NCJ Number
45180
Journal
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS Volume: 6 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (SUMMER/ WINTER 1977) Pages: 145-152
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN CANADA ARE REVIEWED, AND CANADIAN DATA ARE USED TO TEST A MODEL OF THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE DEATH PENALTY.
Abstract
IN DECEMBER 1967, THE DEATH PENALTY IN CANADA WAS LIMITED TO CASES INVOLVING THE DEATH OF POLICE OR PRISON OFFICERS. THIS LIMITATION WAS TO REMAIN IN OPERATION FOR 5 YEARS. AT THE END OF THAT PERIOD, THE LAW WAS TO REVERT TO THE EARLIER SITUATION, IN WHICH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT COULD ALSO APPLY TO MURDERS THAT WERE PLANNED AND DELIBERATE AND/OR COMMITTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES -- UNLESS PARLIAMENT INTERVENED IN THE INTERIM. A DEBATE BETWEEN ABOLITIONISTS AND RETENTIONISTS IN PARLIAMENT ENSUED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO EXECUTIONS IN CANADA SINCE 1964. ALTHOUGH, IN REALITY, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS NO LONGER A PART OF CANADIAN PENAL PROCEDURES, THE DEBATE CONTINUES. AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO USE CANADIAN DATA ON HOMICIDE RATES, CONVICTIONS, AND EXECUTIONS TO TEST THE DETERRENCE HYPOTHESIS. HOWEVER, THE CANADIAN DATA ARE SAID TO BE EVEN WEAKER THAN THE AMERICAN DATA AND UNLIKELY TO LEAD TO A RESOLUTION OF THE DETERRENCE ISSUE. A TABLE AND A LIST OF REFERENCE ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)