true stories of Sasha and Richard, two teens from Oakland, California, who never would have met if not for the 57 Bus which they both were taking home one day. Richard, an African American boy, had a lighter; Sasha, a white boy, wore a skirt. A dare to use the lighter changes both boy's lives forever.
The New Jim Crow by
Argues that the War on Drugs and policies that deny convicted felons equal access to employment, housing, education, and public benefits create a permanent under caste based largely on race.
Last Chance in Texas by
Examines Giddings State School in central Texas, a successful treatment program for violent young offenders. Follows a boy and a girl who attend therapy sessions at the school along with their inmates, sharing their stories of childhood abuse that led to criminal behavior.
Making It Right by
Making It Right' relates true stories of young people who are working in innovative ways to further peaceful resolution of conflict and to heal past wounds
Orange Is the New Black by
Shares the story of Piper Kerman while fulfilling her sentence in the federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut.
