Report from the weekly Board meeting at Holman Prison

Today was the first meeting since the arrival of the hard copies of our newsletter Wings of Hope at Holman and also in the free world, and so it was time not only to pass on reactions from our free world readers, but also for the men to critique the latest edition.

 
OUR VIEW: Another reason to be a little less confident about the outcomes at criminal trials: A new study suggests it's more common than once thought for people to be wrongly convicted of homicide and sexual assault
Published: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 5:45 AM
 By Birmingham News editorial board The Birmingham News
 

Those in the legal profession tell us juries get it right more often than not. And more often than not, they do.

Report from the weekly Board meeting at Holman Prison

Seeing these reports are pretty much for you, our supporters, I thought it would be a good idea to let you know how important you are. For example, after I had sent an email out to our list with the link to our latest Wings of Hope, it was exciting to be able to tell our Chair that within hours I had received positive feeback from places as far away from Holman as France and South Africa! We are out there! :)

 
OUR VIEW: This is one case where a judge should overrule a jury's recommendation regarding a death sentence
Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 5:45 AM
 By Birmingham News editorial board The Birmingham News
 

 Alabama is one of the only states in the country that let judges sentence a defendant to death even when a jury recommends against it. They should not have that power.

OUTMATE 101

Thirty years of prison experience, gratefully on the outside, plus the urgings of one of my Board members prompted the following musings. Those of you, who either know me personally or have read what I have written over the years, will not be surprised that I hold very definite opinions on this topic.

Report from the Weekly Board Meeting at Holman Prison

Today the Board was pleased to welcome a young man to the meeting for orientation. He had already gotten into the swing of things by attending several Small phadp Meetings on his tier. Don't get us wrong! We are never pleased to see anyone come to death row, but we are pleased that phadp can offer worthwhile involvement and help.

Report from the Weekly Board Meeting at Holman Prison

Expense and execution
Death-penalty cost issue resurges as state struggles

By Dennis Sherer
Staff Writer 
 

 

As many states look for ways to reduce spending, a battle is brewing between supporters and opponents of the death penalty.