The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg and Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty invite you to join us for An Examination of the Death Penalty.  The evening includes a documentary film screening, an update on our state’s death penalty system, and audience Q & A. This is a free event and open to the public. Please register in advance.

In the Executioner’s Shadow takes a penetrating look at the consequences of the death penalty through three powerful stories. A former state executioner comes within days of executing an innocent person; a Boston Marathon bombing victim struggles to decide what justice really means; the parents of a murder victim choose to fight for the life of their daughter’s killer. This film challenges viewers to question their deepest beliefs about justice.

The Study Commission and Advisory Council on Capital Punishment in Pennsylvania released its long-awaited report in June of 2018. It highlighted numerous systemic flaws in the administration of the death penalty, including the risk of executing an innocent person. The committee’s analysis indicated that systemic problems with the death penalty persist, including geographical disparities, a lack of adequate representation for poor defendants, and high costs to taxpayers. It’s time to take a closer look.

Let’s talk about it.