United States

This series documents capital punishment in the United States (with the exception of Wyoming) and in a small number of foreign countries. Coverage of Massachusetts is extensive. Topics covered include capital punishment, civil rights, crime and justice, government, government officials, and individuals and organizations opposed to capital punishment.

Researchers should be aware that there is some overlap between this series and Series 2. This series contains sparse correspondence with some individuals documented in Series 2, Subseries B. Series 2, Subseries C contains material largely related to Massachusetts. Files on the United Prison Association and the Massachusetts Correctional Association are located in Series 2, Subseries A. Audiotapes relating to the Norfolk Lifers Group (7 cassettes) and Radio Free Norfolk (2 cassettes) can be found in Series 6.

Although correspondence and publications generated by the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and the Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty are concentrated in Series 4, small amounts also appear in this series and in Series 2.