The nation’s eyes were on Arkansas as it executed four people in 10 days in April, including holding the nation’s first double execution in almost two decades. The schedule drew national outrage, including 250,000 petition signatures delivered to the governor, intervention by victims’ family members, and celebrity involvement. Much of the attention has been on… Continue reading Arkansas’ execution spree highlights fallacy of our nation’s approach to violence.
Tag: Public Safety
Sub-issue
Black lawmakers call for repeal of death penalty
African American State Legislators Cite Disproportionate Sentencing The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has passed its first-ever resolution supporting repeal of the death penalty in the United States. The historic vote took place during the NBCSL 40th Annual Legislative Conference in New Orleans, LA. It is an escalation of the organization’s previous call for… Continue reading Black lawmakers call for repeal of death penalty
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
An interview with the director of EJUSA’s Trauma Advocacy Initiative
Last month, we introduced you to the expansion of our work to build a better justice system, including two new staff. I had the opportunity to sit down with one of them, Fatimah Loren Muhammad, and learn about her first few weeks, what a “trauma-informed” justice system means, and her vision for this first year.… Continue reading An interview with the director of EJUSA’s Trauma Advocacy Initiative
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
Texas carries out 500th execution amid questions of fairness
On June 26th, Kimberly McCarthy became the 500th person to be executed in Texas since the state resumed the death penalty in 1982. McCarthy’s execution proceeded despite claims that racial bias played a role in the conviction and death sentence. McCarthy, an African American convicted of killing her neighbor Dorothy Booth, faced a nearly all… Continue reading Texas carries out 500th execution amid questions of fairness
Californians Changing Their Minds on the DP / Interactive Map of the DP Worldwide
Donald A. McCartin was known as the “hanging judge” because of his record of sentencing nearly a dozen men to death in Orange County, California. But now he’s changed his mind and thinks California should get rid of the death penalty entirely. Find out why in this amazing op-ed in the LA Times. When Gil… Continue reading Californians Changing Their Minds on the DP / Interactive Map of the DP Worldwide
An Overwhelming Testimony to Repeal
New Hampshire’s death penalty study commission, which started its investigation in October 2009, just concluded its final hearing. The Commission has heard from over a hundred witnesses on issues such as innocence, fairness, public safety, and alternatives. The review has been a showcase of the death penalty’s litany of problems. Ray Krone and Juan Melendez… Continue reading An Overwhelming Testimony to Repeal
Deterrance Argument Disproved – Again
“There may be other reasons to support the death penalty, but the belief that it deters murder should not be one of them,” said Tomislav Kovandzic a University of Texas (UT) criminologist who testified at the most recent hearing of the New Hampshire Commission to Study the Death Penalty. Kovandzic’s UT study found no support… Continue reading Deterrance Argument Disproved – Again