1

Community and Systems Analysis Paper

Hannah Sawyer, Emily Lundy, Selina Franklin, Rhianna Solida, Anna Williams, Lauren

McCaskill

College of Social Work, University of South Carolina

SOWK 412: Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities

Professor Jennifer McArdle

March 1, 2024

Community and Systems Analysis Paper

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"South Carolina Alternatives to the Death Penalty" (SCADP, 2024) was founded in 1976

by Ron Kaz. The group lobbied to end capital punishment and relied on community outreach and

support. The organization became inactive in 2013 and revitalized again in 2021 after South

Carolina passed the Senate 200 Bill. This bill expedited the timeline of executions by forcing

inmates on death row to choose between a firing squad or an electric chair if the resources for

lethal injection are inaccessible. SCADP's mission statement is "to abolish the death penalty and

catalyze criminal justice reform" (Our History, n.d., 2024). Their mission has four phases:

rehumanize, advocate, mobilize, and restore.

After partnering with Reverend Hillary Taylor, SCADP's 2024 head organizer, our group

worked to analyze the community of Lexington to find the best location to hold educational

SCADP events. The goal of these info-seminars is to raise awareness about the discriminatory

and inhumane practices of the death penalty. Reverend Taylor wanted our group to focus on

Lexington County because it has the most individuals on death row in South Carolina.

Our identified target population is white, middle-class evangelical believers with

conservative political ideals. We chose the ZIP code 29072 because it is a wealthy and white

area. It encompasses the heart of downtown Lexington and features dozens of evangelical

churches. Our group decided to focus on large "mega-churches" because, statistically, they have

the most members, the highest participation rates, and the greatest access to resources.

The Aiken's Brief of 1972 utilized a human-rights approach and claimed the application

of the death penalty was "cruel and barbaric" and disproportionally affected people of color and

lower socioeconomic statuses (Jouet, 2022). During our meetings with Hillary, she stated that the

intersectionality between race and the death penalty remains a constant barrier to people of color.

According to a South Carolina data collection study conducted in 2018, 53% of inmates

on death row are black, and 3% are of Hispanic descent (Justice 360, 2018). These statistics
 3

demonstrate that over half of the individuals on death row are people of color. Approximately

41% of African American males on death row were convicted and sentenced for killing a white

victim in addition to coming from a lower socioeconomic background (Justice 360, 2018). This

further supports our conclusion of the underlying racial biases that surround the death penalty

punishment.

Evaluation of Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Age and Sex in Lexington County

As of 2020, Lexington County has 304,797 residents of all ages and sexes. The median

age is 39.6, and most of the residents are male (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022a). The focal point of

this paper is middle-aged citizens, who make up most of the population of Lexington County (see

Appendix A).

Educational Attainment in Lexington County

According to the Census data for the zip code 29072 in Lexington County, 23,859 people

aged 18 to 24 have some education (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022b). Approximately 2,733

individuals ages 18 to 24 have bachelor's degrees. 39,151 people ages 25 to 34 have either a high

school or bachelor's degree. 52,883 individuals 65 years or older have either a high school or a

bachelor's degree. 162, 249 Caucasian individuals have some form of high school or higher

educational degree. 30,516 African Americans residing in the 29072 ZIP code have some form of

high school or higher educational degree (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022b). This shows the

educational disparities people of color face regularly (see Appendix B).

Financial Data in Lexington County

Within this data set, the subcategories are broken up by occupied housing units and then

broken down by owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing units (See Appendix C). Per

Hillary's request, observation focused on middle-class households' census data ranging from
 4

43,000 to 130,000. When narrowing down the income group, we found that the total occupied

housing contributed to 92,524 of 122,936 occupied housing units. Out of the 92,524, owner-

occupied housing units consisted of 71,499 occupants. On the other hand, renter-occupied

housing units had about 21,007 occupants. Out of owner-occupied housing units, the $100,000 to

$149,999 financial bracket held most middle-class families within the $43,000 to $130,000 range

(U.S. Census Bureau, 2022c).

When looking at the renter-occupied housing units, the bracket of household income

consisting of most households was $35,000 to $49,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022c). Due to

Hillary's original target population request, energy focused on middle-class income households

will be the most successful since it covers most occupied households within Lexington County.

