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The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Nonfiction (2024)An NBC Dateline producer's cinematic account of two decades navigating a broken criminal justice system to help free six innocent men.
In 2002, Dan Slepian, a veteran producer for NBC’s Dateline, received a tip from a Bronx homicide detective that would change his life. Two men were serving twenty-five years to life in prison for a murder in 1990, the cop said, and he knew for a fact that they did not commit that crime.
Haunted by what he had heard, Slepian began an investigation that eventually led to freedom for those two men, and launched him on a two-decade personal and professional journey through a system fiercely resistant to rectifying—or even acknowledging—its mistakes and their consequences.
The Sing Sing: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice is an investigative journalist’s account of how he took on that system and of the years of prison visits, court hearings and powerful Dateline reporting it took to bring justice to those two men and four others imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. It is also the story of the deep and lasting friendships Slepian formed with the men whose cases he pursued, and how one of them—Jon-Adrian “JJ� Velazquez—provided aid and counsel to him from his cell in Sing Sing prison until his own release in 2021 after decades behind bars.
Like Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, The Sing Sing Files is a deeply personal account of wrongful imprisonment and the enormous effort required to redress it, and a powerful argument for reckoning and accountability. This extraordinary book, at once painful and full of hope, shines a light on a kind of injustice whose consequences we have only begun to confront.
In 2002, Dan Slepian, a veteran producer for NBC’s Dateline, received a tip from a Bronx homicide detective that would change his life. Two men were serving twenty-five years to life in prison for a murder in 1990, the cop said, and he knew for a fact that they did not commit that crime.
Haunted by what he had heard, Slepian began an investigation that eventually led to freedom for those two men, and launched him on a two-decade personal and professional journey through a system fiercely resistant to rectifying—or even acknowledging—its mistakes and their consequences.
The Sing Sing: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice is an investigative journalist’s account of how he took on that system and of the years of prison visits, court hearings and powerful Dateline reporting it took to bring justice to those two men and four others imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. It is also the story of the deep and lasting friendships Slepian formed with the men whose cases he pursued, and how one of them—Jon-Adrian “JJ� Velazquez—provided aid and counsel to him from his cell in Sing Sing prison until his own release in 2021 after decades behind bars.
Like Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, The Sing Sing Files is a deeply personal account of wrongful imprisonment and the enormous effort required to redress it, and a powerful argument for reckoning and accountability. This extraordinary book, at once painful and full of hope, shines a light on a kind of injustice whose consequences we have only begun to confront.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2024
229 people are currently reading
17k people want to read
About the author
Dan Slepian
1book72followersDan Slepian is an award winning journalist at NBC News and a veteran producer of its signature newsmagazine, Dateline. Over more than two decades at NBC, Slepian has spearheaded dozens of documentaries, hidden camera investigations, and breaking news reports.
Referred to as “A TV News Gumshoe� by The New York Times, Slepian’s investigations have helped solve cold cases, assisted in exonerating the wrongfully convicted, and sparked changes in laws.
Slepian was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist for his eight-episode podcast, “Letters From Sing Sing,� which documents his 20-year journey investigating the wrongful conviction of Jon-Adrian “JJ� Velazquez. The podcast hit #1 on Apple’s top charts the day of its release.
Slepian conceived, developed and produced “Justice For All�, an NBC News/MSNBC series about the criminal justice system. The week-long event included the Emmy nominated first town hall from a maximum security prison as well as Dateline’s Emmy nominated “Life Inside,� an impactful and emotional hour about mass incarceration in which Slepian and anchor Lester Holt spent two nights inside Louisiana’s notorious Angola prison.
In February 2021, NBC premiered Dateline’s first docuseries, “The Widower,� an epic five hour network primetime series airing over three nights detailing Slepian’s 13-year investigation into Thomas Randolph, an eccentric murder suspect who had been married six times, and four of his wives are dead.
In May 2019, Dateline debuted its first-ever podcast with Slepian at its helm. The eight episode series �13 Alibis� chronicles Slepian’s investigation into a confounding murder case, and helped exonerate an innocent man.
In 2018, Slepian was granted exclusive access to film rapper Meek Mill on the day of his highly publicized release from prison. Dateline's special, "Dreams and Nightmares" featured Lester Holt's exclusive interview with Meek just hours after his release.
Most notably, Slepian is known for his in-depth reporting about the criminal legal system and specifically, wrongful convictions. His documentaries on the topic have earned him a total of eleven Emmy nominations.
As a volunteer, Slepian works with incarcerated men at Sing Sing prison where he helped create "Voices From Within," a video featuring deeply personal testimonials intended to help reduce gun violence. Slepian introduced the project, which is now a program at the prison, during a TEDx talk at Sing Sing.
Before joining NBC News, Slepian began his career with the Phil Donahue talk show.
Referred to as “A TV News Gumshoe� by The New York Times, Slepian’s investigations have helped solve cold cases, assisted in exonerating the wrongfully convicted, and sparked changes in laws.
Slepian was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist for his eight-episode podcast, “Letters From Sing Sing,� which documents his 20-year journey investigating the wrongful conviction of Jon-Adrian “JJ� Velazquez. The podcast hit #1 on Apple’s top charts the day of its release.
Slepian conceived, developed and produced “Justice For All�, an NBC News/MSNBC series about the criminal justice system. The week-long event included the Emmy nominated first town hall from a maximum security prison as well as Dateline’s Emmy nominated “Life Inside,� an impactful and emotional hour about mass incarceration in which Slepian and anchor Lester Holt spent two nights inside Louisiana’s notorious Angola prison.
In February 2021, NBC premiered Dateline’s first docuseries, “The Widower,� an epic five hour network primetime series airing over three nights detailing Slepian’s 13-year investigation into Thomas Randolph, an eccentric murder suspect who had been married six times, and four of his wives are dead.
In May 2019, Dateline debuted its first-ever podcast with Slepian at its helm. The eight episode series �13 Alibis� chronicles Slepian’s investigation into a confounding murder case, and helped exonerate an innocent man.
In 2018, Slepian was granted exclusive access to film rapper Meek Mill on the day of his highly publicized release from prison. Dateline's special, "Dreams and Nightmares" featured Lester Holt's exclusive interview with Meek just hours after his release.
Most notably, Slepian is known for his in-depth reporting about the criminal legal system and specifically, wrongful convictions. His documentaries on the topic have earned him a total of eleven Emmy nominations.
