State sanctioned support for the death penalty supports violence in American society, elevates the role of revenge as an American value and practice, and derails social justice. This presentation explores the way in which the death penalty supports violence, argues that the death penalty’s focus on revenge is not only counter productive but its primary object is often a missed mark leading to the family members of the accused, and examines ways in which the experiences of family members of both the accused and victims can be used to support a world wide movement for abolition.

Specifically family members who have been touched by the death penalty will join the panel with Elizabeth Beck, to explore the ways in which the death penalty has affected their lives. These family members will tell their stories. A mother will describe the impact of her sons death sentence and execution on her own life and family, a sister will speak about her brother who is coming perilously close to execution despite recent revelations of new evidence questioning his guilt. Finally a daughter and stepsister will describe what it has meant to have forgiven the man (her stepbrother) who killed her father and stepmother.

Following the first hand discussion of their experiences, Elizabeth will explore the data that she has collected to examine why a death sentence is uniquely devastating to family members. In so doing she will share results from extensive interviews indicating that about two-thirds of individuals who have a loved one on death row are suffering from depression and trauma symptoms, and she will explore theories of grief and trauma to explain why this pain is unique to the death penalty and how it differs from having a loved one in prison

Finally, the presentation will explore ways in which family members of the accused and victims have come together to create change and transform their suffering.

Participants will take away information and tools that can support social justice by advancing the abolition of the death penalty. Specifically: participants will have a greater understanding about the death penalty, they will be given strategies that will allow them to bring the voices of family members into the abolition movement., they will witness through storytelling how restorative justice can transform individuals and systems.

The presentation will be in English and two fact sheet will be provided to participants. The first will be talking points related to the death penalty and family members, and the second will be a primer in restorative justice.