Asset Map Evaluation

The Asset Map documented where detention centers, transportation resources, and

churches are in the Lexington 29072 area. There is a large variety of churches of many different

denominations. Such denominations in the area are Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic,

Methodist, and Jehovah's Witness. Most churches are in the downtown area. There were no cited

bus stops, which could cause a transportation issue (see Appendix D).

Windshield Map Evaluation

The 29072 is a middle-class area. There are a variety of shops, restaurants, and churches

in the area. The sidewalks are well-groomed, and there are affordable apartment living options.

The judicial buildings are grouped in the same parking lot, allowing for easy access and reduced

confusion. Several medium- to large-sized rivers are scattered around the ZIP code. Most

neighborhoods have clean and well-maintained front lawns. Sidewalks can be found all over the
 5

ZIP code, allowing for convenient foot or bike traffic. The schools do not appear to have been

recently renovated but are kept in fair shape (see Appendix E).

Transportation Availability

In Lexington County, there are a total of 287,678 people who reported having no vehicle

or one to three vehicles available to them (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022d). Within the 287,678 total,

8,790 people reported having no vehicle available, and 278,888 people reported having up to

three vehicles available (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022d). Public transportation is limited throughout

the city, with few public bus stops located in front of churches. This makes it difficult for people

to attend in-person advocacy efforts if they do not own private transportation.

Computer and Technology Access in Lexington County

The following 2022 statistics show the availability of computers and other technology in

Lexington County households. With 96.9% of households having internet subscriptions, most

households own a computer or other technology (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022e). This information

will help us decide how best to use social media to connect with our audience and demonstrate

the accessibility of technology in the region (see Appendix G).

FBI Crime Reporter Data

According to data provided by the FBI Crime Data Reporter, most violent crimes in

Lexington County are committed by white offenders, representing 389 of the 603 violent crimes

in 2022 (Crime Data Explorer 2022). This is followed by Black offenders, representing 210 of

the 603 violent crimes committed in 2022. Following the trend, victims of violent crime in

Lexington County in 2022 are represented by many white victims, 489 of the 748, and Black

victims 257 (see Appendix H). This aligns with the data we have found that states that Lexington

County is primarily white. Additionally, we found that weapons used in violent crime are mostly
 6

handguns, representing 187 of the 593 crimes committed with weapons, followed by personal

weapons, representing 149, and knives/cutting objects, blunt objects, and general firearms,

representing a substantial portion of the rest (see Appendix I).

Also, according to this data set, violent crime is most often linked to

destruction/damage/vandalism of property being the most prevalent, and kidnapping/abduction,

drug/narcotic violations, weapon law violations, and burglary/breaking representing a smaller

portion of linkages to violent crime in Lexington County (Crime Data Explorer 2022) (see

Appendix I) and according to the summary of crime in Lexington County provided by the

Lexington County Sheriff's office, reported crime rates have risen at a steeper rate in the previous

two years than those prior (other than the sharp increase between the years 2014 and 2015). We

can also see that most crimes reported in Lexington County are unclear from the offender. This

means most offenders are convicted of the crimes reported against them (Crime Data Explorer

2022) (see Appendix J). This data gives us a better idea of the crime in Lexington County, which

might lead to a death sentence. This can also give us a better idea of the public opinions

surrounding violent crimes, race, and the disparities that the citizens of Lexington County are

experiencing regarding race, crime, and sentencing.

Cultural Analysis and Power Assessment

Reverend Taylor, leader of SCADP, tasked our group with targeting White, middle-aged

conservatives with Evangelical beliefs. She stated that this population of people is the most

resistant to the abolition of the death penalty. When our group was evaluating the power

dynamics of our target population, we had to consider the advantages of being a White individual

in America. People of color are largely misrepresented and discriminated against in society and

judicial processes. This is an important topic to include in educational SCADP events.

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Other areas of power imbalance include able-bodied vs disabled-bodied individuals and

access to transportation. When evaluating facilities to host SCADP events, it is essential to locate

areas with nearby public transportation, parking options, and handicap ramps for wheelchair

accessibility. By not considering these factors, we are limiting access to specific population

groups. If these educational events are recorded and uploaded online, it is important to recognize

that only some individuals have internet access or usage of laptops and cellular devices.