As a volunteer, Slepian works with incarcerated men at Sing Sing prison where he helped create "Voices From Within," a video featuring deeply personal testimonials intended to help reduce gun violence. Slepian introduced the project, which is now a program at the prison, during a TEDx talk at Sing Sing.
Before joining NBC News, Slepian began his career with the Phil Donahue talk show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
January 8, 2025
This was an important story to tell, but I hated how it was told. The author is a well-established TV investigative journalist. So he had all the skills to get the answers he sought, and he got them. However, he spent probably 1/3-1/2 the book going on and on about how he had a day job, how many years he spent on this side project, how he's as integral to the story as Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez (the focus of the wrongfully convicted in this book). In fact, I kept waiting for Selpian to declare himself the hero in this story. (Only hero here should be JJ, who wrongfully endured 23 years of a 25 sentence.) In fact, all you have to do to see what I mean is read the title of the book: The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice. I mean, he puts himself FIRST!!! That should've been my first clue.
UGH. Ok. So aside from the book being too much about Selpian's involvement, the two other things that really bothered me about his storytelling are that :
1. He set up the whole thing to say, "hey, I did all I could for TWENTY years, so don't judge me cuz this was NOT my day job and I really only could devote my time on this part time, but look at ALL the great other things I did."
2. He also kept getting diverted to other side projects, and I feel like he wouldn't have needed the qualifications all throughout the book had he actually focused on just JJ's case.
The only new nugget I walked away with from this book was his point about the lack of education in prisons. I realized it's similar to keeping slaves deliberately and legally illiterate - keeping people ignorant keeps people in the dark. They cannot advocate for themselves as effectively or understand their options once they leave prison. It's another way to keep people, especially Black and Brown men in mass incarceration. It's another way to keep these men enraged and more likely to get reincarcerated. (Anyone notice how MAGA is banning books, taking over school districts, planning to dissolve the Department of Education, etc. and how these activities are designed to keep the general public ignorant too?)
If you are interested in the topics of wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, or nonwhite social injustice, I recommend one of these other books - all of which changed my life by changing my outlook and understanding of the "justice system":
* Pete Earley's No Human Contact: Solitary Confinement, Maximum Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System
* Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy
* Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
UGH. Ok. So aside from the book being too much about Selpian's involvement, the two other things that really bothered me about his storytelling are that :
1. He set up the whole thing to say, "hey, I did all I could for TWENTY years, so don't judge me cuz this was NOT my day job and I really only could devote my time on this part time, but look at ALL the great other things I did."
2. He also kept getting diverted to other side projects, and I feel like he wouldn't have needed the qualifications all throughout the book had he actually focused on just JJ's case.
The only new nugget I walked away with from this book was his point about the lack of education in prisons. I realized it's similar to keeping slaves deliberately and legally illiterate - keeping people ignorant keeps people in the dark. They cannot advocate for themselves as effectively or understand their options once they leave prison. It's another way to keep people, especially Black and Brown men in mass incarceration. It's another way to keep these men enraged and more likely to get reincarcerated. (Anyone notice how MAGA is banning books, taking over school districts, planning to dissolve the Department of Education, etc. and how these activities are designed to keep the general public ignorant too?)
If you are interested in the topics of wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, or nonwhite social injustice, I recommend one of these other books - all of which changed my life by changing my outlook and understanding of the "justice system":
* Pete Earley's No Human Contact: Solitary Confinement, Maximum Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System
* Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy
* Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
June 23, 2024
This is an eye-opening look at the deeply flawed criminal justice system, written by Dan Slepia, a Dateline producer. After receiving a tip from a detective that two men were imprisoned in Sing Sing for a murder that they did not commit, Mr. Slepia decides to investigate himself. What he finds is greatly disturbing and must be remedied. During his decades long investigation into not only these two men, but four others as well, he is able to get them all freed, but not without many, many roadblocks and defiance from law enforcement officials.
This is a must-read. I suppose most of us realize that innocent people can be falsely accused and sent to prison, but I had no idea that detectives and attorneys care more about just “solving� a crime than actually solving it right. I cannot recommend this book enough. Five solid stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eARC.
This is a must-read. I suppose most of us realize that innocent people can be falsely accused and sent to prison, but I had no idea that detectives and attorneys care more about just “solving� a crime than actually solving it right. I cannot recommend this book enough. Five solid stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eARC.
July 23, 2024
Thank you @celadonbooks #partner for a copy of this book and allowing #thesleuthcrew the chance to read and discuss this one.
This book is packs a much larger punch than I had anticipated and brought out all sorts of emotions. Much of it was anger but also the feeling of dispair, frustration, sadness and disappointment. I am not giving anything away because the title says it all but Dan received a tip from a police officer when he was a young reporter about a homicide. The tip was…the person in jail did not commit the crime…that he knew who did it. Yep. You read that right! So why is the wrong person in prison? Well…that’s what Dan spent 20 years trying to uncover and fight for. In doing research and meeting with the wrongfully accused, he was able to meet other inmates who met similar fates. It’s easy to think everyone in prison would say “I’m innocent� but when Dan lays out the details I promise you, you will be shocked and outraged just like I was. I don’t even know what words I can use to say that our justice system seems so broken and there has to be a better solution to battle corruption. I am thankful Mr. Slepian fought as long and hard as he did to help these men find freedom but wow, it’s certainly not ok the way they got there in the first place. I think this book should be a high school requirement for reading so that more people are educated on how dangerous decisions could be if serving on a jury and also just in general keeping an open mind. If you like true crime and want a unique look at our justice system make sure you grab this one in September!
This book is packs a much larger punch than I had anticipated and brought out all sorts of emotions. Much of it was anger but also the feeling of dispair, frustration, sadness and disappointment. I am not giving anything away because the title says it all but Dan received a tip from a police officer when he was a young reporter about a homicide. The tip was…the person in jail did not commit the crime…that he knew who did it. Yep. You read that right! So why is the wrong person in prison? Well…that’s what Dan spent 20 years trying to uncover and fight for. In doing research and meeting with the wrongfully accused, he was able to meet other inmates who met similar fates. It’s easy to think everyone in prison would say “I’m innocent� but when Dan lays out the details I promise you, you will be shocked and outraged just like I was. I don’t even know what words I can use to say that our justice system seems so broken and there has to be a better solution to battle corruption. I am thankful Mr. Slepian fought as long and hard as he did to help these men find freedom but wow, it’s certainly not ok the way they got there in the first place. I think this book should be a high school requirement for reading so that more people are educated on how dangerous decisions could be if serving on a jury and also just in general keeping an open mind. If you like true crime and want a unique look at our justice system make sure you grab this one in September!
