NCJ Number
183074
Editor(s)
Richard C. Monk
Date Published
1998
Length
22 pages
Annotation
A writer for the Washington Post examines specific capital punishment cases, statistics, and statements made by U.S. Supreme Court justices and prosecutors, and concludes that capital punishment is bad policy, while a professor analyzes objections to capital punishment and contends that the death penalty deters criminals and is just retribution for terrible crimes.
Abstract
In 1968, only 38 percent of Americans supported capital punishment for certain crimes. In the 1990's, polls showed 75 to 80 percent supported capital punishment. Since the late 1960's, Americans have become more conservative and fear of crime has increased. Therefore, criminologists have studied the effectiveness of capital punishment, especially in States where capital punishment is used and violent crime rates are still high. The Washington Post writer criticizes capital punishment on grounds related to cruel and unusual punishment, democratic values, equal protection under the law, aggravating and mitigating factors, and its demonstrated ineffectiveness as a deterrent. The professor cites objections to capital punishment, such as unfair distribution, excessive costs, and brutal nature but still feels that capital punishment has deterrent value. He believes that if capital punishment deters only one murder per year, its use is warranted. 5 notes