Are you deeply moved by stories of wrongful convictions? THE SING SING FILES: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice is a profoundly heartbreaking piece of investigative journalism that introduces readers to Sing Sing, a maximum security prison that houses many of Manhattan's most violent criminals, and also home to a handful of innocent men.

Dan Slepian, host of Dateline NBC began working with wrongfully convicted individuals decades ago as a side project outside of his Dateline projects. This book primarily follows JJ, who really began Dan’s interest in this type of work, but also shares the story of other men within Sing Sing. Through these men’s stories Dan captures the helplessness and gross injustice of wrongful congvisions. Readers are left to wonder–how could this possibly happen? How does our criminal legal system allow this to continue to happen over and over again?

We hear directly from wrongfully imprisoned men as they explore the systemic injustices that stripped them of their freedoms, dignity, and the life they once knew.

I highly recommend the audiobook format narrated by Dan Slepian. Listening to this audiobook felt like I was watching a captivating episode of Dateline and it also includes portions narrated by the actual men wrongfully convicted. It is really Investigative journalism at its finest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sing Sing Files is so so good, while at the same time being so incredibly infuriating. Sepian masterfully crafts an infuriating but hopeful book on wrongful imprisonment in the US prison system that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out the outcomes for each of the wrongfully imprisoned men. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. A huge thank you to Macmillan Audi for Celadon books and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fascinating and well written! I have been a long time fan of Dateline and true crime for years and this really hit the spot!

Dan Slepian narrates the audio and it was equally as amazing and the stories told by these wrongfully convicted men. I was immersed in their situations and am saddened that in our justice system this was able to happen,

If you like true crime, give this one a listen!

A great book for true crime junkies, a look inside the criminal justice system focused on six wrongfully convicted prisoners by a producer from dateline. The audiobook is well read by the author!

The Sing Sing Files: One journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a 20 Year Fight for Justice by Dan Slepian, Narrated by Dan Slepian

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Sing Sing Files offers an intense, first-person account from Dan Slepian, an NBC Dateline producer who received a credible tip in 2002 from a police officer. The tip alleged that two men were incarcerated for a murder they didn’t commit, leading Slepian on a decades-long journey to help exonerate innocent men wrongfully convicted. The cases of David Lemus, Olmedo Hidalgo, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, Eric Glisson, Richard Rosario, and Johnny Hincapie—all held at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York—reveal a shocking pattern of systemic failings.

This book is, at times, infuriating and heartbreaking, and that’s precisely the reaction it deserves. It provides a raw, eye-opening look into cases riddled with police corruption, coerced testimony, withheld evidence, and an overworked, underfunded defense system. Jurors, impatient to return home, flip votes under pressure, while prosecutors and judges avoid reevaluating cases to preserve the status quo. Even those within the system who try to help often face intimidation, demotions, or job loss, with one officer fearing retaliation so severe that he retired to avoid being framed.

Slepian makes a compelling point: there’s little incentive for those responsible to fix these issues, and rarely are there consequences. To date, none of those involved in the wrongful convictions have faced repercussions. Ironically, those who advocated for justice encountered punitive consequences, including one prosecutor who risked sanctions for siding with the defense, though ultimately he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

While the book powerfully addresses the failings of the justice system, I found it could have improved on two fronts. First, it touches only briefly on how we might better prepare incarcerated individuals for reentry to reduce recidivism. While Slepian shares statistics, he stops short of suggesting solutions, citing the perception that helping prisoners detracts from resources for law-abiding citizens. Additionally, the book misses an opportunity to guide readers in becoming part of the solution. Slepian, almost by accident, uncovered six wrongful convictions within a single prison unit. This raises a crucial question: what does that imply for the countless others wrongfully imprisoned across the country, especially when wrongful convictions disproportionately affect people of color and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds? A resource section with actionable steps would have amplified the book’s impact, empowering readers to help drive change.

The Sing Sing Files is thought-provoking, engaging, and precise—a must-read not only because it’s compelling but because it’s essential for understanding the reality of our justice system.

**Potential Spoiler**

At the time of publication, JJ Velazquez while free from a commutated sentence, was still a convicted killer. I’m thrilled to share that as of September 30, 2024, his conviction has been vacated and the charges dismissed. Overwhelming evidence, much of which Slepian detailed in this book, combined with new DNA testing, finally proved his innocence.

Thank you to #MacmillanAudio & #NetGalley for the ARC/ALC in exchange for my honest review.

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.

Want to get worked up? Rage at our justice system? See where it’s failing, and WHO it’s failing? You definitely need to read this book. Dan Slepian (a Dateline producer) goes over 6 innocent men that were wrongfully imprisoned and that he helped free. I knew our justice system was flawed (and who it generally was flawed toward) but not the whole extent of it. It sickens me, makes me feel pretty powerless (how do you help these people?), but is the fact that this has been getting more and more exposure helping? I think encouraging others to read this book and others like it (my next one is Framed by John Grisham) will at least help spread the awareness.

