United States

Death Penalty Focus

Death Penalty Focus (DPF) is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to the abolition of capital punishment in the United States through public education; grassroots organizing and political advocacy; media outreach; and domestic and international coalition building.

With 150,000 members and supporters nationwide, DPF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of renowned political, religious, and civic leaders, along with legal scholars and attorneys involved in death penalty litigation.

DPF conducts programs focusing on the family members of murder victims who oppose the death penalty, outreach to law enforcement and engaging faith leaders as educators of their congregations and communities. The organization conducts research on behalf of lawyers, educators and the general public, and sponsors a variety of public education and media campaigns.

DPF also guides and supports a network of several active chapters throughout California and serves as a liaison among anti-death penalty groups nationwide.

DPF organizes year-round public education and professional media campaigns; provide speakers for schools, faith communities, and community organizations; conduct outreach to key constituents; mobilize supporters in support of or against death-penalty-related legislation; and sponsor research projects and opinion polls.
DPF publishes and distributes a newsletter and materials on the death penalty and participates in numerous speaking engagements before community groups, schools, church groups, legal and other professional organizations. Our monthly newsletter, The Focus, provides comprehensive information on current death penalty news. DPF distributes thousands of pieces of educational materials each year, available in both English and Spanish, and has developed an educational curriculum for high school teachers interested in discussing the death penalty with their students.

DPF believes that the death penalty is an ineffective and brutally simplistic response to the serious and complex problem of violent crime that institutionalizes discrimination against the poor and people of color and diverts attention and financial resources away from preventative measures. DPF is convinced that when the public is informed about the inherent racism, injustice, and the true human and financial cost associated with the death penalty, the United States will abolish state-sanctioned killing.

Date founded

1988

Structure type

NGO