Oregon Gov. Kate Brown revealed intentions Tuesday to commute the sentences of 17 individuals on death row to life without the possibility of parole, most likely exercising her executive clemency powers for the final time as governor.
Brown said in a statement that the death penalty “cannot be and never has been administered fairly and equitably.”
“I have long believed that justice is not advanced by taking a life, and the state should not be in the business of executing people — even if a terrible crime placed them in prison,” said Brown.
“Unlike previous commutations I’ve granted to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary growth and rehabilitation, this commutation is not based on any rehabilitative efforts by the individuals on death row. Instead, it reflects the recognition that the death penalty is immoral.”
Brown said the commutations were consistent with a moratorium on the death penalty instituted by Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber in 2011.
“I also recognize the pain and uncertainty victims experience as they wait for decades while individuals sit on death row — especially in states with moratoriums on executions — without resolution. My hope is that this commutation will bring us a significant step closer to finality in these cases,” Brown said.
The death sentence is legal in 27 states, including Oregon. According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Virginia became the most recent state to legislatively prohibit the practice last year, opting instead for a punishment of life imprisonment with no possibility of parole.
The death sentence was first legalized in Oregon in the nineteenth century, but it has since been repealed and resurrected three times. It was reintroduced most recently in 1984, with two executions since then, in September 1996 and May 1997.
Brown, a Democrat, was elected in 2015 and will be succeeded in January by Democrat Tina Kotek. Brown has the highest disapproval ratings of any governor in the country this year.
Brown’s ruling goes into effect on Wednesday.
