I witnessed innocence in San Quentin, first hand. I saw light shining through their eyes. One guy said, “I think it all started when I was 4. I saw my mom stab my father in the back. All I remember was a big pool of blood on the ground.” I said I’d be angry too if I saw that.

They don’t want to be angry. They’re struggling very hard not to be. They want to get out of prison more than anything. Still, if they lose their cool and get into a fight, their term is extended. Think of your own anger and lack of control over it.  I’ve said and done many things I regret in my life as a result of angry thoughts. Now add severe childhood trauma to that. The result is a person with much less control.

Studies have shown the death penalty is actually NOT a deterrent. Are very sick minds driven by logical thinking? Nor is it cost effective: $4 billion was spent since 1978 and 13 executed. Court costs make it more costly than life in prison (June 2013 Election article, SF Chronicle). Not to mention the accused who have been found innocent after their execution.