Get the Facts, Then Decide
Do we really need to kill in order to punish
criminals and protect society?
There is a better way.
BEFORE YOU DECIDE, GET THE FACTS
These are just a few of the issues everyone
should consider before taking a position on the death penalty:
INNOCENCE: The United States Supreme Court ruled in Herrera
V. Collins that it is Constitutional to execute an innocent person,
as long as they had a fair trial. Frightening, isn’t it? We
can’t trust our government to fill potholes. Should we trust them
with the power to kill?
COST: On average, it costs six times as much to kill
one person as it costs to incarcerate that person for life (3.2
million versus $600,000 in Florida). Don’t believe us - ask your
local prosecutor!
RACISM: When the race of the VICTIM is white, the
perpetrator is at least four times more likely to get the death
penalty. 82% of all persons executed since 1977 were convicted of
killing white people, despite the fact that more than 50% of all
victims of violent crime are people of color.
NO DETERRENCE: Even death penalty proponents now
concede that executions do not deter others from committing murder.
In fact, murders committed by people hoping to be caught and
executed are on the increase.
A POLITICIANS TOOL: Politicians claim they are tough on
crime by supporting the death penalty. But what about PREVENTING
violent crime? Over 94% of all criminal justice dollars are spent
after the crime instead of on prevention. It’s time to hold
politicians accountable. Don’t let them hide behind the death
penalty.
PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS ACROSS THE U.S. CONSISTENTLY SHOW: When
offered the option of life without the possibility of parole for at
least 25 years, plus restitution for the victim’s families, support
for the death penalty drops below 50%.
Regardless of what we
think about the concept of the death penalty, in practice it is bad
public policy on moral, economic and social grounds.
Execution is not a real solution. We can do
better. |
