This was a long read for the best reason. I kept leaving the book to go look up people, or incidents that came up. You 100% do not need to do that to enjoy and understand this book, I’m just weird. This was a really fascinating look at a subject most of us don’t really want to think about.

The writing on this was so well done that it could be read and discussed with people on both sides of the death penalty debate without starting brawls. I knew what my opinion was going in, and the book worked for me.

I loved this one and I recommend it to everyone. It’s a subject that needs to be talked about.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are all mine.

"The best way to expose the inhumanity of the death penalty (is) to expose people to the humanity of the men condemned to it."

Hale expertly accomplishes this by goal by writing, "Death Row Welcomes You", an enlightening look into the lives of those on death row. and the toll it takes on those serving their sentences, as well as their supporters and their victims. Hale's first-hand accounts of his visits to death row are truly fascinating as the reader is able to gain an understanding of the inner working of the prison and the lives of the prisoners. This book is a call to action for a more humane prison system that focuses on education and rehabilitation, rather than more punishment. After all, a true mark of our humanity is how humanely we treat others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Melville House Publishing for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a pretty fascinating look into the people on death row and how executions are handled. It also is interesting to read about those who visit the death row inmates who aren't family but become close friends with these men.
When I was in college, I took a 2 week prison tour and was able to see where lethal injections were performed and I even got it sit in the electric chair. Such a haunting experience!

This was a good look inside Death Row by the author. It not only shares details about the prisoners on the row, but tells about the people who come to visit the prisoners too. It's a lot more than just family members who come there, and for reasons that will make you think. What Hale found inside surprised and changed him.

A wonderfully written book that will make you really ask yourself how you truly feel about the death penalty. The author shows us the entire picture - who the condemned person was, his background/childhood, the alleged crime that took place (some admit to their crime and others held fast to their innocence), the victims, their families (both in and out of the prison) and those that came to visit and come to know them. Some of these crimes are so horrific but after reading their stories the author had convinced me that these men had truly changed. I am not a proponent of the death penalty but some of these cases took 30+ years before the executions took place and I do feel for the families. It is truly a profound book - read it!