July 5, 2024
The Sing Sing Files is an emotional gut punch.
I’ve read enough social science and true crime to know that our US legal system is unintentionally and intentionally corrupt, ridiculously stubborn, racist, biased, and favorable to the wealthy.
And yet, these stories still managed to, maybe not shock, but absolutely horrify me.
The system makes it too easy to imprison innocent people, and too difficult to get them out. Appeals are a formality designed to protect the prosecution and the judge’s ruling. Proof of corruption or even innocence is no guarantee of a new trial, much less acquittal and release.
Dan Slepian, long-time producer of Dateline, has written a powerful account of six men, wrongly convicted of different crimes, who spent decades of their lives in prison. No one listened. No one cared. And the flimsy evidence that sent each of them away, kept them there even as it fell apart.
If one man who hadn’t even set out to find wrongfully convicted men in one prison managed to so easily find six, how many more are currently locked away across the country, with no one to listen?
*I received a free ARC from Celadon Books.*
I’ve read enough social science and true crime to know that our US legal system is unintentionally and intentionally corrupt, ridiculously stubborn, racist, biased, and favorable to the wealthy.
And yet, these stories still managed to, maybe not shock, but absolutely horrify me.
The system makes it too easy to imprison innocent people, and too difficult to get them out. Appeals are a formality designed to protect the prosecution and the judge’s ruling. Proof of corruption or even innocence is no guarantee of a new trial, much less acquittal and release.
Dan Slepian, long-time producer of Dateline, has written a powerful account of six men, wrongly convicted of different crimes, who spent decades of their lives in prison. No one listened. No one cared. And the flimsy evidence that sent each of them away, kept them there even as it fell apart.
If one man who hadn’t even set out to find wrongfully convicted men in one prison managed to so easily find six, how many more are currently locked away across the country, with no one to listen?
*I received a free ARC from Celadon Books.*
October 19, 2024
The saddest thing about this book is that while in some ways shocking, it is not at all surprising. We have long known the deep systemic racism that runs through the criminal justice system, and that far too many times, innocent Black and Brown men are being imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.
Dateline journalist Dan Slepian’s account of two decades of investigations, within just one prison system, shine the light on how pervasive an issue this is. The stories are gripping; chock full of details on each case and how exactly each innocent man, ended up behind bars. Each of their stories, some told through letters, will move you and anger you in equal parts. And this book in its entirety, is one you won’t soon forget.
Note: Because the stories and cases overlap, there is back and forth between the cases which can be confusing especially on audio alone. I would recommend taking notes to prevent confusion between the cases.
Read if you like:
▪️social justice books
▪️learning about the criminal justice system
▪️investigative journalism
▪️emotional stories
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
Dateline journalist Dan Slepian’s account of two decades of investigations, within just one prison system, shine the light on how pervasive an issue this is. The stories are gripping; chock full of details on each case and how exactly each innocent man, ended up behind bars. Each of their stories, some told through letters, will move you and anger you in equal parts. And this book in its entirety, is one you won’t soon forget.
Note: Because the stories and cases overlap, there is back and forth between the cases which can be confusing especially on audio alone. I would recommend taking notes to prevent confusion between the cases.
Read if you like:
▪️social justice books
▪️learning about the criminal justice system
▪️investigative journalism
▪️emotional stories
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
February 3, 2025
The Sing Sing Files is a powerful true story following Dan Slepian’s investigation into the wrongful conviction of JJ Velasquez and 5 other men in New York over the course of two decades. The book is informative and at the same time, incredibly infuriating � Our justice system remains deeply flawed, unfair, and in desperate need of reform.
I admire Dan’s dedication, and JJ’s persistence in advocating for himself. When I read stories like this, similar to Just Mercy and The Sun Does Shine, I am seething at what wrongly imprisoned people are forced to endure, bogged down by a broken system for far too long while also admiring their patience and relentlessness in not giving up and continuing to fight for their lives. I cannot imagine how exhausting and taxing this is.
The Sing Sing Files is an important read and a welcome reminder that while systems fail us and some people behave poorly or with questionable motives, good people do still exist too.
I admire Dan’s dedication, and JJ’s persistence in advocating for himself. When I read stories like this, similar to Just Mercy and The Sun Does Shine, I am seething at what wrongly imprisoned people are forced to endure, bogged down by a broken system for far too long while also admiring their patience and relentlessness in not giving up and continuing to fight for their lives. I cannot imagine how exhausting and taxing this is.
The Sing Sing Files is an important read and a welcome reminder that while systems fail us and some people behave poorly or with questionable motives, good people do still exist too.
July 11, 2024
This true crime debut novel was investigated and written by NBC Dateline producer, Dan Slepian. This story and dedication began when Dateline had been contacted about two men who had been wrongfully convicted at the Green Haven correctional facility. It was there that he met JJ Velazquez, who was convicted of murdering a former NYC police officer but claimed he was innocent. It would take two decades to free JJ, but JJ also gave Dan five names of other men at Sing Sing correctional facility that had also been wrongfully convicted and Dan was there to help them too.
Sing Sing correctional facility is a maximum security prison in Ossining, New York. It was built more than 200 years ago and houses 1,700 inmates.
Dan introduces readers to these six men; what their lives had been like before, what crimes they were supposedly involved in, and the obstacles he had to go through to free them.
There are around two million Americans locked up in our country, and about 5 percent are wrongfully accused. It’s sickening that corrupt officers can manipulate a person to confess to a crime they didn’t commit.
I’ve been an avid fan of Dateline since I was a teenager so when I saw that Dan had written a true crime novel, I couldn’t pass it up. I learned about the history of the Sing Sing correctional facility, I watched past Dateline episodes that were mentioned in the book, and I listened to “Letters from Sing Sing� podcasts. I immersed myself in the stories of these men, and now that I finished reading, I’m looking for similar books to dive into head first.
Sing Sing correctional facility is a maximum security prison in Ossining, New York. It was built more than 200 years ago and houses 1,700 inmates.
Dan introduces readers to these six men; what their lives had been like before, what crimes they were supposedly involved in, and the obstacles he had to go through to free them.
There are around two million Americans locked up in our country, and about 5 percent are wrongfully accused. It’s sickening that corrupt officers can manipulate a person to confess to a crime they didn’t commit.
