Contact DPIC
DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER
1015 18TH ST. NW, SUITE 704
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
PH: 202-289-2275
FX: 202-289-7336
Visitors to the DPIC offices are encouraged to make an appointment.
The Death Penalty Information Center is a non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. The Center was founded in 1990 and prepares in-depth reports, issues press releases, conducts briefings for journalists, and serves as a resource to those working on this issue. The Center is widely quoted and consulted by all those concerned with the death penalty.
DPIC is a non-profit, tax exempt organization. We depend on the generosity of individuals and foundations for our support. Current foundation support has been received from the Roderick MacArthur Foundation, the Open Society Institute, the JEHT Foundation, and the Butler Family Fund. Contributions to the address above will be used to expand our educational and informational efforts. To make an on-line tax-deductible donation to DPIC, Click Here.
GENERAL INFORMATION
We hope that you have fully explored DPIC's Web site, which should answer most of your questions. If you can't find the information you are looking for on our site, try DPIC's Resources page that contains links to other Web sites, books, law review and news articles. DPIC cannot do research for individuals. Most of our research is already available on our Web site, especially within our Reports, Issues, or Facts pages. If you are seeking general information about DPIC, wish to order one of our reports, or have other questions, contact our Research and Information Specialist. We are willing to answer FACTUAL questions from the general public, but not offer OPINIONS. Members of the MEDIA are welcome to make any inquiries.
INFORMACION EN ESPANOL
A portion of DPIC's Web site is also available in Spanish.
For materials in other languages, see Special from DPIC.
STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER
This page assists students wishing to explore issues surrounding the death penalty. There are ideas for debates and research papers as well as links to connect students with academic resources on capital punishment. This link answers frequently asked questions, such as DPIC’s stance on the death penalty and how to cite information from the DPIC Web site. To access the Student Resource Center go: HERE
REPORTS AND E-MAIL SERVICE
DPIC has released several reports about the death penalty. DPIC's reports can be viewed here. DPIC also provides an e-mail subscription service that sends the previous week's news on the death penalty to your mailbox. To subscribe to this service, send an email us here with the subject line SUBSCRIBE.
EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM
Working with the Michigan State University Communications Technology Laboratory, DPIC has developed a Death Penalty Curriculum for students. For more information, contact our Communications and Education Director Corinne Farrell.
INTERNSHIPS
For information on possible internships at DPIC, contact our Communications and Education Director Corinne Farrell. A letter of interest, including preferred hours, and a resume will act as an application.
MEDIA
If you are a member of the media please visit DPIC's Press Room.
DPIC's BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Center's Board of Directors includes many renowned experts on the subject of capital punishment:
- Anthony G. Amsterdam, Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law at New York University Law School. Mr. Amsterdam argued Furman v. Georgia before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972, resulting in overturning the death penalty and saving over 600 lives.
- David J. Bradford, Partner at Jenner and Block in Chicago. Mr. Bradford serves as Counsel to the MacArthur Justice Center. He has lectured on the death penalty at the University of Chicago Law School, been active in death penalty litigation, and spoken extensively on this subject.
- David Bruck, Director of the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse at Washington & Lee School of Law and Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel. One of the country's leading experts on the death penalty, Mr. Bruck represented Susan Smith in her capital trial in South Carolina.
- Phoebe C. Ellsworth, Frank Murphy Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. A former professor at Yale and Stanford, Ms. Ellsworth specializes in law and psychology. She is a research expert on emotions and has written extensively on Americans' views on the death penalty.
- George Kendall, Special Pro Bono Counsel at Holland and Knight in New York. He formerly served as Death Penalty Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Mr. Kendall has defended death penalty defendants nationwide, particularly where racism has been a factor in the prosecution. He is a nationally recognized spokesman on the injustices of the death penalty.
- John R. MacArthur, President and Publisher of Harper's Magazine. Mr. MacArthur is the inspiration behind the Death Penalty Information Center. He has written on a wide variety of social justice issues.
- Michael Millman, Executive Director of the California Appellate Project. Mr. Millman oversees the efforts to assist private lawyers representing the more than 600 people on California's death row. He serves as President of the Board of the Death Penalty Information Center.
- Diann Rust-Tierney, Executive Director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Ms. Rust-Tierney is a nationally recognized spokeswoman on capital punishment and has led a number of legislative efforts to reform the nation's capital punishment laws.
- Christina Swarns, Death Penalty Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Ms. Swarns is an experienced capital litigator who formerly served as the Supervising Assistant Federal Defender in Philadelphia. Ms. Swarns most recently represented Nicholas Yarris who was exonerated from the Pennsylvania death row in February 2003.
- Ronald J. Tabak, Special Counsel and pro bono coordinator at the Law Firm of Skadden, Arps in New York City. Mr. Tabak is a veteran of capital litigation, and has been instrumental in drafting American Bar Association positions on capital punishment as chair of the Section of Individual Rights & Responsibilities' Death Penalty Committee.
Related Items
Richard Dieter
Executive Director
Richard Dieter has been the Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center since 1992. A graduate of Georgetown Law School, he is also an adjunct professor at the Catholic University Law School. Click here for extended biography.
Corinne Farrell
Communications and Education Director
Corinne Farrell has a background in both Higher Education and Criminal Justice systems. Her diverse and extensive work experience maintains a focus on students and social justice issues, ranging from work at Universities to work on death penalty cases. Her education includes an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from New York University and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Florida State University.
Elaine de Leon
Research and Information Specialist
Elaine de Leon is a recent graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, where she earned a Master of Theological Studies in the areas of religion, ethics, theology and public policy. She has worked with both faith-based and secular non-profit organizations on various issues related to the death penalty. Her interests in human rights also extend to refugees’ rights. In 2007, Elaine traveled to Cairo, Egypt where she worked with a local NGO that provides humanitarian aid and relief to North African refugees who have settled in the area.
John Wenz
Special Projects Assistant
John Wenz earned a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His experience includes a wide range of work in media and journalism, with a focus on new media. His background also includes work on the issues of media reform and community radio, working with under-represented communities on issues of social and economic justice as they relate to the media.