In two short months, 2021 has already seen quite the flurry of activity around death penalty repeal. Virginia repealed their system in full, and there are several others at their heels. This week, Wyoming, Georgia, and Ohio all saw bipartisan bills introduced to repeal their own systems. On top of that, federal legislation has been introduced with 17 sponsors and counting. It’s undeniable the momentum is on our side. And it’s easy to see why. The death penalty is a huge opportunity cost that makes our society less safe. It’s extremely expensive (and not because it takes too long, try again), and it provides no deterrent effect. That means we waste millions on a system that doesn’t improve public safety, instead of spending those resources on intervention programs that actually work, or on solving more crimes – which we’re really bad at. The death penalty wastes resources and makes us less safe while also constantly risking innocent lives. Just recently, 11 more people were added to the exoneration list – making it one person exonerated from death row for every eight executions. Yikes. As states struggle to pay their bills in the wake of go
In her latest article at Newsmax, our National Manager Hannah Cox discusses the growing amount of conservatives sponsoring repeal bills. 2019 is shaping up to be a huge year for repeal with six states and counting currently considering Republican-sponsored bills to repeal the death penalty. You can read the full piece here.
New Hampshire is picking up steam and is well on its way to passing death penalty repeal legislation yet again! This year, they are posed to have the votes for a veto override as well, meaning this could be the year the last state in New England with the death penalty finally says goodbye. There are several upcoming events where local residents can get involved and show their support. February 19th at 9 AM: Vigil in front of State House February 19th at 10 AM: Criminal Justice Hearing in Rep’s Hall February 19th 12:30 PM-1:30 PM (hearing lunch break): Upham Walker House reception with Sr. Helen and Exonerees February 20th at 10 AM: House Criminal Justice Committee Executive Committee on HB 455, LOB 204 February 20th at 12 noon-2 PM: Legislative Lunch in State House Cafeteria – Meet and greet with Sr Helen and Kirk Bloodsworth
