We have come a long way as a nation as we work to make our country a better, safer and more just place for all citizens to live.

In the past century, we have moved toward many practices that are more humane and fair than practices of previous generations. In my opinion, the death penalty is one of the problematic issues that should be relegated to the past and found only as a footnote in history books — years from today.

There is a long list of reasons why Kansas needs to abolish the death penalty, and there is no sensible reason for us to keep this dysfunctional system. The last time the state of Kansas executed a person was exactly half a century ago. Yet the death penalty is still part of our criminal justice system, consuming millions of taxpayers’ dollars, which could more wisely be spent on pro-active law enforcement, social and mental health programs that could help prevent violent crimes.

With a human life at stake, it is necessary that death penalty cases go through a prolonged process of pre-trials, trials, prolonged appeals and re-trials. This time-intensive process is necessary in order to avoid the risk of executing an innocent person, but it also costs four times more than trials where life in prison without parole is pursued. In addition, this lengthy process puts murder victim family members through elongated trauma.

Although such painstaking and lengthy trial processes are designed, in theory, to avoid the risk of executing innocent lives, serious mistakes do happen. No human system is infallible, and in many states, flaws and corruptions have cost the lives of the innocent while leaving murder victim families empty handed.

Since 1973, 151 innocent people have been exonerated from death row. Another 18 people have already been put to death, despite overwhelming doubt of guilt.

Kansas has an effective alternative to the death penalty — life in prison without the possibility of parole. Assessed from every angle, the death penalty is an ill-advised public policy.

By abolishing the death penalty now, Kansas can ensure the needs of society are met, while avoiding the risk of taking innocent lives in the future. In order to get a well-rounded understanding about the death penalty, I invite Kansans to learn the facts from academic research, stories of murder victim families, testimonies of innocent exonerees, views of faith leaders and insights of law enforcement officials.

I also ask Kansans to make their voices heard by contacting their legislators now urging them to opt for a fiscally responsible public policy and vote “yes” on the repeal bill presented this legislative session.

— Ewnetu Tsegaw, Community Coordinator — Wichita area, Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty