Disability Rights North Carolina is working with fellow advocacy organizations across the state to educate them concerning proposed legislation that would exempt those with a severe mental disability from the death penalty. At present, North Carolina permits the execution of persons with severe mental disability. With support from a generous grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, DRNC is working both to educate our citizens about the reasons it is fair and just to exclude such persons from capital punishment and in so doing, to raise awareness about mental illness.

DRNC convenes regular meetings of interested advocacy groups to focus their efforts on the goals of the project. We also make presentations throughout the state about the need to exclude these offenders from capital punishment. We would be happy to come speak to your organization, or to provide you with materials about this issue. If you would like more information, please contact Kristin Parks at kris.parks@disabilityrightsnc.org, or (919) 451-2324.