Wow, this audiobook was amazing. I truly think that even people who don't typically like nonfiction would like this. I had so many feelings while reading this. Primarily anger and sadness for the individuals who lost decades of their lives due to wrongful imprisonment. It's infuriating that shoddy and corrupt police work can damage lives like this. The letters read by inmates and the interview clips throughout gave me chills and made the audiobook feel kind of like a documentary. I applaud Dan Slepian for his relentless pursuit of justice for these 6 men.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for my ALC.

The Sing Sing Files is an eye-opening powerful repudiation of the existing criminal justice system. Dan Slepian, a producer for Dateline, received a tip in 2002 from a Bronx homicide detective that two men were servicing life sentences for a murder that there was proof they did not commit. That tip leads Slepian to investigate and make it a mission to free these two men as the evidence against their guilt builds. It also takes him down a two-decade rabbit hole as he learns that these two men are certainly not the only ones unjustly accused and committed to spend their life imprisoned. What is more disturbing is the reluctance and resistance to change that he met and how those responsible for the incorrect accusations dug their heels in and refused to acknowledge they made any mistakes. The book also discusses the consequences to the rest of the family of growing up with an incarcerated parent.

This book made me angry, but it also brought to light my own biases and stereotypes about those accused who are spending their life in prison. It’s easy to ignore or assume that they belong there or are getting their just due. We’ve all been exposed to stories about police misconduct. Unfortunately, the issues are more systemic. I did not realize the extent that prosecutors or DAs would purposefully hide evidence or refuse to accept they made a mistake, even when someone else confessed.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, read by Dan Slepian. It’s a quick listen that feels in some ways like listening to a true crime podcast. It includes letters, read by the six men he helped free, and some others he worked with during the long fight. One complaint is that the author’s voice tended to drop off at the end of sentences, making it difficult to hear.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes true crime podcasts or shows. However, any American should read this book and learn about our truly flawed criminal justice system, the number of wrongful convictions, and the corrupt system overall. While Slepian seems to hold law enforcement in high regard overall, he does talk about those he was working with, particularly the Bronx detective, who were forced out of their positions. It is widely known how police will coerce or offer people incentives to give false confessions or testimony or turn on their own. There have also been many studies proving how eyewitness memory and testimony is fallible and is the leading cause of wrongful convictions. What is not written about is how those who know the convictions are wrong refuse to accept their mistakes and overturn those convictions. Hopefully, this book will change that.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Our justice system is broken. The Sing Sing Files is a book that has been long in the making and author Dan Slepian (NBC Dateline producer and reporter) does an excellent job of detailing the horrific mishandling of justice going as far back as 1990 for some of the “criminals” within our prison system, more specifically at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York.

I used to live in New York and have driven past this prison many times. I had no idea how many innocent individuals were housed behind its walls. It is disgusting and horrifying to hear how much power some people have to completely ruin lives with little to no evidence. Not to mention that the persecuted are almost always people of color.

Dan gives examples of six innocent men serving life sentences behind bars, cases that he uncovered after receiving a tip from a Bronx homicide detective. He launched his own investigation into the case, which led to more and more disturbing cases. I can only imagine what would be exposed were we to have the time and resources to look into every single case in this country.

Even more upsetting, I just realized I am writing this review on the same day that an innocent man in a Missouri prison is set to be executed, despite new evidence and multiple requests to have his conviction repealed.

Ever since reading Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy and Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow, I have had incredibly strong feelings on this topic. This book is another must read for everyone and I highly recommend it. The audiobook was engaging and short in length, with Dan narrating it himself. Please read this and educate yourself to raise awareness on this topic. We must exonerate innocent people from prison and better our justice system!

Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and Dan Slepian for the gifted ARC audiobook recording in exchange for an honest review.

When a book can pull all the emotions out of me, I know it was exceptionally written. This book did just that. Narrated by the author, Dan Slepian, we meet men that have been unjustly incarcerated that Slepian has worked to help. The most talked about man is JJ Velazquez, who was convicted of murdering a NYC police officer, but always proclaimed his innocence. This was a very trying and the most drawn out case that Slepian worked on.

Dan never gave up on JJ's case, even though there were lots of odds stacked against him. I felt sadness, anger, and happiness while listening to this book. Dan did a great job making us feel what he was feeling as different things occurred. I was captivated by this story and the way the author wrote it and narrated it as well. I enjoyed the glimpses Dan gave into his own life while never taking away from the more important story that needed to be told - JJ's.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This very well could be a book everyone should read. I'm sure glad I did. It shines a spotlight on our flawed justice system. Does innocent until proven guilty still exist? Dan Slepian takes us on a 20 year journey that started because a cop told him an innocent man was behind bars. If you aren't familiar with Dan Slepian he's a journalist and producer for Dateline. Like the title says, this is a book about 6 innocent men locked away for crimes they didn't commit. This was a very hard book to listen to at times because I, like Dan and the men he was trying to help, got so angry, frustrated, and just plain sad that this continued to happen. Very few people were giving these convicted men the time of day. Just locked em up and threw away the key mentality. I learned so much about the criminal system by listening. I applaud Dan for realizing a problem existed and working hard for criminal justice reform for over 20 years. I'm really glad these 6 men got their story told via Dateline specials Dan produced, this book or Dan's podcast titled Letters From Sing Sing. Their stories deserve to be told. Not only for their reputations but to educate us all. If you're a fan of true crime documentaries or just want to broaden your knowledge of our criminal and judicial systems I'd highly recommend this one. Dan also did a fabulous job narrating. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian - Strangely enough this book just came to me recently - it seems books about those wrongfully accused and convicted are finding their way to me right and left. This was another fascinating read about several men wrongfully convicted of crimes and the fight to get them out of prison. I am no longer surprised at the lengths the prosecution and judges will go to not have to admit they were wrong in the first place.  

Written and narrated by Dan Slepian the NBC dateline producer who spent years working not only to free these men but to also bring their stories to light despite the efforts of those in power to keep them in prison who would rather have not had their stories brought to light. 

Well investigated this book offered the original audio from interviews that Dan took of the prisoners and others involved in the case. It was an interesting read but I think I'm burned out on these books.  The criminal justice system in the USA is so broken and no one in power seems to be able or willing to fix it. I know saying that I'm burned out seems cruel in light of so many people who are still spending time behind bars despite being innocent. It is my hope that more people will join the fight to free these people and bring stories like this to light.  The more people learn about the miscarriages of justice that continue to happen the more voices will be added to this cause. I will do my part by bringing these books to the attention of others.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Netgalley and Dan Slepian.
Dan Slepian, you are an unsung national treasure and the work you've done is remarkable. I'm the child of a
*not innocent* lifelong criminal. That gave me exposure to so many men in the prison system and am a firm believer in reform, and that there are so many good people that got caught in bad situations - whether they were guilty or innocent of their original convictions.
Highlighting the humanity as Dan does so eloquently and thoroughly is a step towards justice for these men.
I found myself crying and angry and heartbroken so many times while listening to Dan's narration. The relief I felt as Dan's work was successful in freeing these INNOCENT victims of a broken system was palpable.

As a part of the Macmillian Audio Influencer program, I was lucky enough to receive a free audio copy of this book. Thank you, @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024

As someone interested in true crime and appalled by the number of wrongful convictions in this country, I ate this book up! Slepian’s reporting is thorough and is told in a way that is easy to follow while providing just enough information without bombarding the listener. I was shocked and horrified at the stories of the six innocent men who were wrongfully convicted and were serving time in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. It blows my mind how some of these men were charged with crimes… I mean, if it’s not possible to commit a crime in NY when you’re physically in FL, how can you be found guilty? Our criminal justice system really needs some help.

The audio production quality of this book was excellent. I loved that it was read by the author and is a voice familiar to many of us who have watched him reporting on NBC. The fact that it included other peoples real voices (in the form of reading letters they wrote, 911 calls, etc) really held my interest. The transitional music was appropriate and well done. At times it felt like I was listening to a really good podcast instead of a book, and I loved it.

The Sing Sing Files was a very interesting story. Dan works for NBC and specifically Dateline, so he had access and a vehicle to tell the stories. Dan approaches the idea of wrongful convictions in the same way a lot of people do-The system wouldn't get it THAT wrong. It has failsafes to protect people. He learns that for some, that system was broken.

