New Jersey
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, however New Jersey has not had an execution since 1976.
New Jersey has not executed anyone since capital punishment was reinstated here in 1982, but four of the thirteen people on New Jersey’s death row have exhausted their state appeals. Estimates as to when the first execution will take place fall within 6 months.
NJADP is urging citizens to contact the Governor now and tell him to support S-1212, which replaces the death penalty with life without parole.
There are currently 2 bills in the Assembly and 1 in the Senate to abolish the death penalty and replace with life without parole.
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Governor John Corzine (D) opposes the death penalty. Governor Corzine also voted yes to a bill that would require DNA testing for all federal executions and yes for moratorium on death penalty- more DNA testing
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
Of the 13 prisoners on Death Row in New Jersey, 6 are black and 7 are white. Of the 13 prisoners on Death Row in New Jersey, 1 is a woman.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
Centurion Ministries
Devoted to liberating from prison innocent individuals in America sentenced to death or life without parole for at least 15 years.
Innocence Project for Justice at Rutgers University School of Law
123 Washington St.
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 353-5687 or 353-3259
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
To date, no prisoner on Death Row has been found to be innocent in New Jersey.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
NJDPM's tireless efforts have built a credible, statewide moratorium movement with strong support from the civic and religious communities and bipartisan support in the General Assembly.
Additional Resources
New Jersey State Info at DPIC
New Jersey State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
New Jersey Senate Approves Moratorium
December 16, 2005
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill today to suspend executions: "By its action today,...
New Jersey Court Required to Prove Accused Child Killer Not Mentally Retarded
August 18, 2005
A New Jersey appeals court on Wednesday said Morris County prosecutors must prove to a...
Centurion Ministries
June 13, 2005
At The Princeton Human Righs Film Festival, a representative spoke from an organization I had...
Murder Survivor Speaks Against Death Penalty as Connecticut Legislature Takes Historic Vote
March 30, 2005
TCASK just sent out this press release. Connecticut's House of Representatives votes on a measure...
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
US 'Whittling Away at Death Penalty'
March 03, 2005
From the BBC: Legal experts say that the US Supreme Court's decision to prevent youths...
Democracy Now Segment About The Death Penalty
March 02, 2005
Today you can see a segment of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman about the landmark...
Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juvenile Killers
March 01, 2005
In a huge move, The Supreme Court forbid the execution of minors (under 17) at...
Study Finds Innocence Issue Leads to Lower Death Penalty Support
February 22, 2005
Makes sense to me. Three-quarters of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed...
Death penalty foes challenge changes in capital punishment protocol
February 05, 2005
On Friday, there was a three hour hearing on proposed changes to New Jersey's procedures...
Bush Calls for Death Penalty Lawyer Training
February 04, 2005
I realize this is a slow response to the State of the Union, (two days...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
New Jersey Senate Likely To Impose Two-Year Hold On Executions
December 14, 2004
As one death row inmate moved closer to lethal injection yesterday, acting Gov. Richard Codey...
"Get Tough" Programs for Juveniles Don't Work
October 17, 2004
An interesting article in the Times today, claims that these "get tough" programs for at...
Changing Hearts and Minds in New Jersey Prisons
October 07, 2004
By GUEST BLOGGERS: Eddie Hicks, Galloway, New Jersey, and Lorry Post, Cape May, New Jersey...
