Exploring Trauma Through Witnessing Executions: Sandra Joy’s Pioneering Research
Meet Sandra Joy, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at Rowan University’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences who is delving into the profound impact of witnessing executions through her project, Bearing Witnesses.
Dr. Joy’s research began with a deeply personal experience. After agreeing to witness an execution on behalf of a concerned mother of a Delaware death row inmate, Joy was struck by the emotional weight of the event. This led to a nationwide exploration of how witnessing executions affects people, regardless of their role or reason for being there.
Traveling across the country in an RV with her dog, Joy has conducted numerous interviews with witnesses. The research aims to capture the psychological and emotional impacts on these individuals, showing that the effects extend beyond states where executions are carried out. Future plans include a film and a book that will present these findings, contributing crucial perspectives to the ongoing dialogue about the death penalty and its societal consequences.
Written by: Hanisha Hanumanula, master’s in Computer Science