Glossary

Abolish To end, destroy.
In the 1960’s, abolitionists pushed to end the death penalty. They argued that it was violating the Eighth Amendment and therefore unconstitutional. With the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 the abolition movement was reborn.

Arbitrary Depending on individual choice and not fixed by the law.
In the Furman decision, the Court found that the lack of standards for imposing the death penalty enabled the penalty to be selectively applied, allowing for discriminatory application, which violates the Eighth Amendment.

Clemency An act of mercy by the president or governor to moderate the severity of punishment.
In 2002, Illinois held clemency hearings for Illinois’ death row inmates. These hearings were designed to help Governor Ryan determine whether to commute the death sentences of the inmates.

Commutation The reduction of a sentence.
In January 2003, Governor Ryan commuted all 167 Death Row inmates' death sentences to sentences of life without parole.

Exonerate Removal of a charge, responsibility, or duty.
Gary Gauger, Anthony Porter and David Keaton were all exonerated after new evidence proved them not guilty of the crimes for which they were convicted. Since 1973, over 100
Death Row inmates across the U.S. have been exonerated.

Moratorium A legally authorized suspension of a legal action, such as execution.
In 2000, Governor Ryan declared a moratorium on all executions of Illinois Death Row inmates, while a commission he appointed reviewed the administration of the death penalty.

Pardon An act of grace from a governing power that releases an inmate from the legal penalties of an offense and, in some cases, allows for him/her to be released from prison.
In 2003, Governor Ryan pardoned four inmates on Death Row, whom he determined to be innocent.

Parole Supervised release of a prisoner from imprisonment on certain prescribed conditions.
In 2003, Ryan commuted all Illinois death sentences to life without parole. The 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision allowed for life with parole, and several hundred prisoners were eventually released from prison on parole, usually after serving at least 20 years in prison.