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2017 End of Year Update on the Death Penalty

As 2017 comes to an end and we get ready to begin a new year, here is a quick recap of all that happened with the death penalty this last year.

A Historic Low Level of Public Support: Public support for the death penalty has fallen to a 45 year low according to an October 2017 Gallup Poll. In a nationwide survey of 1,028 adults polled October 5-11, 2017, 55% of Americans said they are "in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder," (while 41% of Americans oppose the death penalty) down from a reported 60% in October 2016.  

An Overarching Level of Decline: In 2017, executions (23) and death sentences (39) were both the second lowest in a quarter century. Even though executions in the US in 2017 will surpass the 20 of 2016 (there were a total of 23 in 2017), the analysis shows that the average number of executions in the United States over the past 3, 5, and 10 years will drop by 8.4%, 9.1%, and 3.6%, respectively. The death penalty is coming to an end!

Problems with Executions: 2017 has witnessed several difficult issues with carrying out an execution.  Alva Campbell Jr. in Ohio.l suffers from a severe health condition that makes finding a suitable vein for injection extremely difficult. In November 2017, after over two hours of medical personnel trying to find a suitable vein, Campbell's execution was called off.  Additionally, issues with the source of lethal injection drugs, as well as questions surrounding severe mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and legal counsel in several executions brought to light that the death penalty is a broken system which is cruel and unnecessary.

Exonerations: In 2017 here were 4 exonerations throughout the course of the year, making the total number 160 people who have been exonerated from death row since 1973.  

Stays of Execution: CMN supporters made a big impact this last year. Through CMN’s Mercy in Action, over 13,000 letters, countless tweets, phone calls, and prayers were completed in the name of life. Overall, CMN helped to contribute to the stays of execution for over 20 individuals in 2017.

Want to take action to stop the scheduled executions in 2018? Join CMN's Mercy in Action Project and receive updates and tools to advocate for life! 

As this year comes to an end, we celebrate the turning tide of national opinion against the support for the death penalty.  We give thanks for the lives spared due to exonerations and stays of executions. We also recognize that the death penalty is still a reality for much of the country. There is lots of work to be done, but the advocacy efforts from CMN supporters give us hope that the momentum in this movement to end the death penalty is just gaining steam! This next year we will continue the fight to end the death penalty and promote the use of restorative justice. We hope you join us! 

 

Issue: 
Death Penalty

Films Reflect upon Harm and Humanity within the Death Penalty

CMN's Associate Director of Community Engagement, Emma Tacke, reflects on two powerful documentary screenings she attended this month, "Both of these films effectively use the vehicle of personal stories to narrate the moral questions and high-stake consequences the death penalty forces us to consider." More

End New Hampshire's Death Penalty

Your voice is critical! On April 17th, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted to repeal the death penalty by a 2 to 1 majority. Death penalty repeal bill, SB593 is expected to go to the House floor Thursday, April 26th for a final vote. Now is the time to tell your legislators that New Hampshire deserves better than the death penalty! More

Progress to End the Death Penalty: 2018 Legislative Update

2018 is off to a promising start for efforts to end the use of the death penalty! Numerous state houses are considering legislation to either repeal or limit the use of the death penalty, and several others are gearing up for active legislative sessions.  More

Iowa Catholic Bishops Oppose Reinstatement of the Death Penalty

 The four bishops of Iowa spoke out Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018 to oppose the death penalty. This statement arrives amid a flurry of legislative action in the Iowa Senate and House that would bring back the state's death penalty, which was abolished in 1965. The bishops - Dubuque Archbishop Michael Jackels, Davenport Bishop Thomas Zinkula, Sioux City Bishop R. Walker Nickless and Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates - issued the following statement through the Iowa Catholic Conference.   More

End the Death Penalty in Washington State

Death penalty repeal is on the horizon for Washington state! Since 2014, Washington has been in a Governor imposed moratorium, and there have been calls from the Governor and Attorney General to pass repeal legislation. This month two bills were filed in the House and Senate calling for an end to Washington’s death penalty. More

Take Action

Compromiso Nacional Católico para abolir la pena de muerte

“Todos los cristianos y hombres de buena voluntad están llamadas hoy a trabajar no sólo por la abolición de la pena de muerte, sino también para mejorar las condiciones de las cárceles, en el respeto de la dignidad humana de las personas privadas de libertad.” - Papa Francisco

Learn more
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