CLOSURE: THE DEATH PENALTY, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, AND ARIZONA VICTIM SERVICES

Abstract

One of the biggest justifications for the continued use of capital punishment in the United States is that the practice brings closure to co-victims, the family members of the murdered victim. However, this argument does not resonate with all co-victims due to various factors, including religious beliefs, moral convictions, and the emotional toll of the post-conviction appeals process. This thesis begins by evaluating victim services in Arizona, a death penalty state that prides itself in being victim-centered. Interviews from victim advocates, individuals in victim services, and a research review will offer insight into where victim services can be improved, and-what victims need in capital cases in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal County. Second, the thesis will offer interviews and analysis with victims impacted by capital and non-capital offenses, their experiences with closure and thoughts about capital punishment. Third, the thesis will then explore the idea of restorative justice practices, such as victim offender dialogue, and their relationship to closure while also discussing the issue of the word closure for co-victims. Fourth, the thesis will highlight the hidden victims of the death penalty through discussion/analysis of an interview of a family member of a death row defendant and interviews of innocent people who spent time on Arizona and Florida's death row. Finally, the thesis will argue that the death penalty does not bring closure and healing to victims, but instead creates new victims, and that a more restorative approach to justice would better serve victims everywhere, including those in Arizona.