Last read: Annika Östberg's account of her 28 years in an American prison and her journey to and from there. Initially, we meet a 13-year-old who is unhappy in her new home country, runs away from home, meets the wrong boys and gets hooked on drugs. Annika is sentenced to "25 years to life" for accessory to murder.
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ShareAn unsentimental and straightforward story
"The 'lifers' become each other's family for decades, in a world that is increasingly controlled and oppressive. This is an unsentimental and straightforward story, written by someone who has reflected and evolved.
The book gives an interesting insight into the prison world, but also into an American way of thinking about crime, punishment, victims and perpetrators. A way of thinking that I find difficult to understand no matter how hard I try ...
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Krister in Beijing says:
I thank you for the tip. I just ordered it as an audio book.
Since I drive 20 kilometres a day to and from work, I "eat" audio books.
Regards
22 May 2012 - 11:00
Annika says:
I want to read THAT.
I will never forget Annika Österberg's summer programme. I was SO taken by it.
Yes, what a situation she ended up in, and I also have a lot to say about the American justice system. It can be absolutely terrifying most of the time.
22 May 2012 - 12:59
Catherine in Asia says:
I actually have this book on my reading list! I have actually listened to her summer programme,, straight and different!
22 May 2012 - 13:30
Lena & Jan says:
I will read THAT for the winter, thanks for the tip!
22 May 2012 - 19:25
marina says:
Says like others here: Thanks for the tip - I will definitely read it!
23 May 2012 - 17:20
Anonymous says:
Now I find it a bit difficult to excuse serious offences by saying that people "end up in situations". Every single person has a choice. Very few are forced to commit crimes.
The American legal mindset, I imagine, is very much about the idea of avenging a crime. That means that the victim of the crime or their relatives have a decisive influence on the punishment. It's a bit strange for us.
24 May 2012 - 12:02
Krister in Beijing says:
Anonym,
I agree with you. There are many people who want to embellish what Annika did.
If we imagine a situation where two "junkies" (one of whom is a foreigner) shoot a Swedish police officer, I don't think we would be so forgiving of the one who wasn't holding the gun, but see it as a joint action.
We can recall the situation in the Malexander case. There, all three were convicted of murder even though it was probably not all the shooters. Sk. "complicity"
Regards
25 May 2012 - 8:04
admin says:
Anonymous and Krister in Beijing, thank you for your views! I have also thought about this, and agree that participation in a criminal situation should definitely be punishable. I don't think Annika should have gone free at all. Even though she was not holding the firearm, she was part of a situation, and the offence she committed was terrible. However, I am opposed to those parts of the American system that mean that prison sentences do not have an end date but can last indefinitely. I also object to the fact that the victims' desire for revenge is given so much importance.
25 May 2012 - 8:42