DANBURY, CONN. — Supporters of the death penalty often argue it is a deterrent to crime and an appropriate punishment for the taking of a life. And many in law enforcement, according to Dr. George Kain, assistant professor of justice and law administration at Western Connecticut State University, believe that it is not only justification, but it also provides extra protection for police officers.

Kain used to think that too. But, he said, the statistics are no longer adding up. A former probation officer with degrees in counseling and criminal justice, Kain said he now sees many reasons — starting with wrongful convictions — why the death penalty no longer fits into our society. And colleague Terrence Dwyer, a WCSU assistant professor of justice and law administration who worked in law enforcement for more than two decades, agrees.

“Sometimes do we get it wrong? Are there flaws in the system? Yes, there are,” said Dwyer, adding that is one of the reasons the public needs to be educated on the pros and cons of capital punishment.

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, Kain and Dwyer will hold a symposium on the death penalty. “Law Enforcement and the Death Penalty: Concerns and Issues in Light of Recent Developments” will be held in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.

Speakers will include: Kain, as panel moderator; Dwyer, a former New York State Police Major Crimes Investigator; Connecticut Superior Court Judge Hon. Charles Gill; Branford Police Chief John DeCarlo; Gregg Everett of the Connecticut Board of Parole; Rev. Walter Everett, retired minister and surviving family homicide victim member; and James Diamond, criminal defense and former state’s attorney.

“WestConn is getting more involved in this death penalty issue,” Kain said. “The public needs to be educated because the facts are changing.” Kain also was involved in bringing former death-row inmate Juan Melendez to speak at WestConn in November about spending 17 years on Florida’s death row for a crime he didn’t commit.

With more and more stories like Melendez’s surfacing in recent years, the death penalty, Kain said, continues to be a hot topic of debate. In Connecticut, the case of serial rapist and murderer Michael Ross brought the issue to the local forefront. Ross was put to death in 2004 after numerous appeals and public outcries.

Dwyer said that there are cases in Connecticut that have been dragging on for years, whereas across the border in New York, which has no death penalty, cases are disposed of much more quickly — sometimes in the same year in which the crime is committed. Another misconception surrounding the death penalty debate, Dwyer pointed out, is that prisons are “country clubs” where prisoners work out, study, read and hang out with pals. “Some of these criminals never again see the light of day,” he said.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-3278.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.