The last few days have been a bit of whirlwind for Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a whirlwind for which activists in the death penalty and mass incarceration movements will surely reap the benefits. Stevenson’s book Just Mercy was released on Tuesday, October 21 to good reviews such as this one in the New York Times. This coming just a few days after the Times covered Stevenson’s EJI work, referencing Desmond Tutu’s appraisal of Stevenson as “America’s young Nelson Mandela.” But perhaps Stevenson’s appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart brought the most attention to the critical issues within the movement right now, given the show’s millions of nightly viewers.

Bryan Stevenson’s work is emblematic of the daily fight those within the death penalty abolition movement pursue, as well as those who take up other causes. As Stevenson uses his platform to draw more attention to these issues, we are reminded to do the same, particularly during election season. Who will speak up for the poor and disenfranchised, the imprisoned and those to be executed? We urge you to get involved, particularly as ten men are scheduled to die in Tennessee.

Photo source: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/10/bryan_stevenson_huntsville_ims.html

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On Sunday, the Tennessean endorsed Governor Bill Haslam for a second term, citing his leadership on issues ranging from higher education, Tennessee’s economy, and a tough response to domestic violence. Additionally, Haslam was lauded for displaying leadership to temper the more extreme factions of his party. All of this led the editorial staff to conclude that the governor deserved a second term.

However, the paper thought there was room for improvement as well, specifically naming capital punishment as one area that required more leadership from Haslam. They challenged Haslam’s long-stated stance that the “will of the people” is sufficient reason to back off of personal convictions. “As governor, we believe he should be the voice of reason,” the Tennessean stated, “balancing compassion with law and order.” The paper’s endorsement comes on the same day that death row inmate Olen Hutchison died of natural causes while awaiting a May 2015 execution date. Although Hutchison was not even present during the murder for which he faced execution, he was circumstantially implicated by co-defendants who obtained reduced sentences for their testimony. Former Chief Justice Reid of the Tennessee Supreme Court decried the death penalty for Hutchison and the District Attorney General who prosecuted the case concedes there is room for honest doubt as to whether death was ever the appropriate punishment.

The Tennessean is right that a second term gives the Governor another opportunity to conduct a serious review of the state’s failing death penalty.  As more Tennesseans understand just how flawed this system is, the “will of the people” is shifting. If the death penalty is, in fact, a system that metes out arbitrary sentences and subsequent punishments costing taxpayers millions without making us safer, then Governor Haslam must exercise his authority, reason, and compassion to speak honestly and lead the people of Tennessee to understand just how flawed the policy is. This is what a leader does.

Photo source: http://www.tn.gov/governor/about.shtml

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Last night I visited First United Methodist Church of Murfreesboro to serve as the guest speaker for the last class of an eight- week series on the death penalty.  And, as in most discussions about the death penalty, participants invariably tried to put themselves in the shoes of those who have lost loved ones to murder. They wondered how they would feel, react, respond to such a horrific event.  Most really couldn’t fathom such a reality, never mind imagine what they might need in terms of emotional, spiritual, financial, and community support. None of us ever wants to be in a position to know how we might respond, what we might need. It is just too devastating to think about.

Still, for far too many people, the issue is not theoretical but all too real. They are living in the wake of violent crime with all its ripple effects. A report just released from the Department of Justice determined that nearly 70% of people suffer severe social or emotional problems after being the victim of a violent crime, but only about 12% of those individuals receive help from victim services. Just over half of victims who suffer from such problems report the crime to the police.

This is unacceptable.  Though I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers in how to reach all these hurting people, I am convinced that the pursuit of the death penalty only shifts attention and resources away from the needs of the surviving families and instead focuses our energy and resources on the perpetrator, often for decades in pursuit of the death penalty before the sentence is carried out, if ever. What would it be like if instead, we relied on alternatives sentences that provided legal finality to surviving families much quicker while focusing our resources and attention on how to best meet their needs long-term and  to get help for all those impacted by violent crime.

If this was our course of action, we would actually serve to heal and restore lives and communities, not only helping those most impacted by the violence but also helping to reduce possible future violence by the walking wounded whose needs for healing were never met. Some of these very wounded individuals will end up in our jails and prisons only after more damage has been done.

The state of Maryland recently took part of the savings from repeal of the death penalty and allocated it to assist surviving family members of murder. This is a positive first step in identifying the needs of victims’ families and getting them the help that they need. Though Tennessee has wonderful advocates working on behalf of crime victims everyday, imagine how much more these advocates could do with greater resources and support. With more budget cuts looming in out state, Tennesseans must decide what is most important to us, what we most value, and what is best for our communities. This report gives us all something to think about.

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