He focuses on 6 men he encountered, but I think the biggest focus was on JJ Velasquez. These 6 cases were pretty obvious miscarriages of justice, but I think the bigger take away was how hard people worked to KEEP these innocent men in prison. Cops and lawyers refused to face evidence they were wrong. These are the kinds of cases that should infuriate people-when there is CLEAR evidence of innocence (not just possible evidence or alibi) or clear evidence of prosecutorial misconduct-and nothing is done.

If you are a fan of books like Just Mercy, The Sing Sing Files is a must listen. I really enjoyed the audiobook! Slepian narrates well. Apparently, there is also a podcast, if you want to check out more of the story.

I listened to this in just two days. Dan Slepian wrote a compelling and totally engrossing story of a series of men who landed in prison for crimes they did not commit, due to sloppy investigations, disregard of significant exculpatory evidence and more. JJ, who became Slepian's friend eventually, despite his best efforts over many years to maintain his journalistic objectivity while producing stories for Nightline that sometimes included these stories when his superiors found them sufficiently compelling. Many of us, including me, struggle with how criminal justice and laws that limit reintegration into society after serving time for various kinds of crimes should be changed. Slepian deftly humanizes not only his actually innocent subjects, but also those serving time for crimes they committed. It is a complex subject. How do you address employment, housing and education for people convicted of serious crimes or with a long record of convictions? Slepian makes use think about this, although he does not directly address it. He poses the issues, he makes it very clear that 20 years in jail and counting for JJ was Slepian's daughter's whole life and then some. He follows J'J's sons and his mother. But JJ is just one of several stories told and there are people who had an easier time with the courts, albeit only one felt magically fast.

The fate of innocent people and the discovery of potential perpetrators today is influenced by DNA. In the Sing Sing Files, DNA played no role. Convictions often relied solely on alleged eye witnesses picking someone from a photo array or lineup. One involves a teenager whose confession was coerced. We hear the voices of these men through Slepian and sometimes in person. He has done valuable, moral work for them. Highly recommend this book.

This felt like a podcast but better. I listened to it and it was narrated by the author Dan Slepian. He did a great job and I felt like I was there.
I’m a huge fan of Dateline and he’s one of the producers of the show. This was about a two-decade journey about our broken criminal justice system and how he didn’t give up to help free six innocent men.
It gave me chills and I had a few tearful moments. If you love true crime and dateline then I think you’ll love this audiobook.
I highly recommend it.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.

4 stars

This is a well-paced, infuriating listen, which won't surprise most dialed in readers, but it will still ignite some rage.

The author is a _Dateline_ producer, and some of the most interesting elements of this piece include how his views and experiences evolve over the many, many years covered here. The impetus for Slepian's work is a tip he receives from a cop (over 20 years ago) that two individuals are serving lengthy sentences at the titular prison for crimes they definitely did not commit. Slepian then begins an odyssey spanning multiple decades and far more than just these two wrongly convicted individuals to uncover a shocking array of ways in which our society participates in miscarriages of justice.

Some of the most compelling moments in the audiobook are when readers hear recordings of wrongly convicted individuals and their family members communicating their experiences and feelings. On the other hand, some of the cringiest moments - and I cannot imagine who allowed this to happen - are when Slepian reads some of these statements in the clearly affected dialect of the original writers. This gave me major ick more than once, and it was totally avoidable.

Overall, I found this fascinating and extremely troubling. I don't want to say I enjoyed it because it was largely just devastating. That noted, there are still glimmers of hope here not only in some of the outcomes but also in the fact that folks like Slepian are doing the work to bring these injustices to the masses and to help right these grievous wrongs.

This was an amazing and very eye-opening read - it is little wonder why so many have a deep distrust of the justice system, from the police all the way up to the top , and this book just opens that reasoning wide-open and leaves the reader just gobsmacked. This [justified] distrust and the miscarriage of justice discussed in this book is sickening and I spent much of it either supremely pissed off or bawling my head off, sometimes both at the same time [ugly angry crying is always such a good time. N O T]. What was done to these men [and many before them and I am sure many that are still fighting for the truth and their freedom] is criminal within itself and I really struggle with the idea that no one is ever really held accountable for the lives that they ruined in incarcerating these men with little to no evidence.