I also encourage others to visit the innocenceproject.org to learn about other current cases and donate if you’re able to.

THE SING SING FILES by Dan Slepian ~published September 10, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5.

Thanks so much @macmillanaudio and @celadonbooks for the gifted audio copy.

This is a really well done look into how frequently wrongful convictions occur in our criminal justice system, and how hard it is for those wrongfully convicted to obtain freedom. The audio book has the feel of a podcast.

This is such an important issue and one that is close to my heart, having worked on this issue in law school. Over the course of many years, Slepian researched the cases of prisoners incarcerated at Sing Sing prison in New York who claimed that they were innocent and were ultimately exonerated.

The book sheds light on how frequently eyewitness testimony is just not reliable, and on how suspect shopping/trawling – the process by which a witness is shown a large number of possible perps and asked to identify someone in exchange for leniency, food, etc. – has the high potential to lead to inaccurate IDs.

The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
Audio Version
Overall Grade: B+
Narration: B+
Information/Memoir: A-
Writing/Organization: B
Best Aspect: Very upsetting in the way that makes a person what to fight for change.
Worst Aspect: Hard to keep track of who each person is since there are many.
Recommend: Yes.

Wow, just wow. Dan Slepian’s The Sing Sing Files is one of those books that will totally flip the script on how you think about nonfiction. If you’ve ever claimed to be “not into nonfiction,” this one will change your mind—thehe writing is so captivating, cinematic, and passionately crafted, it pulls you in like a novel you can’t put down. And if you’re an audiobook fan, you’re in for a real treat, because the author and the men he writes about narrate it themselves, which takes the emotional impact to a whole new level.

Slepian spent decades uncovering the truth and fighting to free wrongfully convicted men. Decades, y’all. Years of these men’s lives, gone because of mistakes (and let’s be real, corruption plays a role too) that happen way more often than any of us would like to think. The amount of injustice, especially toward those who don’t have the money or privilege to fight back, is infuriating.

The Sing Sing Files takes us through Slepian’s journey, the men’s stories, and the heartbreak of wrongful imprisonment, all while keeping you completely hooked. I couldn’t stop listening while marking up the print version with my highlighter and favorite annotation pen—had to see it through to the end.

Slepian’s storytelling does more than just chronicle the fight for justice—it lays bare the maddening ways the system turns a blind eye to the facts. Some lines really stuck with me, like Bobby’s belief that “facts are king.” But what happens when those facts are ignored? In one section, the cops straight-up excluded Bobby, deciding “We got the right guys,” despite knowing the truth. And don't even get me started on Detective Aiello’s quote, “Sometimes hard work pays off. Sometimes it’s luck.” Yeah, or sometimes it’s straight-up lies and corruption. His take on the Bronx 6? Just—FUCK. YOU.

This book goes beyond exposing the system's injustices; it’s about building something greater. Javier Miranda, one of the wrongfully convicted, said it best: “Rocks in the dirt will remain just that, rocks in the dirt, without a builder...” That quote is a reminder that we can take our frustration and turn it into something powerful—a call to action.

Huge thanks to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

The audiobook version of this book was wonderful. I found the recordings provided by the author to really add to the story, especially when JJ read his own letters. Overall very well done.

Simply put this is an incredibly powerful book that everyone should read. The penal system in our country is greatly flawed and needs reform, this book is definitive proof of that. It’s hard to hear just how long these men served time for crimes they didn’t commit but so important to hear their stories and do better as a country to protect the innocent. The audio, read by the author, is incredibly good so do yourself a favor and listen to this asap!

Thank you to the publisher for sending this alc to me!

It’s hard to say that you enjoyed a book with such a difficult subject matter but it was well written and I flew through it. It’s frustrating and sad but so eye opening. The author also narrated and I can he does both equally well.

Wow, wow, WOW. This is an amazing book. It gave me the urge to want to go out and do something to make things better, even though I have no power to do that. 🤣 It’s a very bittersweet book, and heartbreaking. This is one of, if not the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. The author, Dan, reads it himself but also has some of the inmates read their own letters, there’s sound effects, some music here and there, you can hear a family member crying out of happiness in one of the chapters, it’s so cool and you can tell just how much thought and love Dan put into this book. I really enjoyed this and it has made me ponder how many people are serving time for crimes they did not commit, and it makes me so sad to think there are people who have missed out on their children’s lives, their families lives…just missed out on life in general for something they DID NOT DO. I cannot even imagine how hopeless that would feel. And the system really failed these people big time in this book. I won’t spoil anything but do yourself a favor and read this, or listen to the incredible audiobook!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Celadon Books for the opportunity to enjoy this arc.

