The Nebraska Legislature has voted overwhelmingly – 30-13! – to repeal the death penalty. So why aren’t we celebrating yet? While the support for repeal in Nebraska is thrilling, the process is rather long and complicated, and there is still much work to be done. We’ve put together this (fairly wonky) primer to help you… Continue reading Your guide to the Nebraska death penalty debate
Category: Ready for launch
Repeal moves forward in Nebraska
We expected debate to go on much longer, but the writing was on the wall. All eyes are on Nebraska, but the fight isn’t over. This vote is Round One. There is another round of debate and two more votes that we have to win before the bill goes to the Governor’s desk. And if… Continue reading Repeal moves forward in Nebraska
Conservatives rally for death penalty repeal in Nebraska
by Sarah Craft, EJUSA, and Sarah Barrett, Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NADP) In a press conference at the Capitol this morning, members of Nebraska Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (NE-CCATDP) called on lawmakers to support repeal. Seven state senators along with other Nebraska conservatives shared how the death penalty conflicts with… Continue reading Conservatives rally for death penalty repeal in Nebraska
Pope gives unequivocal message: death penalty is unacceptable
In one of his strongest statements against the death penalty to date, Pope Francis said that capital punishment “is inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed.” The Pope’s comments were submitted in a forceful call to the International Commission against the Death Penalty in Madrid. The Pope added that the death penalty “contradicts God’s… Continue reading Pope gives unequivocal message: death penalty is unacceptable
Kansas conservatives call for repeal of the death penalty
On March 17, a group of Kansas conservative leaders gathered in Topeka to declare their support for repeal of the death penalty. Their case is straightforward: the death penalty is at odds with core conservative values – a commitment to fiscal responsibility, limited government, and valuing life. The group presented an open letter signed by… Continue reading Kansas conservatives call for repeal of the death penalty
BREAKING: Repeal moves forward in Nebraska!
It’s a big day in Nebraska: a key committee voted unanimously for death penalty repeal! The sponsor of the bill, Senator Ernie Chambers told the Lincoln Journal Star that this was “as good a chance to get it passed as there has ever been.” Nebraskans from all over the state descended on the capital last… Continue reading BREAKING: Repeal moves forward in Nebraska!
Conservative outcry over Texas execution is unprecedented – *Updated*
We will be updating our Twitter feed and this post with more information as it comes in. *Update – 12/4/2014, 1:56pm ET* Here is the statement from Panetti’s attorneys at the Texas Defender Service. It includes a thorough background on the case. *Update – 12/4/2014, 12:01pm ET* The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued… Continue reading Conservative outcry over Texas execution is unprecedented – *Updated*
Reforming the Justice System in the Lone Star State
Texas’ reputation as a lock-em-up state is losing steam. Over the last several years, Texas has closed three adult corrections facilities, reduced probation term lengths, improved funding for substance abuse treatment and other alternatives to incarceration, and helped people returning from prison to rebuild their lives. State policy-makers have also rejected various bills that would… Continue reading Reforming the Justice System in the Lone Star State
New report calls for a new paradigm for addressing safety, crime, and victimization
A new report, Bridging the Divide: A new paradigm for addressing safety, crime, and victimization, was released today calling for a different approach to addressing crime. The report says that many of the communities that are currently hurt by a prevalence of crime and violence are also being damaged by the criminal justice system’s response… Continue reading New report calls for a new paradigm for addressing safety, crime, and victimization
Another death row exoneration
In a North Carolina Courtroom on Tuesday, a judge overturned the death sentence and conviction of the state’s longest serving death row inmate. Henry McCollum walked free after DNA evidence linked the crime to another person. He had been on death row for over three decades – since he was 19 years old. McCollum’s brother,… Continue reading Another death row exoneration