Theoretical Frameworks

Contingency Theory:

In the U.S., the death penalty has been contentious for over 60 years. Unlike countries

like Canada and Norway, which prioritize rehabilitation (Fattah, 1983), there is no conclusive

evidence that the death penalty reduces crime rates. Canada's abolition of the death penalty in

1976 did not lower homicide rates, highlighting how resource scarcity can drive governments

toward capital punishment (Williams et al., 2019), viewing it as permanently removing threats

and conserving communal resources.

The cultural dominance of white males in the United States significantly influences

attitudes toward the death penalty, often marginalizing perspectives from other cultural groups

(Fattah, 1983). With a long history of executions, the death penalty is deeply ingrained in the

nation's legal and cultural framework, reflecting societal reluctance to challenge established

norms (Fattah, 1983).

The application of the death penalty in the United States demonstrates the absence of a

universally effective approach to addressing severe crimes, with decision-making primarily

resting with the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court (Fattah, 1983). Contingency theory

provides insight into this debate, advocating for diverse strategies beyond capital punishment to
 8

address crime effectively (Fattah, 1983). While deterrence is often cited as a core justification for

the death penalty, evidence from countries like Canada challenges its effectiveness (Fattah,

1983). Additionally, the notion of closure for victims' families through capital punishment is

questioned, as research suggests it does not alleviate the pain of loss (Fattah, 1983).

Contingency theory underscores the importance of adaptable approaches based on

specific contexts, encouraging consideration of alternatives to the death penalty (Fattah, 1983).

This perspective promotes evidence-based inquiry into the efficacy and morality of capital

punishment, suggesting reinvestment in the prison system for rehabilitation programs as a more

humane and potentially more effective justice solution (Fattah, 1983). By embracing contingency

theory, societies can better navigate capital punishment's complexities, emphasizing flexibility

and responsiveness to diverse circumstances (Fattah, 1983).

Organizational Theory:

When considering different theories that could benefit the development of SCADP,

organizational theory comes to mind alongside contingency theory. Organizational theory

encompasses the idea that since some methods or ideas have continued to be successful for an

organizational purpose, the methods used should not be changed. Instead, it should be adopted

by new members of the concerning problem (Netting et al., 2016). As organizational culture

develops through shared experiences, this theory can relate to the expectations held by Reverend

Hillary Taylor in the means of outreach and expanding her network.

Hillary is a staff member of one for SCADP, and her values align with the message she

shares with her peers and audience. When working with new organizations and individuals, she

likes to focus on those with conservative evangelical beliefs. Her purpose is the epitome of

organizational theory, as her religious beliefs and values heavily influence the work and

advocacy she accomplishes for those on death row in South Carolina. She continues to maintain
 9

relationships with those of similar beliefs for organizational support and lecture-based

opportunities.

Interviews of Community Members

Raymond Patterson

While interviewing Patterson, he talked about his experiences and the challenges he faced

before, during, and post-death row. Gaining a more holistic view of life on death row helps

readers put names and faces to the statistics they read. Raymond began the interview by

describing some of his childhood memories and experiences and their significant role in his life.

He described that growing up, he faced a lot of challenges. He grew up in a poor community,

never knew his father, and lived with his mom, sister, and abusive stepfather (R. Patterson,

personal communication, February 23, 2024).

Raymond felt like it was his duty to protect his family from abuse and poverty. To make

money and protect his family, he took to the streets. Raymond described "hustling" as a state of

survival, and the people he affiliated with made him angry and hardened inside (R. Patterson,

personal communication, February 23, 2024). During his arrest at an early age, he made it his

mission to get his GED, but conflicts within the school arose, and he was never able to complete

his degree. Raymond stated that he loves to learn and is always educating himself.

During his time in incarceration (37 years total), he stated that he hit rock bottom and

experienced a significant turning point when he discovered spirituality. After years of losing hope

and failed attempts to find peace, he wanted to find something greater than himself (R. Patterson,

personal communication, February 23, 2024). With the combined influence of Christian

volunteers coming into prison to preach the word of God and his own experience in asking God

to come into his life, he has become a better man, making one of his missions to help others find

God (R. Patterson, personal communication, February 23, 2024). Raymond would talk to his
 10

fellow inmates (and even some correction officers) about finding ways to cope and being the

person people came to vent and feel heard. This experience helped him build trust and respect

within himself and others. Raymond is happy that prison taught him many things, and he

developed from a boy into a man (R. Patterson, personal communication, February 23, 2024).

