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The Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty (CNADP) has been working to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut since 1986. We stand strongly opposed to the death penalty as it is poor public policy. The death penalty does not deter crime, it is not cost efficient, it kills the mentally ill, it is economically and racially biased, it kills the innocent, and it does not provide closure to families - it is simply revenge, not justice.
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Meet With Us in West Hartford The CNADP holds regional monthly meetings in West Hartford, on the second Tuesday of each month, which will begin again in the fall. Meetings start at 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome. Get Directions... |
Upcoming Events June 28 - July 2: Starvin' for Justice 2009 June 29: Anniversary of Furman vs. Georgia, 1972, capital punishment struck down by the United States Supreme Court. September 15: CNADP Annual Business Meeting |
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Thank You Everyone for a Terrific Campaign!
To everyone who wrote, emailed, and called your elected officials urging them to repeal the death penalty, thank you! Because of your action, we had amazing success this past legislative session and far exceeded everyone's expectations. Many predicted that we could not even pass a repeal bill through the Judiciary Committee. Not only did it pass the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 24-13, but then it passed the House by a historic margin of 90-56 and the Senate by a vote of 19-17. Though Gov. Rell's veto was disappointing, we can be assured that abolition in the state of Connecticut is not far off! |
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Letter from Victims' Families to Governor Rell on Death Penalty Repeal Bill
At a May 22 press conference, a group of victims’ families supporting death penalty repeal asked Governor Jodi Rell to meet with them before deciding whether to sign or veto abolition bill HB-6578. They reiterated their call to meet with the Governor in this May 29 letter sent to her office. |
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5/28/09: Religious Leaders Call on Governor Rell to Make Repeal Bill Law
The Connecticut delegation of Catholic Bishops and the Conference Minister for the United Church of Christ, Davida Foy Crabtree, both released letters urging Governor Rell to support abolition of Connecticut's death penalty. The Bishops wrote that death penalty repeal "better serves society and, at the same time, punishes the criminal, shortens the sentencing process by eliminating endless appeals, and shows a profound respect for human life." Rev. Crabtree asked the Governor to sign the repeal "legislation and restore our moral compass." Read the letter from the Bishops. Read the letter from Rev. Crabtree. |
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PRESS RELEASE, 5/28/09: Quinnipiac Poll Shows Misconceptions about Cost of Death Penalty
In a Quinnipiac poll released this morning, almost a quarter of death penalty supporters in Connecticut cited the financial burden of housing a prisoner for life as their reason for support. This result suggests that support for the death penalty is superficial among a considerable portion of the population. In reality, the death penalty costs Connecticut significantly more than life in prison without release. According to the Office of Fiscal Analysis, taxpayers in Connecticut pay $4 million annually to maintain the death penalty, despite the fact that the state rarely executes anyone. If Connecticut voters are concerned about costs in the death penalty debate, as this poll implies, then the real message to Governor Rell may be to sign the repeal bill. Read Full Press Release here. |
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Write Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue and ask him to commute Troy Davis's sentence
Troy Davis suffered a major setback this past April when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied his appeal for a new trial. Davis was sentenced to death for the 1989 death of Mark MacPhail, but there are serious problems in his case. No physical evidence connects him to the crime, and seven out of nine eyewitnesses have recanted their testimony against him, with some alleging police coercion. Now the state of Georgia can set an execution date at any time. Please take a moment to write Governor Perdue and ask him to show leadership by stopping a potentially innocent man from being executed. For more information, visit Amnesty International. |
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Crossroads Magazine Covers CNADP Event with Sister Helen Prejean
The Catholic news program Crossroads Magazine dedicated the opening segment of its April 25th broadcast to the CNADP's April 18th event, Speakin' Out on the Death Penalty with Sister Helen Prejean. To watch the video, please click here. |
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Starvin' for Justice 2009, June 28 - July 2
The four-day Fast & Vigil takes place on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a great experience and training ground for people who want to practice, or become very adept, at talking about the death penalty. Tens of thousands of tourists, from all over the U.S. and throughout the world, pass by our vigil and table, so the opportunity for dialogue and discussion at a real grass-roots level is invaluable to the movement. In addition to the strong public witness, this is an excellent opportunity to meet other abolitionists and to "recharge your batteries" while engaging in public outreach and maintaining a physical presence at the Court. To visit the website for this event, click here, see the flyer, too. |
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New Mexico Abolishes the Death Penalty!
With Governor Richardson's signature on March 18, New Mexico became the third state in two years to abolish the death penalty, joining New York and New Jersey. The CNADP applauds Governor Richardson and the New Mexico legislature for their leadership in ending a broken system, and opting instead for sensible crime policy. We also congratulate the New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty for their tireless efforts to make abolition in the state a reality. Read more here... |
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Write Your Newspaper Editor and Legislator Let your legislator and newspaper editor know how you feel about the death penalty in Connecticut. Contact information for your legislators can be found here. It is important that your representatives know your position on this issue. Each of the newspapers in Connecticut is listed on this page. Write your newspaper editor today. |