I’ve been an avid fan of Dateline since I was a teenager so when I saw that Dan had written a true crime novel, I couldn’t pass it up. I learned about the history of the Sing Sing correctional facility, I watched past Dateline episodes that were mentioned in the book, and I listened to “Letters from Sing Sing� podcasts. I immersed myself in the stories of these men, and now that I finished reading, I’m looking for similar books to dive into head first.
June 6, 2024
One man’s journey to helping people’s lives be restored. This book is very similar to Just Mercy but felt different as the author wasn’t a lawyer but rather just a tv producer, albeit on one of the biggest channels. It’s emotional, brave and insightful. A thoroughly interesting read for a topic that is heavily in the news these days.
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
Every American should read this book, those interested in true crime and those who are not. If you believe just because you have not committed a crime that you're safe, you are sorely wrong.
The events that led up to these false convictions prove that error on the part of humans is definitely going to happen and this system needs a whole redo to prevent such atrocious acts from ever happening again.
Highly recommended.
The events that led up to these false convictions prove that error on the part of humans is definitely going to happen and this system needs a whole redo to prevent such atrocious acts from ever happening again.
Highly recommended.
June 24, 2024
This is a must read for everyone living in America.
Slepian is a NBC producer who has worked on Dateline for years.
For the last couple decades he has used his experience and connections working closely with wrongfully convicted and incarcerated individuals in New York and helping them team up with legal teams to help them fight for their freedom.
The stories are harrowing, heartbreaking, infuriating and maddening.
You are going to discover how truly corrupt our criminal legal system is - I will never give it the benefit of the name "criminal justice system" because a lot of the times there is little justice.
As a former criminal defense attorney, I resonated with all of these stories and the continued corruption I would see done by prosecutors and other people who promised to stand for justice and truth.
Although this is semi-biographical and non-fiction, it reads so easily and you will not want to put it down. I devoured this book in 2 days.
** Thank you NetGalley, Dan Slepian, and Celadon Books.
Slepian is a NBC producer who has worked on Dateline for years.
For the last couple decades he has used his experience and connections working closely with wrongfully convicted and incarcerated individuals in New York and helping them team up with legal teams to help them fight for their freedom.
The stories are harrowing, heartbreaking, infuriating and maddening.
You are going to discover how truly corrupt our criminal legal system is - I will never give it the benefit of the name "criminal justice system" because a lot of the times there is little justice.
As a former criminal defense attorney, I resonated with all of these stories and the continued corruption I would see done by prosecutors and other people who promised to stand for justice and truth.
Although this is semi-biographical and non-fiction, it reads so easily and you will not want to put it down. I devoured this book in 2 days.
** Thank you NetGalley, Dan Slepian, and Celadon Books.
July 28, 2024
Thank you Netgalley & Celadon Books for an advanced copy of this incredible book! I devoured this. I'm a big fan of true crime, and to be honest: this book made me FEEL a lot of things.
Dan Slepian is an NBC Dateline producer (and investigative journalist) who stumbled into a life of work in criminal justice reform. He tells us the stories (weaved together wonderfully) of six men that were wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for crimes they didn't commit.
The stories of these men, how the DAs office knew of their innocence and kept denying appeals for the sake of it, was infuriating. Just like Dan, I grew up believing there was justice in the law. But as an adult, I know that's rarely true.
I highly recommend picking this up if you're into shows like Dateline, 48 hours, or any true crime documentaries! It's fascinating reading Dan's writing and I'm very glad I got a chance to read this early.
This book publishes 9/10/24!
Dan Slepian is an NBC Dateline producer (and investigative journalist) who stumbled into a life of work in criminal justice reform. He tells us the stories (weaved together wonderfully) of six men that were wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for crimes they didn't commit.
The stories of these men, how the DAs office knew of their innocence and kept denying appeals for the sake of it, was infuriating. Just like Dan, I grew up believing there was justice in the law. But as an adult, I know that's rarely true.
I highly recommend picking this up if you're into shows like Dateline, 48 hours, or any true crime documentaries! It's fascinating reading Dan's writing and I'm very glad I got a chance to read this early.
This book publishes 9/10/24!
July 1, 2024
Dan Slepian's gripping story about working as an investigative journalist to expose the problem of wrongful convictions is a must-read for young prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, law students interested in a career in criminal law, and pretty much anyone who wants to understand on a fundamental level how and why wrongful convictions occur.
As Chief of the Conviction Review Unit at the Brooklyn DA's Office, I am immensely proud of the work we do investigating cases of alleged wrongful conviction and moving to vacate convictions where we determine the state got it wrong. But I also spend a lot of time thinking about how to prevent these tragedies going forward. Slepian's book marks an important step in that direction. The stories he tells in the book are captivating, as stories of wrongful conviction usually are. But his focus on the appalling lack of investigation on both sides as a root cause, and his articulation of the infuriating systemic roadblocks and prejudices that perpetuate these tragedies were what really caught my attention. It's clear to me that Slepian has thought about these issues on a far deeper level than most lawyers in criminal practice, never mind journalists or laypeople.
It's rare to find a book that succeeds so perfectly at exposing complex problems with our justice system while simultaneously being a page-turner. Like Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, Slepian’s book manages to do both.
As Chief of the Conviction Review Unit at the Brooklyn DA's Office, I am immensely proud of the work we do investigating cases of alleged wrongful conviction and moving to vacate convictions where we determine the state got it wrong. But I also spend a lot of time thinking about how to prevent these tragedies going forward. Slepian's book marks an important step in that direction. The stories he tells in the book are captivating, as stories of wrongful conviction usually are. But his focus on the appalling lack of investigation on both sides as a root cause, and his articulation of the infuriating systemic roadblocks and prejudices that perpetuate these tragedies were what really caught my attention. It's clear to me that Slepian has thought about these issues on a far deeper level than most lawyers in criminal practice, never mind journalists or laypeople.
It's rare to find a book that succeeds so perfectly at exposing complex problems with our justice system while simultaneously being a page-turner. Like Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, Slepian’s book manages to do both.
November 3, 2024
I went between the physical and audiobook with this one. It was read by the author who was fantastic. I found this one so interesting. It's sad to think about how many inmates are falsely convicted. I loved reading what the author has done to help find justice for the innocent. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 18, 2024
HAPPY PUB DAY!
One of 2024's Must Reads
No matter what I write, it won't do this book justice. It's all of the heart-'s: heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart wrenching.
