When this organization has to exist, and is successful in its efforts while in existence, then the system it is monitoring is in need of serious repair.
The need for repair is the problem for a society that has as one of it's foundations, equal justice under the law. Everyone knows that money and fame can stack the system in your favor. Many people believe that racial attitudes play a factor.
A 2000 study co-sponsored by the Justice Department tells us that, of people who've never done time in juvenile facilities, a black drug defendant is 48 times more likely to be jailed than a white one with the same record.
Successes of the organization like this one, should shake the foundation of the justice seem to the core. But, instead, the system moves on and people knowingly support a system that is broken.
I don't understand people who say their faith drives them to be against abortion because abortion ends an innocent life but then they turn around and support the death penalty, even when presented with information like this. Look at the last chart on the page: 101 wrongful convictions based on mistaken identification.
How can the system of the death penalty be supported by the same people who claim they believe in the sanctity of life? There is no doubt that wrongful convictions are made. Why is there no doubt that no one who was innocent of the crime for which they have been convicted, has been executed by the state? That is just an inconsistency that I am unable to resolve.
What does this mean for the system? That is the real problem. The "powers that be" don't want to face that question, otherwise a foundation of our nation will be weakened.
I can't support the death penalty because it is absolute. If there is a mistake, you cannot bring back the life of the person killed by the state.
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