Conservative group kicks off 2017 plan for death penalty reform

As Georgia has made great strides with Governor Deal’s justice reform policies, there’s one place (well, maybe a few) that we’re still falling short.

The death penalty.

Georgia led the nation in executions in 2016 putting nine men to death by a lethal injection. Death penalty advocates say the increase is due to a back log after a brief moratorium, but Georgia is among the states that drew attention in 2015 over execution drug choice.

But a group focused on using conservative principles to advocate for death penalty reform is looking to raise awareness about the flaws in the system. Georgia Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty will hold a press conference this Thursday at the state Capitol.

The group will host a series of speakers including State Representative Brett Harrell, a Gwinnett Republican, and David Burge, who is the former Chairman of Georgia’s 5th Congressional District Republican Party.

In a press release sent out by the organization Tuesday, Rep. Harrell said:

“I am skeptical of our government’s ability to implement efficient and effective programs, and so a healthy skepticism of our state’s death penalty is warranted. Many individuals have been wrongly convicted and sentenced to die. Meanwhile, taxpayers are forced to pay for this risky government program, even though it costs far more than life without parole.”

In an era where technology and forensics are exonerating prisoners around the nation on a near-weekly basis, it seems that the least other conservatives could do is listen and learn.

Details: Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Room 610
Thursday, January 19th at 2:00 P.M.