Legal Commentary

Why Can't Death Row Inmates Donate Organs?

By Jeralyn

Christian Longo is one of 35 men on death row in Oregon. He and about half of the others want to donate their organs after they are executed, to help save the lives of others who need organ transplants. There's no law preventing it, but prisons across the country won't accept their requests. Here is his op-ed in today's New York Times.

Christian is not seeking a sentence reduction or special treatment. He's abandoned his appeals.

I spend 22 hours a day locked in a 6 foot by 8 foot box on Oregon’s death row. There is no way to atone for my crimes, but I believe that a profound benefit to society can come from my circumstances. I have asked to end my remaining appeals, and then donate my organs after my execution to those who need them. But my request has been rejected by the prison authorities.

He has started an organization called GAVE, Gifts of
Anatomical Value from Everyone.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 06, 2011 (boomark / email).