After coming out of prison two years ago, Raymond now works on building golf carts, is

a maintenance worker, and works in a restaurant. He still helps "counsel" those willing to ask for

help (R. Patterson, personal communication, February 23, 2024). Raymond stated that God put

him in prison for a reason and that God is not done with him yet. He has a few goals he is looking

forward to completing, such as building a house on his land and spreading love and hope to

others. When asked if Raymond used any programs that helped him once he left prison, he said

that there were some available, but he did not want to sit and wait for them to help, so he did it

himself (R. Patterson, personal communication, February 23, 2024).

Patterson has since found his way. He has a home, a car, bills to pay, insurance, and rent,

and he states that "he loves every part of it." He ended the interview by stating that although he

believes that some people are justified for being on death row, he thinks that the government

should still "do away with it." He said he thinks politicians use the concept of death row to get

elected (R. Patterson, personal communication, February 23, 2024). He thinks the system,

including rules and regulations, must be updated.

The scholarly article "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: An Exploration of Religious

Forces on Support for the Death Penalty" aligns with the lack of support Raymond has for the

death penalty. Raymond stated that the more he dedicates his time to religious activities, such as

praying and attending religious services, the less he supports the death penalty. This correlates

with the conclusion the article found, which stated that more dedication to religious activity
 11

decreases support for the death penalty.

Brian Kirkland

Kirkland's perspective on the death penalty has shifted over time. Kirkland stated he has

conservative ideals and used to believe in capital punishment's economic and systematic benefits.

He recognizes that the death penalty disproportionately affects people of color and acknowledges

that not every individual's crime on death row fits the capital punishment criteria (B. Kirkland,

personal communication, February 23, 2024). Kirkland attributed his perspective shift regarding

the death penalty to a news article he read a few years ago. The news article was written from the

perspective of an individual who carried out death penalty sentences. The mental and physical

toll of executing death row inmates, detailed in the article, weighed heavily on Kirkland's heart.

Kirkland admits to never considering the difference between being "pro-life" and "pro-

life behind bars." He understands both causes advocates for life and says he needs to educate

himself further on the issue before making a personal determination. (B. Kirkland, personal

communication, February 23, 2024). He assumes the difference in beliefs comes down to having

a voice. Unborn babies in a mother's womb are voiceless and are unable to communicate their

thoughts, opinions, and wishes. In contrast, individuals on death row went through legal trials

and were able to have legal representation. Kirkland acknowledges that wrongful convictions do

occur, which makes him hesitate.

Kirkland believes the church is an opportunity for people to unite under God and love

one another despite political affiliations. Radius Church has members from all political parties.

Kirkland believes churches are unwilling to take a stance on the death penalty to avoid isolating

or losing members of their congregation.

Brian has had several opportunities to work with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated

individuals. He states that incarcerated individuals are "some of the easiest people to spread the
 12

word of God because they recognize their faults and sins" (B. Kirkland, personal

communication, February 23, 2024). Whereas people who have not been incarcerated struggle to

recognize their shortcomings (see Appendix L).

Christina Isenhower

Isenhower's extensive knowledge of the death penalty and the surrounding social

identities that help advocate for the population was helpful when learning about this controversial

topic. When it comes to work that she has done involving educational advocacy, she only has a

little experience other than training people in the topic professionally. She did this by working on

a community remembrance project that led to events at surrounding Lexington libraries. During

these events, she would hold presentations and provide videos to help reach more people (C.

Isenhower, personal communication, February 28, 2024).

Other than doing these events, they have experienced difficulties putting the word out

since old methods do not serve as successful in present times. She continues to struggle with

incorporating ways to educate and promote these issues in a way that motivates younger people

to participate.

Another problem she has faced is engaging different individuals when they show interest.

