Why Death Penalty Won’t End Sexual Assault: A Social Work Perspective on Kennedy v Louisana

6-28-2008 National:

The nuances of the Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v Louisiana are perhaps more telling than the strict constitutionality of the ruling. The decision written by Justice Kennedy incorporates input from an amicus brief from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Louisiana chapter of NASW, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence and other state organizations working to end sexual assault.

Acknowledging that the rape of a child is a most heinous crime, Justice Kennedy notes early that punishment is primarily about retribution and what this application of the death penalty says about our culture. (Please note that all quotes are pulled from the court decision.) ..The Rest of the Story.. by Center for Children, Law & Policy | University of Houston Law Center