Today the Nebraska Department of Corrections announced a public hearing on a proposal to change the execution protocols in Nebraska. Our NADP staff and board members have anticipated this action, and are working with partner organizations to oppose any attempt to hide the ugly aspects of execution policies and procedures. Read the full story here.
Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty is ready to stand against any effort to cloak Nebraska’s broken death penalty system in secrecy. No matter what people think of the death penalty itself, Nebraskans value transparency and accountability in every aspect of government. In fact, it’s carved in stone above the main entrance of our State Capitol: “The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen.”
Danielle Conrad, Executive Director of the ACLU of Nebraska, noted, “Both death penalty supporters and opponents should be able to agree that the most extreme use of state power should absolutely not occur in the shadows. … Any ill-advised effort to limit the rights of citizens, journalists, and criminal defendants to know and understand this process would implicate grave constitutional, legal and policy questions that will come at the expense of the Nebraska taxpayer.”
We will keep you informed of ways you can make your voice heard. A required hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled for Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall, Lower Level Conference Room. Please mark your calendars and ensure your voice is heard at this hearing!