A Call for Compassion and Justice
The death penalty is a practice rooted in retribution, yet it fails to heal the harm done or restore justice. Instead, it perpetuates cycles of violence and is irreversible. Lisa’s story is a painful reminder of the deep flaws in our justice system and the devastating consequences of its reliance on the death penalty.
Lisa was one of my best friends in prison. She had endured a childhood so full of physical abuse and sexual torture that it left her broken, unable to trust or love herself. She learned to dissociate, to protect herself from the unbearable pain of her experiences. Behind bars, however, for perhaps the first time in her life, she found stability. I believe that the Lisa I knew in prison was the real Lisa—the woman who was kind, giving, and fiercely loving despite the trauma she had lived through.
On January 13, 2021, Lisa became the first woman executed by the federal government in nearly 70 years. While her crime was undoubtedly horrible, killing Lisa did not undo the harm she caused, nor did it offer true justice to anyone involved. The government relentlessly fought to silence every effort to save her life, even when evidence of her brokenness was clear—evidence that could have led to a life sentence and the chance for healing.
Lisa’s death will not be in vain if we continue to fight for a system of justice that chooses rehabilitation over retribution. The death penalty is a practice that takes away the opportunity for redemption, healing, and transformation—a chance that Lisa never got.
What Can We Do?
- Advocate for the abolition of the death penalty at both the state and federal levels.
- Support organizations that provide legal assistance to those on death row.
- Educate others about the flaws and injustices of the death penalty, especially in cases involving trauma, mental health, and marginalized communities.
Lisa’s death was an irreversible act of violence, but it doesn’t have to define her legacy. We can honor her memory by standing up against a system that takes lives instead of offering the chance for redemption. Let’s work toward a justice system that embraces compassion, mercy, and understanding—a system that offers second chances, not final sentences.
💡 Join the Fight: MyFriendLisa.org