A total of 17 people in Oregon’s prisons are on death row.
Democrat Kate Brown, who has less than a month left as Oregon’s governor, says the decision will take effect Wednesday.
“It has long been my belief that justice is not achieved by taking a life and that the state should not be in the business of executing people – even if they are imprisoned for heinous crimes,” Brown said in a statement.
Vikki Breese-Iverson, who is the Republican leader in the Oregon House of Representatives, is critical of the decision and accuses Brown of acting recklessly.
“She does not consider the suffering that victims and families will experience in the months and years to come. Democrats have consistently chosen criminals over victims,” said Vikki Breese-Iverson.
Oregon has not executed a prisoner since 1997. So far this year, a total of 17 people have been executed in the United States, all by lethal injection.