Bazelon’s revelatory book argues that one of the main causes of the current mass incarceration crisis is the role played by prosecutors. Stated simply, prosecutors have too much power. They make most of the key decisions in a case, such as choosing the charge, setting bail, and determining the plea bargain, and answer to virtually no one. Bazelon, co-host of the Slate podcast, Political Gabfest, author of Sticks and Stones, and staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, illustrates the nefarious effects of prosecutorial control by following two cases, one in Brooklyn, one on Memphis. She also shows how we can correct this imbalance of power by electing prosecutors, and examines a number of localities where elected D.A.s have already begun to reshape the prosecutorial role. Bazelon will be in conversation with Hanna Rosin, co-host of the NPR podcast Invisibilia.
