Facts - Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

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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, isnt it? We cant 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). Dont 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. Its time to hold politicians accountable. Dont 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 victims 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.

Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP) works to end the death penalty in the United States through aggressive campaigns of public education and the promotion of tactical grassroots activism. Search Our Site for: