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"It
is clear that for these purposes to be achieved, the
nature and the extent of punishment must be carefully
evaluated and decided upon and ought not to go to the
extreme of executing the offender except in cases of
absolute necessity: in other words when it would not
be possible otherwise to defend society. Today, however,
as a result of steady improvements in the organization
of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not
practically nonexistent."
The
Gospel of Life- John Paul II
March 25, 1995
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Capital
Punishment
Our
advanced penal system is capable of isolating the most dangerous
amongst us for the protection of society. However, in 1976,
the US Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment could again
be used. Since that time, the United States has become the
only western developed democracy to execute its prisoners.
Throughout
the 1990’s, approximately 9000 individuals annually were
convicted of criminal homicide. Only about 300 were actually
issued death sentences. Approximately 50 people are executed
each year in the United States. (Peace Network, American Friends
Service Committee April 1999).
In
1995, Governor George Pataki signed legislation into law that
reenacted capital punishment in NYS. There are currently six
individuals on death row in New York State.
Since
1995, there have been 3 capital trials in Monroe County. Two
cases ended in sentences of life imprisonment; 1 person was
sentenced to death.
- Studies
indicate that capital punishment does not act as deterrent
to capital crime. States with capital punishment do not have
lower crime rates than state without it.
- The
poor and people of color are disproportionately sentenced
to death, in part, because they lack the kind of legal defense
accorded defendants with greater financial resources.
- The
convictions of a significant number of those sent to death
row have been overturned because of inadequate defense, further
evidence or the use of DNA testing.
- The
financial costs to the state are greater in cases of a death
sentence than when criminals are sentenced to life without
parole.
- Public
support for the death penalty diminishes drastically when
those polled are given the alternative of life sentences
without parole.
(All
bulleted items are taken from Choose Life! The Roundtable
Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors, 2000)
Catholics
Against Capital Punishment
(301)
652-1125
P.O.
Box 5706, Bethesda, MD 20824
Judicial
Process Commission (585) 325-7727
121
N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614
Moratorium
Campaign (504)
864-1071
P.O.
Box 13727, New Orleans, LA 70185
New
Yorkers Against the Death Penalty
(888)
224-6579
40
North Avenue, Albany, New York 12203
Jann
Armantrout (585) 328-3210 x304
Life
Issues Coordinator, Diocese of Rochester
US
Catholic Bishops
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