It came as no surprise that the audiobook was extremely well done, I couldn't expect anything less from Dan Slepian. The inclusion of real audio was a great touch; hearing the pleading cries and powerful letters read first hand lends something to this story that isn't possible with a print copy. I'd highly recommend the audiobook vs the print version, but either way reading this is a must.
Now bear with me on this one... As I was finishing up this book, I happened to pick up and start reading. The overlap in content is *chef's kiss*. 's writing isn't for everyone (is this the understatement of the century?) and some of the book is more about Anna than the justice system. But the transparency and veracity is unlike any other book I've read on the subject. For my litfic girlies, it was a great bridge between the two genres and a palate cleanser when I needed a laugh (this book is HEAVY (which feels stupid to say because what's heavier than actually being the person wrongfully convicted? wah, poor me is sad just reading about it)). A combo that's weird but good, like dipping your mickyd's fries in your mcflurry.
I'll be thinking about this book and the people in it for a long, long time. Hopefully forever.
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Dan Slepian and publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!}
One of 2024's Must Reads
No matter what I write, it won't do this book justice. It's all of the heart-'s: heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart wrenching.
It came as no surprise that the audiobook was extremely well done, I couldn't expect anything less from Dan Slepian. The inclusion of real audio was a great touch; hearing the pleading cries and powerful letters read first hand lends something to this story that isn't possible with a print copy. I'd highly recommend the audiobook vs the print version, but either way reading this is a must.
Now bear with me on this one... As I was finishing up this book, I happened to pick up and start reading. The overlap in content is *chef's kiss*. 's writing isn't for everyone (is this the understatement of the century?) and some of the book is more about Anna than the justice system. But the transparency and veracity is unlike any other book I've read on the subject. For my litfic girlies, it was a great bridge between the two genres and a palate cleanser when I needed a laugh (this book is HEAVY (which feels stupid to say because what's heavier than actually being the person wrongfully convicted? wah, poor me is sad just reading about it)). A combo that's weird but good, like dipping your mickyd's fries in your mcflurry.
I'll be thinking about this book and the people in it for a long, long time. Hopefully forever.
{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Dan Slepian and publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!}
November 25, 2024
Went through the emotions on this one. Such an important and eye-opening read.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
.
One journalist, six innocent men, and a 20 year fight for justice.
.
Everyone knows that no one is perfect. We all make mistakes, we all get things wrong, there are misunderstandings daily.
Because no human is perfect: no government is perfect. They make mistakes. They get things wrong.
The Sing Sing Files should be required reading.
.
I rarely read Non Fiction but I flew through reading this book. What an incredible story that really opened my eyes. I am so happy that these men are out of prison and shocked really at all they went through just to prove their innocence.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have never watched an episode of Dateline but after reading this book am interested to now.
.
One journalist, six innocent men, and a 20 year fight for justice.
.
Everyone knows that no one is perfect. We all make mistakes, we all get things wrong, there are misunderstandings daily.
Because no human is perfect: no government is perfect. They make mistakes. They get things wrong.
The Sing Sing Files should be required reading.
.
I rarely read Non Fiction but I flew through reading this book. What an incredible story that really opened my eyes. I am so happy that these men are out of prison and shocked really at all they went through just to prove their innocence.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have never watched an episode of Dateline but after reading this book am interested to now.
July 18, 2024
Impactful book that all should read especially if you are interested in the judicial system. It will be an eye opener for many.
July 19, 2024
This book is so fascinating and utterly infuriating. Dan Slepian, a Dateline reporter, retells his fight to help free six innocent men from prison. I was shocked by so much in this book. The first being the estimation of how many innocent people are currently in prison. Mind blowing! As the author tells the stories, it was stunning to learn that even though it was proven that the gentlemen were innocent it was so hard to get them free, some fighting for decades. I have not read anything like this before and while I knew that unfortunately some innocent people were in prison, I had no idea how many and the absolute struggle to get them free. This is a must read for people who are interested in how the US justice system works (or doesn't work).
Thank you Celadon Books for the gifted copy.
Thank you Celadon Books for the gifted copy.
July 4, 2024
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book!
This book was a heavy read, but so worth it. I've read similar books before (sadly, the injustice is common enough to have plenty of stories out there), but this was the first one from the perspective of a journalist. It was difficult to realize that so many wrongful convictions are still happening and that it's not only something from the past or just in the deep south. I think the worst part of it may be that even when it becomes painfully obvious that someone is in prison who shouldn't be there, it still takes years or even decades to get them released. Thankfully, there are people fighting for some of those who need it. But I have to think that we could stop this from happening in the first place. And for every book that's written, there must be dozens of other people in the same situation whose stories we don't hear.
This book was a heavy read, but so worth it. I've read similar books before (sadly, the injustice is common enough to have plenty of stories out there), but this was the first one from the perspective of a journalist. It was difficult to realize that so many wrongful convictions are still happening and that it's not only something from the past or just in the deep south. I think the worst part of it may be that even when it becomes painfully obvious that someone is in prison who shouldn't be there, it still takes years or even decades to get them released. Thankfully, there are people fighting for some of those who need it. But I have to think that we could stop this from happening in the first place. And for every book that's written, there must be dozens of other people in the same situation whose stories we don't hear.
September 18, 2024
If you know me at all, you know I’ll never turn down the chance to read a book about the criminal justice system - especially related to wrongful incarceration. So huge thank you to @celadonbooks for the #gifted copy!
It feels weird to say this was a “good� book or I “enjoyed� it, because this part-memoir, part-investigative journalism book revolves around one man’s journey in helping SIX wrongfully imprisoned men get released from Sing Sing Prison in New York.
I don’t really know what to say. It’s infuriating to me that this country is okay with people who are obviously innocent being imprisoned. And making it nearly impossible to gain their freedom because police departments, prosecutors, and judges don’t want to admit they’re wrong?!?!? Make it make sense. I don’t understand how these people are okay with that and think they’re doing their jobs.
Did you know that experts estimate between 1-5% of people in U.S. prisons are innocent? That’s between 20,000 and over 100,000 people.
I appreciate the author writing this book and shedding even more light on the topic. I’m still in awe that he was able to help SIX men in a single prison get their freedom back. I’ll definitely be checking out those Dateline episode and podcasts mentioned in the book.
This one comes out on September 10th. PLEASE grab a copy!
It feels weird to say this was a “good� book or I “enjoyed� it, because this part-memoir, part-investigative journalism book revolves around one man’s journey in helping SIX wrongfully imprisoned men get released from Sing Sing Prison in New York.
