NCJ Number
10804
Date Published
1972
Length
229 pages
Annotation
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND HOMICIDE RATES ARE ANALYZED, INCLUDING CHANGES IN CRIMES OF VIOLENCE FROM 1962 TO 1970.
Abstract
THE ASSERTION THAT MURDER IS INCREASING IN CANADA AND THAT SUCH AN INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS STUDIED. THIS DOCUMENT DISCUSSES THE RATIONALE ON THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND VARIABLES RELATED TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DETERRENCE. DATA IS PRESENTED ON THE GENERAL PATTERN OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE IN THE COUNTRY, AND IS ALSO BROKEN DOWN INTO CHANGES IN CRIME RATES IN THE VARIOUS CANADIAN PROVINCES. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT 'THE INCREASE IN CRIMINAL HOMICIDE IN CANADA DURING RECENT YEARS CANNOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE SUSPENSION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT'. SUPPORTING STATEMENTS ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)