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We seek the abolition of the death penalty because it denies the sacredness of human life.
~From the FCNL Statement of Legislative Policy
The Friends Committee on National Legislation Statement of Legislative Policy guides FCNL's legislative advocacy on this issue. See below for our policy statement on criminal justice.
Much of the work dedicated to abolishing the death penalty is taking place at the state level. FCNL does not have a dedicated lobbyist working on federal death penalty issues at this time. We recommend people interested in this issue contact the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, 920 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003, (202) 543-9577, www.ncadp.org
Criminal Justice: From the FCNL Statement of Legislative Policy
Adopted November 2003
We call for a transformation of our current system of criminal justice. We acknowledge that a well trained police force and incarceration of violent and destructive individuals are necessary to protect society. We urge our government to work toward a criminal justice system that is restorative, seeking to return rehabilitated offenders to society with the restoration of their full rights and obligations. Crime prevention should include programs that address the complex and pervasive causes of crime, which often are rooted in social and economic injustice.
The criminal justice system today is used principally as an instrument of retribution, a policy contrary to our Quaker beliefs. We call for laws that provide equitable and prompt adjudication; education, training, or treatment for those convicted; and restitution to the victims of crime. We insist upon a system that treats juveniles as children, not adults; is not biased by race or economic status; and provides full access to competent counsel. We oppose the privatization of prisons and the exploitation of prison labor. We support measures that ensure constitutional protections for offenders.
We seek the abolition of the death penalty because it denies the sacredness of human life.
Violent acts that stem from using, selling, or transferring drugs, or obtaining money to use them, should be prosecuted through the criminal justice system. However, substance abuse itself is fundamentally a health issue requiring prevention, education, treatment, and rehabilitation.
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