I don’t really know what to say. It’s infuriating to me that this country is okay with people who are obviously innocent being imprisoned. And making it nearly impossible to gain their freedom because police departments, prosecutors, and judges don’t want to admit they’re wrong?!?!? Make it make sense. I don’t understand how these people are okay with that and think they’re doing their jobs.
Did you know that experts estimate between 1-5% of people in U.S. prisons are innocent? That’s between 20,000 and over 100,000 people.
I appreciate the author writing this book and shedding even more light on the topic. I’m still in awe that he was able to help SIX men in a single prison get their freedom back. I’ll definitely be checking out those Dateline episode and podcasts mentioned in the book.
This one comes out on September 10th. PLEASE grab a copy!
August 22, 2024
My obsession was how obviously broken our justice system was. from The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
It’s not like I hadn’t read books about the wrongfully imprisoned before. I read Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy. I read The Sun Will Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, one of the men Steveson helped. I have read newspaper articles about the release of the wrongfully imprisoned.
And yet Dan Slepian’s book hit me hard. I couldn’t put it down, the urgency and shock so obvious in his narrative. It left me depleted, wrung out, depressed.
For a brief second, I imagined my own life had I been wrongfully imprisoned, and frankly it was too terrible to hold onto, I had to put it away. And yet the men in this book lived with this horror for decades. And some, like JJ, took the worst life could give and turned it to good, for himself and his fellow incarcerated men. It is remarkable to consider.
Dan Slepian, a Dateline producer, warned JJ that he was only after the truth. His goal was not to exonerate JJ through his investigative reporting. But over the years, freeing JJ and the other five men in this book became personal.
…eyewitness misidentification has been found to be the leading cause of wrongful convictions� from the Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
Under pressure to resolve crimes, police took shortcuts, ignored evidence, didn’t follow up with witnesses, ‘lost� files, pressured witnesses, and relied on an identification process often impacted by bias. One court witness, asked to identify the man who committed a crime, picked out a man serving on the jury! Jurors later regretted being pressured to vote for a verdict they didn’t agree with.
When I first saw it, I thought, This is a place I wouldn’t even board my dogs. on seeing Sing-Sing, from The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
What Slepian learned altered his paradigm of thinking about justice and the prison system in America. He was surprised to learn how humanely the European systems treat the incarcerated. In America, more people are locked up than in any other country–two million. There is little incentive to rehabilitate the incarcerated.
I was a girl when I read the Classics Illustrated Comic Book of Les Miserables and I was tackling the novel by Seventh Grade. You know the story of a man who stole a loaf of bread for his starving family and ended up incarcerated for years, who escapes and becomes an upstanding citizen, all while being pursued by a policeman.
Reading The Sing Sing Files, it seemed that American justice hasn’t developed much further. We concentrate on the crime and punishment.
Slepian saw that JJ was “an exceptional person� of great integrity and forgiveness. Even while he lived in a freezing, cold water cell. Even as he missed his children’s childhood, couldn’t be there to help his son maneuver into manhood. He concentrated on helping others who told Slepian “If it weren’t for JJ…�. After serving twenty-three years of his twenty-five year sentence, JJ returned to Sing Sing as a volunteer!
How can we fix a broken system with its pressure to quickly ‘solve� crimes, the inhumanity of a prison system that is better on becoming a revolving door than reclamation, a system that does not acknowledge error and keeps the innocent locked up? That is the book I want to read next. Something to offer hope.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
It’s not like I hadn’t read books about the wrongfully imprisoned before. I read Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy. I read The Sun Will Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, one of the men Steveson helped. I have read newspaper articles about the release of the wrongfully imprisoned.
And yet Dan Slepian’s book hit me hard. I couldn’t put it down, the urgency and shock so obvious in his narrative. It left me depleted, wrung out, depressed.
For a brief second, I imagined my own life had I been wrongfully imprisoned, and frankly it was too terrible to hold onto, I had to put it away. And yet the men in this book lived with this horror for decades. And some, like JJ, took the worst life could give and turned it to good, for himself and his fellow incarcerated men. It is remarkable to consider.
Dan Slepian, a Dateline producer, warned JJ that he was only after the truth. His goal was not to exonerate JJ through his investigative reporting. But over the years, freeing JJ and the other five men in this book became personal.
…eyewitness misidentification has been found to be the leading cause of wrongful convictions� from the Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
Under pressure to resolve crimes, police took shortcuts, ignored evidence, didn’t follow up with witnesses, ‘lost� files, pressured witnesses, and relied on an identification process often impacted by bias. One court witness, asked to identify the man who committed a crime, picked out a man serving on the jury! Jurors later regretted being pressured to vote for a verdict they didn’t agree with.
When I first saw it, I thought, This is a place I wouldn’t even board my dogs. on seeing Sing-Sing, from The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
What Slepian learned altered his paradigm of thinking about justice and the prison system in America. He was surprised to learn how humanely the European systems treat the incarcerated. In America, more people are locked up than in any other country–two million. There is little incentive to rehabilitate the incarcerated.
I was a girl when I read the Classics Illustrated Comic Book of Les Miserables and I was tackling the novel by Seventh Grade. You know the story of a man who stole a loaf of bread for his starving family and ended up incarcerated for years, who escapes and becomes an upstanding citizen, all while being pursued by a policeman.
Reading The Sing Sing Files, it seemed that American justice hasn’t developed much further. We concentrate on the crime and punishment.
Slepian saw that JJ was “an exceptional person� of great integrity and forgiveness. Even while he lived in a freezing, cold water cell. Even as he missed his children’s childhood, couldn’t be there to help his son maneuver into manhood. He concentrated on helping others who told Slepian “If it weren’t for JJ…�. After serving twenty-three years of his twenty-five year sentence, JJ returned to Sing Sing as a volunteer!
How can we fix a broken system with its pressure to quickly ‘solve� crimes, the inhumanity of a prison system that is better on becoming a revolving door than reclamation, a system that does not acknowledge error and keeps the innocent locked up? That is the book I want to read next. Something to offer hope.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
September 14, 2024
“𝘛𝘩� 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮� 𝘪𝘴𝘯’� 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘐𝘵’� 𝘣��𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘯 - 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’� 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.�
This was such a powerful and important book. A must read for every person. I was shocked by the amount of overwhelming evidence that revealed the innocence of these men and it was still a struggle to overturn convictions and free them� sometimes decades of fighting the system. The statistics for the amount of innocent people who are incarcerated are astounding.
