“Since most law-abiding citizens had no contact with the parole system, it was not a priority with the state legislatures. And since most of the state's prisoners were either poor or black, and unable to use the system to their advantage, it was easy to hit them with harsh sentences and keep them locked up. But for an inmate with a few connections and some cash, the parole system was a marvelous labyrinth of contradictory laws that allowed the Parole Board to pass out favors.”

American writer, lawyer, and former politician

John Grisham is an American writer, lawyer, and former politician, known for his legal thrillers. He has built a long career around courtroom fiction and commercial bestsellers. His books have sold widely around the world, and the American Academy of Achievement says he wrote 37 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers. He is also among the small group of English-language authors said to have sold two million copies in a first printing, alongside Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling.