The oldest prison reform agency in the world supports Gov. Tom Wolf in his courageous move to declare a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Prison Society, founded in 1787, opposes the death penalty and agrees that there are too many outstanding questions about it.
We often hear of innocent individuals released from death row. Unlike other sentences, there is no reversible action when someone is executed.
The research indicates that the death penalty does not deter crime and costs the commonwealth millions in taxpayer dollars. We know that the loss of a loved one can never be made up by more loss.
Since there currently is a state-sponsored study to examine capital punishment in Pennsylvania, the logical move is to be prudent. This examination is needed to make sure the commonwealth is acting in a reasonable way by using all the information available.
We congratulate the governor for his deliberation and willingness to do what is right.
Ann Schwartzman
Philadelphia
The writer is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society.