This book shines a light on mass incarceration in the US and the deeply flawed criminal justice system. It was maddening to read about the corruption of these prosecutors and people involved that were supposed to find the truth and justice for these men. The stories in this book are heartbreaking and infuriating. This is an undeniable crisis, inhumane and cruel, and I am thankful to those who are willing to fight and seek truth in hopes we can do better. I especially appreciated the call for accountability in this book.
Thank you, Celadon for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a powerful and important book. A must read for every person. I was shocked by the amount of overwhelming evidence that revealed the innocence of these men and it was still a struggle to overturn convictions and free them� sometimes decades of fighting the system. The statistics for the amount of innocent people who are incarcerated are astounding.
This book shines a light on mass incarceration in the US and the deeply flawed criminal justice system. It was maddening to read about the corruption of these prosecutors and people involved that were supposed to find the truth and justice for these men. The stories in this book are heartbreaking and infuriating. This is an undeniable crisis, inhumane and cruel, and I am thankful to those who are willing to fight and seek truth in hopes we can do better. I especially appreciated the call for accountability in this book.
Thank you, Celadon for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2024
Thank you to @macmillian.audio and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Author Dan Slepian narrated his debut novel and did an exceptional job of narrating The Sing Sing Files. I listened at 1.75x. Dan Slepian is an award winning journalist at NBC News and a veteran producer of its signature newsmagazine Dateline.
Bookish Thoughts: This book made me feel all the emotions from tragic, infuriating, depressing and eventually resiliency. Sing Sing Files is a masterpiece that read like a Dateline podcast with interview excerpts and other audio effects. If you enjoyed Just Mercy, make sure you don’t miss out on this one. It is a must read and will be one of my favorite audiobooks for 2024!
#MacAudio2024
Author Dan Slepian narrated his debut novel and did an exceptional job of narrating The Sing Sing Files. I listened at 1.75x. Dan Slepian is an award winning journalist at NBC News and a veteran producer of its signature newsmagazine Dateline.
Bookish Thoughts: This book made me feel all the emotions from tragic, infuriating, depressing and eventually resiliency. Sing Sing Files is a masterpiece that read like a Dateline podcast with interview excerpts and other audio effects. If you enjoyed Just Mercy, make sure you don’t miss out on this one. It is a must read and will be one of my favorite audiobooks for 2024!
#MacAudio2024
October 9, 2024
There’s not much I could possibly add to the praise for this book but, I will emphatically say this:
This book should be required reading for anyone who cares about living in a free and just society.
What Dan uncovers in his two decades of helping these wrongfully convicted individuals is shocking, infuriating, and maddening. I binge listened this in a single day because, I felt deeply compelled to bear witness along with these accounts. The world needs more people like Dan Slepian, to not only bring injustices to light but for the hope that one day there may be true reform.
If you read/listen to only one non-fiction book to close out this year (perhaps for Non-Fiction November?), I implore you to consider The Sing Sing Files.
This book should be required reading for anyone who cares about living in a free and just society.
What Dan uncovers in his two decades of helping these wrongfully convicted individuals is shocking, infuriating, and maddening. I binge listened this in a single day because, I felt deeply compelled to bear witness along with these accounts. The world needs more people like Dan Slepian, to not only bring injustices to light but for the hope that one day there may be true reform.
If you read/listen to only one non-fiction book to close out this year (perhaps for Non-Fiction November?), I implore you to consider The Sing Sing Files.
August 29, 2024
Thank you to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review
THE SING SING FILES is a work of “investigative journalism lite� designed to appeal to the broadest masses. It’s not the most memorable work I’ve ever read, but will be interesting to those looking to venture into reading investigative journalism pieces.
Slepian’s lack of firm stance on what he’s reporting about means it has broad appeal but may lack in longer-term influence and change. He begins with a summary of how he came to work at NBC, followed by a lot of passages proudly proclaiming his support for and admiration of police officers. This was a bit cringe to read, knowing what we know now, but my guess is that this is Slepian’s attempt to make sure he doesn’t alienate his potential “Blue Lives Matter� audience. Hence the “written for mass appeal� angle.
The primary arc of THE SING SING FILES follows the case of JJ, a well-spoken man who insists that he was wrongfully imprisoned for the killing of a club bodyguard. But while JJ’s own requests for a retrial keep being turned down, he establishes a relationship with Slepian and directs him toward 5 other men, all with similar assertions that they were wrongfully convicted.
Slepian’s investigation into each of the men’s cases follows the same arc, featuring prosecutors suppressing evidence, witness leads not being followed up, and detectives violating interrogation regulations by biasing witnesses to give them the answers they were looking for. Many of these cases, Slepian notes, occurred during a period of time when NYC was facing public pressure to catch criminals following gruesome killings, but it doesn’t really excuse the fact that the DA’s office handled the arrests poorly.
Rather than focus his efforts on uncovering and commenting on systemic policy violations of the New York justice system, however, Slepian chooses to use the cliches of exceptionalism to garner his readers� sympathy for the wrongfully convicted men. Many of JJ’s letters to Slepian, for example, are read by JJ himself, to showcase his above-average eloquence. One former Sing Sing convict whose wrongful conviction was overturned went on to perform his own songs at Carnegie Hall.
There’s a particularly cringe-worthy section near the end of the book where Slepian literally comforts a juror who felt remorse over her role in convicting JJ on inconclusive evidence by telling her that, had JJ not been imprisoned for over 20 years, he would have never had the opportunity to visit the White House and been offered the directorial position of a nonprofit. Um, HUH?! I’ll let you sit on that one yourself.
So THE SING SING FILES made for a quick read, but the repetitiveness and relative tameness of its structure and conclusions (beyond mentioning that the DA’s office refused to comment for his book, Slepian also briefly mentions the many times in the past 20 years that they’d refused to work with him) means that it’s kind of a one-and-done read for me.
THE SING SING FILES is a work of “investigative journalism lite� designed to appeal to the broadest masses. It’s not the most memorable work I’ve ever read, but will be interesting to those looking to venture into reading investigative journalism pieces.
Slepian’s lack of firm stance on what he’s reporting about means it has broad appeal but may lack in longer-term influence and change. He begins with a summary of how he came to work at NBC, followed by a lot of passages proudly proclaiming his support for and admiration of police officers. This was a bit cringe to read, knowing what we know now, but my guess is that this is Slepian’s attempt to make sure he doesn’t alienate his potential “Blue Lives Matter� audience. Hence the “written for mass appeal� angle.