Wow. This is another entry in the “must read” category for anyone seeking to learn more about social justice (or injustice) and mass incarceration.

Dan Slepian, NBC Dateline reporter, began talking to one prisoner at New York’s Sing Sing prison about a potential wrongful conviction. Then he was introduced over time to five other convicted felons who said the same thing. From a complete lack of evidence to poor legal representation to a lack of follow up or misleading questioning on the part of police and prosecutors, Slepian uncovers more reasons to question what the US justice system is really doing.

Slepian himself narrates this saga of injustice. The audiobook itself is brilliantly produced with recordings of interviews and recollections from the imprisoned men.

This is such a heartbreaking story and if you’ve read Bryan Stvenson’s Just Mercy, you’ll know what I mean. If you haven’t, be sure to put both of these on your TBR right now!

Most heartbreaking of all, I read this at the time of Marcellus Williams’ execution in Missouri. I still cannot believe a single person with the power to offer a stay did NOTHING to at least hear another side of the story. You will never convince me that anyone should be sentenced to death.

The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian
Audio: read by the author

Dateline producer, Dan Slepian has spent his career fighting for the wrongfully incarcerated. Cases were thrown in his lap that he could not ignore; he promised to search for the truth and not an agenda. This is the (sadly) true crime documentation of that search. It will break your heart, have you on the edge of your seat and give you a cause to fight for because of the inhumane injustice of a system you thought you could trust.

Slepian weaves true stories together in a seamless way that lets us walk through life with him as he patiently, painstakingly befriends those that have been wrongfully (shockingly in most cases!) accused. If you like true crime podcasts, definitely listen to the audio— the production is very similar with bumper music and first person narration.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for this amazing audio book experience and thank you to @beverlyboymama for encouraging this!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC!

Wrongful convictions have been getting a lot more attention as of late, but if there is anything that I've learned from Dan Slepian's in-depth and compelling look at a few salient examples, it's that we still don't pay them nearly enough attention.

Whether you are a true-crime aficionado or not, familiar with these particular cases or not, Slepian makes it very easy to see where the criminal justice system failed these defendants, and certainly many others. His humanistic touch, and the obvious sacrifices he made to investigate these cases, are both admirable and inspiring.

The audiobook is impeccably and emotionally narrated by the author, and the almost conversational style with which he narrates makes it very readable and enjoyable. I loved hearing some of the participants in the various cases tell parts of the stories in their own words and their own voices. The listening experience ends up being almost 'podcast-y', which is definitely not a bad thing, and should make this book a hit among true-crime podcast listeners.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Sing Sing Files, and look forward to checking out more of the author's work.

This book is a really great mix of true crime and investigative journalism - I really think true crime girlies who are interested in the aftermath of when someone gets convicted (particularly when they are actually innocent) will like this one!

Nonfiction is sometimes hard for me to get into but I absolutely did not have that problem with this book! I was engaged the whole time and actually listened to it all in one day because I needed to hear what happened. There were moments that gave me goosebumps and even more moments that made me want to scream at our (in)justice system.

I thought the audio production and narration was great! There were interviews and other recordings throughout the book which I think really added to my experience - I'm really glad I listened to it instead of reading the digital copy I had!

This is a really important book that takes a bite sized look at how wrongful convictions affect individuals and their families. Though only 6 stories were told here, it horrifies me to think about how many exist beyond what are in the pages of this book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.

“Much like water puts out fire, education and opportunity put out crime.”

Deeply impactful. Vitally important.

I immediately found myself invested as Slepian recounted the decades long fight for justice for six wrongfully incarcerated men.

This book is more than mere reporting. This book is a battle cry. These men... never given the presumption of innocence. A justice system steeped in error and corruption. Lives irrevocably changed.

As Dan chronicled each man’s meticulously researched story, I found myself awash with emotion. I raged. I cried. I cheered with relief. And I closed the last page forever changed. This is one of the most affecting books I’ve read this year.

It’s obvious that this was a work of heart for Slepian. The ethics and empathy that guided him as he fought for truth bled through on each page.

Truly, I cannot recommend this book more strongly. It should be required reading for every American.

🎧 Slepian narrated the audiobook, and his years of experience with Dateline shone through in this exceptional execution. It’s a full production that includes snippets of interviews, excerpts read by the then-prisoners, and various other effects/additions. But it was the raw emotion I felt in his narration that made this book so personal and impactful. A stunning listen.

"The Sing Sing Files" gets off to a bit of a slow start but soon becomes an absorbing listen. True crime enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this book. Dan Slepian narrates his two-decade effort to uncover wrongful convictions, enhanced by real archival recordings from Sing Sing prison. The unique audio elements add authenticity and emotional depth to the story.