yg
AMENDMENT PROJECT
June 1, 2015
We know what the end of the death penalty in A merica looks like: The United States Supreme Court,
after considering things like legislative repeal and information about how rarely the punishment is used
in practice, will declare a national consensus against capital punishment. Then, using its own
independent judgment, the Court will find that this national consensus reflects that the death penalty is
acruel and unusual punishment because it (1) serves no penological purpose and (2) the persistent and
systemic failures in its administration are irremediable.
We have a lot of work to do to protect and deepen the national consensus against the death penalty and
to continue to document and expose the reality that the problems in its administration are too broken to
fix. We want to work with you, our partners in this struggle to end the death penalty in A merica, to
continue to make progress towards abolition this year. Given our constrained resources, and the degree
of targeting needed from our legislative, litigation and communications efforts in this final push
towards abolition, the 8th Amendment Project will identify areas of opportunity and recommend to
donors proposals from organizations that help fill those identified needs. However, given the incredible
work that this community is doing, and the deep knowledge and insight to be gained from many, many
partners, we are opening a period of notice and comment before funding recommendations are made.
Here are some of the things that we know will be critical to our collective success in getting a case to
the Supreme Court---and winning it once it gets there. To be clear, we know and appreciate the
countless array of important efforts that are done in individual cases, in local organizing, and in state
legislative advocacy, to name a few places where this community excels. This is all important work.
Our goal is to recognize this work, while also zooming in on the relatively small number of things that
need to be done with all deliberate speed if we are to capitalize on this unique opportunity to achieve
abolition.
1. Legislatively replace the death penalty (e.g. Maryland; Connecticut)
Achieve state judicial abolition through litigation (e.g. Massachusetts; New Y ork)
Achieve a multi-year gubernatorial or legislative moratorium (e.g. Oregon; PA)
Reduce new death sentences in very high locations (e.g. FL)
Prevent new death sentences in very low / no use locations (e.g. Montana).
Prevent new executions (e.g. LI strategy)
NY ane wn
Through litigation or legislation, bar the death penalty for a group of individuals (severe mental
illness; non-triggermen; etc).
HENDERSON HILL EXECUTIVE DIRECIOK
1100 South Mint Street, Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28203 © 704.257.6603 F 704.253.4790 www.8thAmendment.org
