Just Mercy Chapter 12 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What contrast does the first two paragraphs set up, and how does this encourage readers to read further?

There's a contrast between the urban New York scenery and the elegantly dressed woman walking through it to the dinner she will be honored at, and the knowledge that this same woman was from a poor rural town and had only three months ago been released from a life sentence. The reader will be curious how this extreme change of fortune happened.

What is Marsha Colbey's family and life situation?

She and her husband are poor and temporarily out of work because of hurricane Ivan. They have six kids and live in a small trailer. At age 43, Marsha becomes pregnant with her seventh kid.

What happens with Marsha's pregnancy?

She can't afford prenatal care and it turns out she has placental abruption. The pregnancy ends in a stillbirth.

How did Marsha come to be charged with capital murder?

A suspicious neighbor called the police and they found the baby's grave. A forensic pathologist, Kathleen Enstice, exhumed the body and declared the baby had been born alive, but she did not even perform an autopsy. Signup and view all the answers

In court, Kathleen Enstice's diagnosis is discredited. Despite this, what sort of evidence does the prosecution present to secure a conviction?

Ad hominem attacks—they bring up that she was a former drug user. They cast her as a bad parent because of this and because the trailer was not tidy and she hadn't obtained prenatal care. Signup and view all the answers

Although America is a world power, we have a high rate of infant mortality. What is one reason for this?

Many poor women cannot get prenatal and postnatal care. Signup and view all the answers

How else has 'bad parenting' been criminalized?

Alabama made it a felony to expose a child to a 'dangerous environment.' This law has been applied in such a way that women have been prosecuted for living in communities with drug problems; essentially they are prosecuted for being poor. Women have also been prosecuted for using drugs at any time during their pregnancy. Signup and view all the answers

Marsha Colbey is sent to the Julia Tutwiler Prison for women. What is ironic about this prison and who it's named for?

It's named for a woman who advocated for humane treatment of prisoners, but it's an over-crowded, horrible place. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the 'collateral consequences of incarcerating women'?

The vast majority of incarcerated women have minor children, most of whom live with their mothers, so when the women are imprisoned, their children's lives are disrupted and harmed in a way not easily if at all recovered from. Signup and view all the answers

What form of abuse do the inmates of Tutwiler frequently suffer?

They are often sexually harassed and raped. Many have even become pregnant as a result of rape. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marsha Colbey's Background

Contrasting urban New York with Marsha Colbey’s humble beginnings highlights her dramatic transformation from life imprisonment to an honored guest.
Marsha and her husband face financial hardship, worsened by Hurricane Ivan, while raising six children in a cramped trailer.

Pregnancy Challenges

At 43, Marsha unexpectedly becomes pregnant with her seventh child but lacks access to prenatal care.
The pregnancy results in a stillbirth due to a severe medical condition called placental abruption.

Legal Problems and Charges

A neighbor's suspicion leads to police involvement, resulting in the discovery of the baby's grave.
Forensic pathologist Kathleen Enstice conducts an examination asserting the baby was born alive, despite not performing a full autopsy.

Court Proceedings

Kathleen Enstice's credibility is undermined in court; the prosecution resorts to personal attacks based on her past drug use and Marsha’s living conditions to establish a negative image.
Evidence against Marsha includes her lack of prenatal care and the state of their living environment, framing her as an irresponsible parent.

Societal Context

The United States experiences high infant mortality rates, notably among impoverished women who struggle to access necessary healthcare services.
"Bad parenting" laws, such as Alabama's felony statute for exposing children to harmful environments, lead to the prosecution of women in disadvantaged conditions.

Incarceration and Consequences

Marsha is incarcerated at Julia Tutwiler Prison, ironically named after a reform advocate, yet known for its overcrowded and abusive conditions.
Collateral consequences of incarcerating mothers include severe disruption to the lives of their minor children, who often suffer long-term negative effects.

Abuse in Prison

Inmates at Tutwiler often endure sexual harassment and assault, with many victims experiencing pregnancies resulting from these abuses.

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Description

Explore key themes and contrasts in Chapter 12 of 'Just Mercy'. These flashcards will help you understand the powerful narrative and the contrasting backgrounds presented in the text, engaging readers with the story's deeper implications.