Sir, – Paul Corcoran (Rite & Reason, August 29th) writes of Joe Biden’s capacity for hope and the depth of his compassion.
Mr Biden has an opportunity to demonstrate these admirable qualities at Thanksgiving. Before participating in the annual ceremony when the president spares the life of a turkey or two, he could choose to spare the lives of the 44 men languishing on federal death row. It would take him less than four minutes to sign the notices required to commute their sentences to life imprisonment.
Mr Biden has promised to work to end the death penalty. He could start by flexing his clemency power. – Yours, etc,
IAN O’DONNELL,
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Professor
of Criminology,
University College Dublin,
Dublin 4.