When some people find out that I have a penfriend on Death Row, they tend to assume that I am, well, a bit mad. A lot of people associate Death Row with serial killers and believe that perhaps you too are a 'sicko' if you are writing to someone there. Some people think that only sad and lonely women, desperate for some kind of romantic intrigue have penfriends on Death Row. Or, they think that you are maybe a bit of 'philanthropist gone-a-bit-too-far' (i.e surely there are other charities more deserving and less 'risque' to get involved with?!).

I have to say however, that I don't write for any of those reasons. I feel strongly that we are living in an increasingly violent, emotionally stagnated and irresponsible world. As society grows more violent, people lose their ability to connect with the rest of humanity. In particular, those who are disempowered, who are alienated, who have no hope, or realise that the world we live in doesn't work in a 'fair way' feel increasingly desperate and look to desperate solutions. Unfortunately, many people are incapable of thinking, reflecting and examining themselves before they commit a crime. Others are incapable of doing the same before they condemn another to death for committing (or allegedly committing…?) a crime.

Whatever your experience of crime, punishment and suffering, there is clearly a side of the equation that never changes. Killing, for whatever reason, is NOT a solution for a society that aims to be civilised. It's a quick fix, a simple way out of what can be an unbearable and unsufferable situation - both for those who are grieving, and for the rest of society who may not know how to deal with such horror and who may even feel guilt that 'their world' has allowed such a crime to occur. To this degree, carrying out state-sanctioned executions lets the rest of us off the hook for what we are letting our society do.

Wanting revenge and another's death in exchange for your loved one's is an entirely understandable and perhaps even natural, reaction to the ways that lives have been ripped apart. But I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect our communities from decisions based on emotional reactions (for example studies in the US testify that even witnessing the execution of your loved one's murderer does not produce the longed-for yearning for 'satisfaction'). We know that dozens of countries in the world have put innocent people to death. So is our response to shrug our shoulders and hope that 'DNA should put an end to that kind of thing happening'. What about the families of those who are executed by the state? What did they do to have to watch their sons and daughter's, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers killed in front of their own eyes?

But I also believe passionately that victims of crime must not be forgotten. They need our practical support and assistance, not a knee-jerk reaction to the horror that they have experienced. The group Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation does excellent work in this area and is certainly worthy of more attention. To me, this group seems to demonstrate something of what 'higher civilisation' is all about and even the peace that can be experienced when the family of a murder victim get help beyond the 'execute-fix' solution.

To me, it is clear that the Death Penalty produces victims at both ends of the judicial system. It turns society in on itself so that we ALL ultimately become victims of our fear, hatred and inability to walk in the shoes of another.

With these thoughts in mind, please read Anthony's work with an open mind and try and suspend your judgement, just for a few minutes.

Warmest Regards

Christina

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