Unconstitutional – an update from CCATDP

The latest sign that the death penalty is falling out of favor comes from Delaware, where earlier this month, the State Supreme Court struck down Delaware’s capital punishment statute as unconstitutional. The Court found that judges rather than juries wielded far too much power in determining who received a death sentence. The Delaware Attorney General… Continue reading Unconstitutional – an update from CCATDP

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

Recommended this week

“Recommended this week” features highlights from the past week in news about the death penalty, crime survivors, and trauma-informed responses to crime. Evangelical Leaders Call for Halt to Texas Execution Demand New Sentencing Hearing for Jeff Wood, The Gospel Herald Evangelical Leaders Call for Halt to Texas Execution, Evangelicals for Social Action Evangelicals urge halt to Texas execution, Baptist News Global… Continue reading Recommended this week

He didn’t kill anyone, but TX is about to execute him

Texas is scheduled to execute Jeff Wood on August 24, 2016, even though he never killed anyone, had no previous criminal history, and suffers from borderline intellectual functioning and mental illness. Although Wood was involved in a robbery, he didn’t plan to kill anyone and wasn’t even inside the gas station when the victim, Kris… Continue reading He didn’t kill anyone, but TX is about to execute him

Recommended: From Heartbreak to Healing – the Journey of Crime Survivors

The Public Welfare Foundation features EJUSA’s vision for a justice system that heals in its new publication, “From Heartbreak to Healing – the Journey of Crime Survivors.” “We believe the justice system needs to serve all the constituencies impacted by crime: survivors, those who commit crimes, and communities. That means providing healing for survivors, accountability… Continue reading Recommended: From Heartbreak to Healing – the Journey of Crime Survivors

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