Pennsylvania
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, Pennsylvania has executed a total of 3 people since 1976.
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Governor Ed Rendell (D), former Philadelphia prosecutor and mayor, supports the death penalty, but has said he will review the issue if warranted. In early 2003 a community appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that executions should be stopped until the state can show how race effects death penalty sentences.
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
There are currently 231 prisoners on Death Row in Pennsylvania. Of the 231 Death Row prisoners, 141 are black, 70 are white, 18 are Latino and 2 are Asian. Out of the 231 prisoners on Death Row, 5 of them are women.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
Innocence Institute of Western Pennsylvania
Bill Moushey
Point Park College
Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
201 Wood St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
Six innocent people have been exonerated on Death Row in Pennsylvania. Niel Faber was released in 1986 after serving 4 years, Jay C. Smith was released in 1992 after serving 6 years, William Nieves was released in 2000 after serving 6 years, Thomas Kimbell Jr. was released in 2002 after serving 4 years, Nicholas Yarris was released in 2003 after serving 20 years, and Harold Wilson was released in 2005 after serving 16 years.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
ACLU of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Abolitionists United Against the Death Penalty
Additional Resources
Pennsylvania State Info at DPIC
Pennsylvania State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
Harold Wilson Is 4th Person Exonerated in Pennsylvania
November 21, 2005
From The Death Penalty Information Center: Harold Wilson is the 122nd inmate freed from Death...
High Court Strikes Another Blow Against Death Penalty
June 21, 2005
Read the full article in The Sun Times. WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday...
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
CPADP Screens Deadline in Harrisburg, PA
March 18, 2005
On Friday, March 11, Central Pennsylvanians to Abolish the Death Penalty hosted a screening of...
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...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
Two More September Deadline Screenings
September 18, 2004
Swathmore, PA September 28 - Swathmore College, Screening and Q and A, location TBA San...
