On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown made the historic announcement that she had commuted the sentences of all 17 death row inmates in Oregon to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This continues a 25-year-old moratorium on executions in the state.
It has been 25 years since anyone has been executed on death row in Oregon, thanks to a moratorium that former Gov John Kitzhaber placed back in 2011. Gov Brown continued this moratorium and finally took the bold step to commute all 17 of the death row inmates’ sentences. In her statement, she said, “I have long believed that justice is not advanced by taking a life, and the state should not be in the business of executing people – even if a terrible crime placed them in prison.” This statement resonated with many Oregonians who share her belief that capital punishment does not lead to justice or healing.
Gov Brown’s decision was met with praise from both sides of the aisle, but some Republicans have voiced concerns over this move. However, they will likely have no power to reverse Brown’s decision as governor-elect Tina Kotek has announced her opposition to capital punishment and plans to continue the moratorium when she takes office next year.
Some people may feel as if this is a major victory for human rights advocates. They seem to want other states to follow suit. But what about the victims and their families? I wonder if they had a say in it. I highly doubt it and I highly doubt they will think justice has been served. Some say these criminals shouldn’t have rights because of their crimes and what they did to their victims. Is life in prison without the possibility of parole enough? What do you think?