The author, Dan Slepian, is nothing short of an amazing human being and he deserves any accolades that he receives [his acknowledgments at the end really show just how grateful and humbled he has been by this whole experience and just how much it is still affecting him and how he continues to work with and for these men and others]; I admire him and his tenacity and unwillingness to give up on these men and their walk through a justice system that is against them and their continued walk to freedom and beyond.

This is a story that will shake you to your very core and will make you look at life completely differently and will leave you wondering just what you would do in this situation and what you can do to make a difference in this crazy world we live in. It is a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to anyone. This is truly a must-read book.

The author also narrates this book and does an excellent job - you can hear the real emotion in his voice and he tells [and relives] the stories of these men and their pursuit of true justice and that really adds to the story. The use of sound clips and of several of them men reading the letters they wrote to Mr. Slepian was also a fantastic addition and brought real depth and emotion to an already emotional story and it brought me to tears over and over again. Listening to this audiobook was the best way for me to experience this amazing book and if you are looking for a real emotional connection to the story, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as well. Very well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dan Slepian, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Dan Slepian’s "The Sing Sing Files" offers a powerful and emotional exploration of the serious flaws in the criminal justice system, with a focus on the heartbreaking issue of wrongful convictions. After receiving a tip from a detective about two innocent men in prison, Slepian embarks on a years-long investigation. Along the way, he uncovers not only their wrongful imprisonment but also four other cases of innocent men who were also unjustly jailed. Despite resistance from law enforcement, Slepian remains determined and ultimately secures their freedom.

This audiobook doesn’t just tell individual stories—it reveals a much larger problem. Some detectives and attorneys seem more concerned with closing cases quickly than seeking justice. This creates a sense of frustration and anger as the system’s deep flaws are laid bare. Slepian highlights the serious damage caused by poor investigations and systemic failures, urging readers to think about the real-world impact of these issues.

For anyone interested in criminal law, true crime, or the broader issues in our justice system, this audiobook is a must-listen. It uncovers the long and painful process of freeing innocent people while emphasizing the urgent need for reform. The emotional weight of these wrongful convictions is unmistakable, making it even more important to prevent such tragic mistakes in the future.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy of the audiobook.

My blood pressure was not prepared to listen to The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian. As a narrator, Dan brought authenticity and heart to the audio. Having each man read his letters and using audios recorded during the investigations made my heart crack over and over again. Our justice system desperately needs to be reformed and I thought The Sing Sing Files made a compelling case against the status quo. All the stars, this should be compulsory reading.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.

An absolute must listen. The audiobook production was fantastic and this is such a powerful and important read. I think it prompts discourse and personal self reflections. Definitely for fans of Just Mercy. A fantastic listen:

Thank you for the ARC. I listened to the audio and appreciated that they included prisoner's voices in correspondence. The book is well researched and illuminates some of the most tragic results of the US judicial system. This book is only one example of why we need prison reform.

The author did a lot of research and offered non-bias observations. His commitment to uncovering the truth is admirable.

I loved this book. The author read it himself, which I think makes it more interesting. I love true crime so this book was a treat. You got a couple stories that read almost like one of those true crime podcasts. The book follows a few cases of wrongful conviction. You get to see just how this can happen to anyone under various circumstances. The book details just how hard and how long it takes to right the wrongs. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes true crime.

The Sing Sing Files is not my typical genre but after seeing so many 5⭐ reviews for both the book and the audiobook I couldn't resist listening to it and it was really eye-opening. At first its style seems reminiscent of NBC's Dateline and other crime shows as it tells the true story of Dan Slepian, a Dateline producer who spent 20 years fighting for the freedom of 6 men who were wrongfully imprisoned. But the book goes much deeper into the lives and personalities of each of the men, whose stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. By the end of the book I was in tears and really felt for these men, their strength and fortitude under extreme duress was incredible, and I was equally shocked at how horribly the American justice system failed them. Everyone who works in law enforcement should read this book!
The audiobook is read by the author and has excerpts read by some of the other men in the story, sound effects recorded in Sing Sing prison and other features that really bring their stories to life.