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     Derrick Sean O'Brien
        Texecuted July 11, 2006
        
       
               Derrick O'Brien writes on the Abolition movement:

Sept. 2002 -

As you know, the current fight against the death penalty is growing,
but is it taking the right direction ?  Lots of people support the d/p,
especially now with 9/11, but most are not educated on the negatives
of death row other than the innocence issue and the execution of
mentally retarded ending.  To be blunt, most Americans are concerned
with money more than anything else; capitalism rules here. I believe
that if the general public knew that millions are spent (per inmate) on
the death penalty from trial to executions, there would be an outcry.  
If it can be shown that these monies could be better spent on the betterment
of communities and comprehensive programs that head off crime, I believe
many people would come around. The wrongness of the d/p is being shown
solely from a moralistic standpoint but is this effective here where morals
have deteriorated to a large extent ? We are geared up to go and raze Iraq
to the ground (again) because of one man.  The public supports it but in
doing so also supports the killing of hundreds of people who have absolutely
no control over there.  If the majority of Americans don't really care about
the killing of hundreds of people then how can they care for us on death row ?
No, morals aren't the way to approach the struggle, financially is.  If we had
people out saying that they don't want millions of their tax dollars going for
a useless system every year.  I'll bet the politicians'll reach then.  We have
to show that its cheaper and more effective to house an offender for life
than to execute.  The extra money can be used for better law enforcement,
better educational programs, community centers, etc. On average, about
4 million dollars is spent per inmate on death row from trial to execution;
there are close to 500 inmates here in Texas alone.  Nationwide this is a
lot of money spent for no other reason than retribution.  There are a whole
array of beneficial programs that can be actualized with the money used
for capital defense and prosecution; lets say children's healthcare for instance.
I wonder how many children could be saved or kept living, who would
otherwise die, with the monies, states use to kill men and women on death
row.  Isn't it a worthwhile thing to explore ? I believe that it is.  How many
much needed operations and treatments could be given that are now too
costly by some ?  How many people who need specialized treatment would
receive it?  It is a shame that it comes down to money versus morals and
what's right, but with revenge and vengeance being so much a staple of
American society now, the struggle has to take on a new dimension.  
Education is the key, and if we can show how many people can benefit
from the abolition of the death penalty I believe many would support it
although not for the right reasons. Imagine how a person whose wife,
child, parent is sick would feel to know that with just half of what their
state spends on death row inmate they (or he) could get the very best
of treatment for a loved one.  This could be a reality if people would just
see with their hearts.  On a deeper level though, it is incumbent that we
all develop a genuine respect for all forms of life if systems like the death
penalty are to become obsolete.  As it stands, our nations youth (and future)
are losing this inherent humanity because of our own lack of it.  It all comes
down to us, the adults, to show the way to a world where a persons sole
wish is for the happiness of the next.  We bear the responsibility of showing
our children how to be human and if we can't then our world will continue
to suffer for it.  Life is a miracle and therefore precious each time one is
taken before its time , the world loses something special.  All of this may
sound strange coming from me, a death row inmate, but if I never strove
to change even knowing my wrongs, I couldn't call myself human.  ....

Derrick Sean O'Brien  999131
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston Texas
77351 USA

                        Derrick's Original Pen Pal Request to the CCADP:

Hello my name is Sean, and I'm writing...because I'm very interested in receiving a friend.
I look forward to you hearing from you soon, and till I do I remain sincerely yours,

               Derrick Sean O'Brien   #999131
                         Polunsky Unit D.R
                        3872 FM 350 South
                          Livingston Texas
                                77351 USA

                           Another Pen Pal support page at:
           http://www.deathrow.at/polunsky/inmates/obrien.html


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This page was last updated July 13, 2006                 Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
This page is maintained and updated by Dave Parkinson and Tracy Lamourie in Toronto, Canada