As addressed in Obar Zube and Lampe's article, Advocacy 2.0: An Analysis of How Advocacy

Groups in the United States Perceive and Use Social Media as Tools for Facilitating Civic

Engagement and Collective Action, social media's open-platform function grants the ability to

empower and connect individuals as well as groups (Obar et al., 2012). One study mentioned that

when members of the fifty-three advocacy groups surveyed were asked about the benefits social

media provides to their organizations, the answer repeated most often suggested that social media

helps to strengthen outreach programs. Due to our proposed intervention, we believe using social

media will be beneficial in reaching our desired population as an advocacy effort. If younger
 13

individuals do come to their events from these flyers, they are usually less invested since it is

delivered in a way that promotes older individuals' engagement.

She admits that many of the people fighting for change regarding the death penalty tend

to be white conservative individuals. She also acknowledges that Lexington has many barriers

within the county itself. For example, there are many different legal systems since Lexington

County is so large (C. Isenhower, personal communication, February 28, 2024). Therefore, it has

proven challenging to facilitate change as many important channels of power must come to a

unanimous conclusion. These individuals are a barrier within themselves since most of them are

white conservative males.

Additionally, this has made her personal experience difficult as she is a white woman. In

her words, Christina sees this as a barrier because women must be more careful when addressing

such issues so as not to be seen as 'interlopers' (C. Isenhower, personal communication, February

28, 2024). Due to many of the people focusing on advocacy work within this subject area being

white, she had to learn how to take a step back. This was important because it is a system that

impacts African Americans more than white Americans. As a white woman, Isenhower hesitated

to lead advocacy efforts, aiming to avoid diminishing the experiences of people of color (C.

Isenhower, personal communication, February 28, 2024).

Another barrier to consider was that Lexington has a National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter. This can be both a barrier to the

advancement of support for abolishing the death penalty as well as a benefit to the community.

The benefit of this chapter existing is that they are getting involved with change work. However,

from a SCADP perspective, this can be difficult when making connections and getting help from

the Lexington NAACP. This is due to the workload of the NAACP, which is already doing so

much.
 14

In many conversations surrounding outreach, NAACP has already done or is doing work

around the issues addressed, and collaboration can be limited. Besides the barriers Isenhower has

experienced or witnessed, she recognizes that religious identity can help the advocacy work more

than harm it. It helps by connecting to the black community, as most of them are churchgoers.

This is beneficial as she has observed that Christians feel a responsibility to take part in these

issues (C. Isenhower, personal communication, February 28, 2024).

One way to supplement potential disconnects is addressed in Edgett's 2002 Journal,

Toward an Ethical Framework for Advocacy in Public Relations. Here, they discuss

interprofessional and open communication when participating in persuasive forms of advocacy,

which is important to maintain ethical practice. They theorized that sensitivity to self-

determination, respect for the client population, and consent are all invaluable in ethical advocacy

in a public setting (Edgett, 2022). From this framework, it can be understood that it is important

for any proposed advocacy intervention to work with other organizations and individuals to

ensure that efforts are culturally and personally sensitive and respectful and may have a more

effective impact on our target audience.

Conclusion

For this research assignment, our identified target population is white, middle-class,

evangelical conservatives residing in Lexington County's 29072 ZIP code. Our goal was to

identify potential places to host educational SCADP events. Upon our conversation with Hillary,

we focused on Evangelical "mega-churches" to hold these events.

After consulting with religious officials and completing an analysis of the community, we

discovered that hosting SCADP educational events at evangelical churches is not the best course

of action for spreading awareness of the discriminatory and inhumane practices of the death

penalty. We spoke to four evangelical churches within our identified ZIP code, who were all
 15

unwilling to host SCADP events because they did not want to take a stance on such a politically

divisive issue.

Going forward, our group would like to explore the idea of utilizing social media

platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to promote the SCADP's mission statement.

Social media is an effective resource for sharing ideas and values with a global audience and

expanding individuals' exposure to the latest information they may not seek out on their own.

