Eighteen years ago today, on April 23, 1994, elected officials in Kansas reinstated the death penalty. Before 1994, Kansas had been death penalty free for 18 years. Since reinstatement in 1994, Kansas has not executed anyone, though the death penalty has been handed down inconsistently across the state and at a cost 70% greater than if those criminals had been sentenced to life without parole.
Every year we get closer to repealing this wasteful and dangerous policy. Momentum for abolition is building around the country, with Connecticut set to become the 17th state to repeal capital punishment any day now.
After 18 years with a broken death penalty system, it’s time for Kansas to become the 18th state to abolish the death penalty. But we need your help!
Many policymakers in Kansas mistakenly believe that all Kansans support the death penalty, but we know that’s simply not true. Stan Bohn, from Newton, KS, is one of the thousands of Kansans who oppose the death penalty. Click on the video below to watch Stan tell his story and find out why he opposes the Kansas death penalty.
We need more stories like Stan’s to show legislators that people from all walks of life and all backgrounds want to live in a Kansas that doesn’t have the death penalty.
Share your story and tell us why you oppose the death penalty!
You can add your voice to the growing number of Kansans who want to eliminate the death penalty. Tell us why you oppose the death penalty by submitting this online form.