Rev. Jeff Hood

Jeff Hood, an Old Catholic priest and death row spiritual advisor, shares his profound experiences with capital punishment and racial justice. He recounts his journey from conservative roots to radical activism influenced by community and tragic events. Jeff illustrates the emotional toll of sitting in execution chambers and the complex humanity of inmates. He discusses the challenges of being a white Southern reverend advocating for justice and how capital punishment reflects America’s troubling trajectory toward violence.

Rais Bhuiyan, a post-9/11 hate crime survivor, advocates against the death penalty, recounting his powerful journey of forgiveness towards his attacker. He reveals how his campaign led to European firms' bans on execution drugs and discusses states' shady tactics for procuring lethal chemicals. Rev. Jeff Hood shares harrowing experiences from witnessing executions, highlighting their gruesome realities and the emotional toll on witnesses. Together, they explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding lethal injection and the declining fate of capital punishment.

Rev. Jeff Hood, an anti-death penalty activist, discusses the controversial execution of Kenneth Smith using nitrogen gas in Alabama and shares his experiences supporting inmates during executions. The episode explores the physical reactions of the inmate, concerns raised by the United Nations, and the public debate surrounding the execution. It also emphasizes the importance of compassion and love towards all individuals involved in the process.