References

Bones, P.D.C. and Sabriseilabi, S. (2018), Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: An Exploration

of Religious Forces on Support for the Death Penalty. Journal for the Scientific Study of

Religion, 57: 707-722. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12553

 16

Edgett, R. (2002). Toward an Ethical Framework for Advocacy in Public Relations. Journal of

Public Relations Research, 14(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532754XJPRR1401_1

Fattah, E. A. (1983). Canada’s successful experience with the abolition of the death penalty |

Office of Justice Programs. Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-

library/abstracts/canadas-successful-experience-abolition-death-penalty

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Crime Data in Lexington SC Reported by Lexington

County Sheriff’s Office 2012-2022. Crime Data Explorer.

https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend

Justice 360. (2018, February 14). South Carolina Death Penalty Fact Sheet.

https://justice360sc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Fact-Sheet-2018.02.14.pdf

Jouet, M. (2022). A Lost Chapter in Death Penalty History: Furman V. Georgia, Albert Camus,

and the Normative Challenge to Capital Punishment. American Journal of Criminal Law,

49(2), 119–176.

Netting, F. E., Kettner, P. M., Thomas, M. L., & McMurtry, S. L. (2016). Social Work Macro

practice. Pearson.

Obar, J. A., Zube, P., & Lampe, C. (2012, January 1). Advocacy 2.0: An Analysis of how

Advocacy Groups in the United States Perceive and Use Social Media as Tools

for Facilitating Civic Engagement and Collective Action. SSRN.

https;//ssrn.com/abstract=1956352

Our history: South Carolinians for alternatives to the death penalty. SCADP. (n.d.).

https://www.scadp.org/our-history

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Age and Sex. American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates

Subject Tables, Table S0101. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from

https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S0101?q=age and sex Lexington County sc.

 17

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Educational Attainment. American Community Survey, ACS 1-

Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S1501. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from

https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S1501?g=050XX00US45063.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Financial Characteristics. American Community Survey, ACS 1-

Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S2503. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from

https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S2503?g=050XX00US45063.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Means of Transportation to Work by Vehicles Available. American

Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Detailed Tables, Table B08141. Retrieved

March 13, 2024, from

https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2022.B08141?q=transportation in Lexington

South Carolina&g=050XX00US45063.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions. American

Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S2801, 2022,

https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S2801?g=050XX00US45063. Accessed on

March 13, 2024.

Williams, K. E. G., Votruba, A. M., Neuberg, S. L., & Saks, M. J. (2019). Capital and

punishment: Resource scarcity increases endorsement of the death penalty. Evolution and

Human Behavior, 40(1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2018.08.002

Appendix A

Census Data
 18

This data set includes the age and sex of the ZIP code 29072 population in 2022.

Appendix B

Census Data
 19

This data set includes the level of educational attainment of the ZIP code 29072 population in

2022.
 20

Appendix C

Census Data

This data set includes the financial characteristics of the ZIP code 29072 population in 2022.

Appendix D

Asset Map

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1q0HmwvuHtHnpGtFjVB9kIJhFFshq_W4&ll=33

.98254817775929%2C-81.24381259999998&z=13

This asset map shows physical points of interest in relation to our topic in the ZIP code 29072.
 21

Appendix E

Windshield and Walking Survey

This image shows what most houses look like within this ZIP code. This relates to our findings

since middle-class units are what we are focusing on.

This image shows how the neighborhood was divided into sections. This is important since it

shows the continuous growth within this ZIP code and how the updated sections differ in income

gaps.
 22

This image is an example of the growth within this area in Lexington. Middle-class families are

moving in and revamping the community, which leaves low-income families struggling as prices

increase for living.

In this area, there are several rivers scattered about. This is important for knowing geographical

areas, as living near water can pose higher living expenses.

This is an image of a community garden within Lexington. It shows that even though it is a town,

there are still means to provide fresh vegetables, not including going to the grocery store.

However, the ‘no trespassing’ sign can be seen as a barrier as the members of this garden you
 23

can assume have to pay a fee to garden there.

This is one of the many large churches in 29072, Mt. Horeb. This shows that the outreach in this

area will include religious implications.

The large elementary school shows that the area is growing as families move into the ZIP code.

There are many shopping centers in this area which makes it accessible since there are sidewalks

and safe pedestrian walkways.

 24

This Methodist Church in Lexington has a public bus stop. This allows us to see that there are

alternative means of transportation.

Lexington County Baptist church is another large congregation, strengthening religious ties that

can be made within the area.

This is the Lexington County Courthouse. The Lexington County Courthouse shares a parking

lot with the Lexington Country Tax Collector’s building and Lexington United Methodist

church. There are ramps leading up to the building ensuring accessibility for those with physical

disabilities and proper signage.

