Brother of the “Unabomber” to Discuss Death Penalty

Newswise — David Kaczynski, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty (NYADP), himself the target of violence and the brother of the "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski, will be the presenter at the discussion group entitled " On Settling the Score: Crime, Punishment, and the Death Penalty" on Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. as part of the American Psychoanalytic Association's 2008 Winter Meeting to be held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Media are invited to attend. For a complete listing of sessions open to the press, visit http://www.apsa.org/MEETINGSANDEVENTS/PRESSRELEASES/tabid/445/Default.aspx.

This discussion group focuses on issues of punishment with a focus on the death penalty. In addition to Mr. Kaczynski, other presenters will include representatives from Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation (MVFR) and NYADP.

"The death penalty, like all forms of punishment, promises to both deter and to provide retributive satisfaction. Deterrence has not been demonstrated. This leaves us with retribution. For many of us, the pursuit of retribution only seems to perpetuate the violence that triggered it. As psychoanalysts in this discussion group, we mean to question what sustains punishments that fail to deliver on what they promise, punishments grounded in illusion," commented psychoanalyst Donald Moss, M.D., Chair of the discussion group.

Media must email Dottie Jeffries to obtain a press pass.

The American Psychoanalytic Association is a professional organization of psychoanalysts throughout the United States and is comprised of approximately 3,500 members. The Winter Meeting of the American Psychoanalytic Association is intended for the continuing education of the members and other registrants. Visit www.apsa.org for more information.