The primary arc of THE SING SING FILES follows the case of JJ, a well-spoken man who insists that he was wrongfully imprisoned for the killing of a club bodyguard. But while JJ’s own requests for a retrial keep being turned down, he establishes a relationship with Slepian and directs him toward 5 other men, all with similar assertions that they were wrongfully convicted.
Slepian’s investigation into each of the men’s cases follows the same arc, featuring prosecutors suppressing evidence, witness leads not being followed up, and detectives violating interrogation regulations by biasing witnesses to give them the answers they were looking for. Many of these cases, Slepian notes, occurred during a period of time when NYC was facing public pressure to catch criminals following gruesome killings, but it doesn’t really excuse the fact that the DA’s office handled the arrests poorly.
Rather than focus his efforts on uncovering and commenting on systemic policy violations of the New York justice system, however, Slepian chooses to use the cliches of exceptionalism to garner his readers� sympathy for the wrongfully convicted men. Many of JJ’s letters to Slepian, for example, are read by JJ himself, to showcase his above-average eloquence. One former Sing Sing convict whose wrongful conviction was overturned went on to perform his own songs at Carnegie Hall.
There’s a particularly cringe-worthy section near the end of the book where Slepian literally comforts a juror who felt remorse over her role in convicting JJ on inconclusive evidence by telling her that, had JJ not been imprisoned for over 20 years, he would have never had the opportunity to visit the White House and been offered the directorial position of a nonprofit. Um, HUH?! I’ll let you sit on that one yourself.
So THE SING SING FILES made for a quick read, but the repetitiveness and relative tameness of its structure and conclusions (beyond mentioning that the DA’s office refused to comment for his book, Slepian also briefly mentions the many times in the past 20 years that they’d refused to work with him) means that it’s kind of a one-and-done read for me.
July 11, 2024
The publisher of this book definitely Googled me and found my LinkedIn rather than just looking at my socials. Nicely done, Celadon.
"The Sing Sing Files" follows Dateline producer Dan Slepian's decades long journey into the world of wrongful convictions and innocence work. Told through the stories of several men he met throughout the years, it primarily focuses on the story of JJ Velazquez, who is still awaiting a full exoneration for a crime he did not commit.
I thought that this book is a great intro into the injustices of wrongful conviction in the US criminal justice system and does a good job of conveying how systemic and widespread wrongful conviction is, and the issues that lead to it. The book is highly readable, filled with personal narratives from those affected by wrongful conviction and those working to prevent past wrongs. Readers unfamiliar with these types of stories will feel shock and surprise along with Slepian as he learns more about this world throughout his career.
For someone who clearly understands the systemic and endemic issues leading to wrongful conviction (often due to prosecutorial and police misconduct), Slepian sometimes seems slightly hesitant to criticize these institutions as a whole. This is a book that clearly conveys that our justice system is fundamentally broken, however Slepian often expresses that despite what has occured, and the ramifications, the officers must have been acting with "good faith" or did not have ill intentions. While he was highly critical of certain individuals, it sometimes felt like he was afraid of offending certain groups. This occasionally weakened his overall argument.
Overall, I think this was a successful memoir and a great way to learn about the widespread issue of wrongful convictions.
4 stars
Thank you Celadon for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
"The Sing Sing Files" follows Dateline producer Dan Slepian's decades long journey into the world of wrongful convictions and innocence work. Told through the stories of several men he met throughout the years, it primarily focuses on the story of JJ Velazquez, who is still awaiting a full exoneration for a crime he did not commit.
I thought that this book is a great intro into the injustices of wrongful conviction in the US criminal justice system and does a good job of conveying how systemic and widespread wrongful conviction is, and the issues that lead to it. The book is highly readable, filled with personal narratives from those affected by wrongful conviction and those working to prevent past wrongs. Readers unfamiliar with these types of stories will feel shock and surprise along with Slepian as he learns more about this world throughout his career.
For someone who clearly understands the systemic and endemic issues leading to wrongful conviction (often due to prosecutorial and police misconduct), Slepian sometimes seems slightly hesitant to criticize these institutions as a whole. This is a book that clearly conveys that our justice system is fundamentally broken, however Slepian often expresses that despite what has occured, and the ramifications, the officers must have been acting with "good faith" or did not have ill intentions. While he was highly critical of certain individuals, it sometimes felt like he was afraid of offending certain groups. This occasionally weakened his overall argument.
Overall, I think this was a successful memoir and a great way to learn about the widespread issue of wrongful convictions.
4 stars
Thank you Celadon for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2025
Cried!
December 24, 2024
Whatever negative feelings you have about the American justice system 10x them immediately and I’m sure we’ll still be far away from understanding the sheer horror it represents.
Well written book that does well to underscore the effect that wrongful conviction and incarceration in general have on its victims as well as society as a whole
Thankful that people like this exist that are willing to put in the Herculean effort necessary to win small battles against the huge evil that is the system.
Hoping this book inspires many
Sidenote: The movie Sing Sing which was loosely based on these true stories is movie of the year. The bravery and resilience of the men portrayed in the film and in this book move me daily
Well written book that does well to underscore the effect that wrongful conviction and incarceration in general have on its victims as well as society as a whole
Thankful that people like this exist that are willing to put in the Herculean effort necessary to win small battles against the huge evil that is the system.
Hoping this book inspires many
Sidenote: The movie Sing Sing which was loosely based on these true stories is movie of the year. The bravery and resilience of the men portrayed in the film and in this book move me daily
September 8, 2024
This has been compared to Just Mercy, and I think that’s a fair comparison. The audiobook felt like listening to an extra long episode of the Serial podcast.
The events that are detailed here are unbelievable- in the worst way imaginable. I’m thankful that people like Dan Slepian and others have a heart for justice and truth!
Highly recommend!
The events that are detailed here are unbelievable- in the worst way imaginable. I’m thankful that people like Dan Slepian and others have a heart for justice and truth!
Highly recommend!
September 15, 2024
This was an absolutely incredible, eye-opening, intense, powerful, and must-read book. I feel as though I have been incredibly naive about our justice system, and the stories that lie within this book can break your heart and increase your blood pressure all at the same time. "Innocent until proven guilty" is clearly not a true theme that has been ingrained in us. I hope and pray this book brings light and change to the broken system. Thank you, Mr. Slepian, for your drive and dedication.
Thank you to #Netgalley and #McMillanaudio for this ARC.
Thank you to #Netgalley and #McMillanaudio for this ARC.
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