Religious leaders call for suspension of the death penalty in Duval County, FL

More than 20 Duval County, Florida, religious leaders participated in an EJUSA press conference in front of the County Courthouse today. They gathered in reaction to a report from the Fair Punishment Project branding Duval County an “outlier” in its overuse of the death penalty. Clergy released a letter to the State Attorney’s Office signed… Continue reading Religious leaders call for suspension of the death penalty in Duval County, FL

Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence and Criminal Justice: An Interview with New Jersey Asst. Attorney General Wanda Moore

Recently I spoke to Wanda Moore, an Assistant Attorney General in New Jersey and the Director of the Office of Community Justice, about her work to reduce trauma and violence through positive youth development programs, community-based crime prevention strategies, and system wide change. Ms. Moore leads cutting-edge, place-based solutions work in several cities in New… Continue reading Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence and Criminal Justice: An Interview with New Jersey Asst. Attorney General Wanda Moore

The crippling costs of Nebraska’s death penalty

A study of the cost of Nebraska’s death penalty concluded that the state could save $14.6 million per year if Nebraskans vote to end the death penalty in November. Dr. Ernie Goss, professor of economics at Creighton University, said he was surprised when his study revealed how expensive the death penalty is compared to its alternatives.”If… Continue reading The crippling costs of Nebraska’s death penalty

National survey reveals victims’ views on criminal justice priorities

There is an assumption that justice means punishment for someone who has done something wrong: a crime happens, law enforcement finds out who did it, the courts hand down a sentence, and the crime victim is healed. But we know from our work with crime survivors over the last decade that the reality is much… Continue reading National survey reveals victims’ views on criminal justice priorities

The death penalty’s role in racial oppression

Race has played a disturbing role in the death penalty’s application throughout its long history in the United States. During slavery, this discrimination was explicitly written in many states’ laws. Blacks and slaves faced the death penalty in cases where the same crime committed by a white person would not even be eligible for death.… Continue reading The death penalty’s role in racial oppression

Evangelical leaders call upon Texas to stop scheduled execution

Almost 50 Evangelical leaders from Texas and around the country called upon state officials to stop the execution of Jeff Wood. In a letter released Monday, the religious leaders urged Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Paroles and Pardons to grant Wood a new sentencing hearing, saying he “never should have been sentenced… Continue reading Evangelical leaders call upon Texas to stop scheduled execution

Another state ends the death penalty

Yesterday, Delaware’s death penalty was ruled unconstitutional! “Delaware’s death penalty is gone,” said EJUSA’s Executive Director Shari Silberstein. “It’s only a matter of time before the whole house of cards that is the death penalty in the United States comes crashing down.” Delaware joins the growing number of states that have abandoned the death penalty… Continue reading Another state ends the death penalty

Building the movement to disrupt the cycle of violence

Shortly after last month’s tragic mass shooting in Orlando, the American Medical Association declared gun violence a public health issue. EJUSA believes that this powerful frame applies to all violence. Public health models prioritize prevention, harm reduction, as well as trauma treatment. By completely changing the narrative on violence, its causes, and its solutions, we… Continue reading Building the movement to disrupt the cycle of violence

State courts wrestle with U.S. Supreme Court death penalty rulings. Now up: Delaware!

On June 16, 2016, the Delaware Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Rauf v State, a case that will decide the future of Delaware’s death penalty. This case is the latest ripple effect from the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hurst v Florida ruling earlier this year, which struck down Florida’s death penalty and impacts other states,… Continue reading State courts wrestle with U.S. Supreme Court death penalty rulings. Now up: Delaware!