Entries tagged with “Jerry Givens”
Facts & Research
History of the Death Penalty
,Public Opinion
,Recent Legislative Activity
,Feb 05, 2021
Virginia Legislature Votes to Abolish the Death Penalty
With two historic votes, the Virginia General Assembly has moved the commonwealth to the cusp of becoming the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment, approving separate bills that would end the state’s death penalty and resentence the two men on death row to life without parole. On February 3, 2021, the Virginia State Senate voted along party lines, 21 – 17, in favor of abolishing capital punishment. Two days later, three Republicans joined all but one Democrat in…
Facts & Research
Recent Legislative Activity
,Feb 04, 2021
Virginia Senate Passes Bill to Abolish the Death Penalty
The Virginia Senate moved the commonwealth one step closer to becoming the first Southern state to abolish capital punishment, voting 21 – 17 on February 3, 2021 to approve a bill that would end the state’s death penalty and resentence the two men on death row to life without…
Facts & Research
New Voices
,Apr 20, 2020
Jerry Givens, Former Executioner Who Became Outspoken Critic of Death Penalty, Dies at 67
Jerry Givens (pictured), who performed 62 executions during his time as a Virginia corrections officer, but later became an activist against the death penalty, died April 13, 2020 of COVID-19. He was 67 years old. During his 17 years (1982 – 1999) as a member of Virginia’s execution team, the commonwealth performed more executions than any other state except…
Executions
Upcoming Executions
,Mar 17, 2020
Texas Court Issues 60-Day Stay of Execution for John Hummel in Response to Coronavirus Crisis
Responding to escalating health concerns caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) has temporarily halted the execution of John Hummel. In an order issued on March 16, 2020, the TCCA stayed Hummel’s execution, which had been scheduled for March 18, for 60 days, saying the delay was necessary “in light of the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address that…
Policy Issues
Innocence
,Race
,New Voices
,Apr 25, 2018
Powerful New Documentaries Explore Death-Penalty Issues
Three powerful new documentaries that explore the modern death penalty in the United States are set to premiere this…
Facts & Research
New Voices
,Mar 31, 2017
Corrections Officials Warn Arkansas Leaders About Psychological Trauma From Unprecedented Execution Schedule
As Arkansas moves toward attempting to conduct an unprecedented eight executions in eleven days, former corrections officials from across the country are warning Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson of the psychological toll the compressed execution schedule could take on prison…
Policy Issues
Innocence
,New Voices
,Apr 24, 2015
NEW VOICES: Effects of the Death Penalty on Those Who Carry It Out
Four retired death-row prison officials — two wardens, a chaplain, and an execution supervisor — recently described the effect that carrying out executions has had on…
Policy Issues
International
,New Voices
,Jun 19, 2013
INTERNATIONAL: Leaders from Many Countries Address Fifth World Congress in Madrid
On June 12 – 15, political leaders and criminal justice experts from five continents gathered in Madrid, Spain, for the Fifth World Congress Against the Death Penalty. The World Congress was co-sponsored by Spain, France, Norway, and Switzerland, and included delegates from over 90 countries. The delegation from the United States included Jerry Givens, a former correctional officer in Virginia, who assisted with the execution of 62 inmates. Givens became an opponent of the…
Policy Issues
Innocence
,New Voices
,Feb 14, 2013
NEW VOICES: Former Virginia Executioner Calls for End of Death Penalty
Jerry Givens spent 17 years as the correctional officer in charge of Virginia’s electrocutions. During his tenure, he carried out 62 executions. He now strongly opposes the death…