 25

The first two images show the Calvary Church of Lexington. The third picture is the view across

the street from Calvary Church. Calvary church is in the rural part of Lexington County. This

area of the 29072 ZIP code houses lower-income families.

.
 26

This sign shows advertising for a discount outlet store. It shows a well-groomed sidewalk that

allows for accessibility for those without transportation.

Aside from middle-class houses, this is an example of what apartment life looks like.

This is one of the largest churches in the area. They were unwilling to lend their room to hold our

lecture, which led us to find a different path through social media.

This bumper sticker contributes to the political views of the majority conservatives within this

area.
 27

Appendix F

Census Data

This data set includes the means of transportation available to the ZIP code 29072 population in

2022 (Census Bureau, 2022).

 28

Appendix G

Census Data

This data set includes access to computers and internet subscriptions of the ZIP code 29072

population in 2022.

Appendix H

FBI Crime Reporter Data

 29

Appendix H. An illustration of race of violent crime offenders and victims in Lexington County,

SC in 2022.

Appendix I

FBI Crime Reporter Data

Appendix H. An illustration of type of weapons and linked offenses pertaining to violent crime

in Lexington, SC in 2022 (FBI, 2022).

Appendix J

FBI Crime Reporter Data

 30

Appendix J. Summary of crime reported by Lexington County Sheriff’s office between the years

2012 and 2022.

Appendix K

Interview Questions and Interviewee Description

Raymond Patterson, 58, African American, Christian Baptist, Male, single, abilities are “a few

and thriving”, lower-middle class, golf cart service and maintenance worker as well as working

in a restaurant.

1. I am interested in understanding the different experiences that shape us. Could you share

some of your childhood memories or experiences that you think played a significant role

in your life?

2. What was your friend group like growing up?

3. What is your education?

4. Everyone’s childhood has moments that stand out or influence us in numerous ways. Are

there any experiences from your early years that you feel have been particularly

impactful in your life?

5. In the email about you, it stated that you have hit rock bottom and then experienced a

significant turning point when you discovered spirituality. Can you walk us through that

moment and how it changed your outlook on life?

6. Was your family religious?

7. Was there anything that led you to find God in prison other than your intuition?

8. While on death row, you faced many hardships. Can you describe what your daily life

was like and how you coped with the reality of your situation?

9. Were there resources for people to vent about their feelings in prison? Therapy??
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a. Does he feel able to talk to people now?

10. Did you deal with any discrimination throughout your time in the prison system?

a. How did he build that relationship?

11. What is your occupation now?

12. Explain the process of being exonerated?

13. Do you have any goals?

14. Were there any reparations from coming out of prison? What kind of help was there

when you left?

15. Do you talk to people in prison?

16. Is death row reasonable?

Appendix L

Interview Questions and Interviewee Description

Brian Kirkland, white middle-aged male, Pastor at Radius church, father of two adopted kids,

holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Clemson University, and a master's in biblical

Exegesis from Wheaton College:

****Brian Speaks on behalf of himself only. These are not the opinions of Radius Church****

1. From a religious perspective, what is your view on Capital Punishment (Death Penalty?)

2. Do you believe there is a difference between being “pro-life” and “pro-life behind bars?”

3. Why do you think religious organizations are afraid to take a stance on the death penalty?

4. Have you had any experience working with incarcerated or formerly incarcerated

individuals? If so, what was that experience like?

Appendix M
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Interview Questions and Interviewee Description

Christina Isenhower, white middle-aged woman, SCADP board member, corporate consultant at

First Sun Employee Assistance Program, and holds a master’s in social work from the University

of South Carolina.

1. If you are comfortable, please share some of your social identities and whether these

identities might have help you in advocating against the death penalty.

2. Was there an event or something similar that has shaped your interest in advocating

against the death penalty?

3. What advocacy efforts have you been a part of?

4. What is your experience with educational advocacy?

5. Do you have experience advocating against the death penalty in Lexington? What has

that looked like in means of outcome and support?

6. What advocacy tactics do you see as being most successful?

7. Are there any populations that you feel are the most receptive to this kind of outreach?

8. Thoughts on how religious identity and experiences have impacted the experience with

advocacy.