NCJ Number
102398
Date Published
1985
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report by Alaska's legislative research agency reviews studies that compare murder rates in States with and without capital punishment, studies that examine the court costs of capital punishment cases, those that compare the incarceration costs on death row with life-imprisonment costs, and studies of death row inmates.
Abstract
Sellin's comparison of Michigan homicide rates (no capital punishment) with Ohio's and Indiana's (capital punishment) homicide rates for 1920-1974 shows no significant difference among the States. Studies of murder rates for police officers, inmates, and prison personnel in States that limit capital punishment to these offenses do not indicate that these murder rates are significantly less in States with capital punishment. Studies of murder rates before and after a jurisdiction introduces capital punishment do not show a significant deterrent effect. Only Isaac Ehrlich's study concludes that capital punishment deters crime, and criticism of his methods and findings have been extensive. The 1982 study by the New York State Defenders Association of the costs of litigating a capital punishment case indicates a minimum of $1.8 million would be spent for the prosecution, defense, and court costs through trial, appeal, and Supreme Court decision. Alaska's cost for keeping an inmate on death row over an 8-year capital litigation could total $371,200 - $494,400. Forty years of regular incarceration would total approximately $1,236,920. Tabular data and 28 footnotes.