Death penalty deterance studies

[Maverick]

Here it is confirmed by several studies taken over a period of years. Interesting that the conclusions are criticised not because the dat is wrong but the conclusion is not the one that the critics want to hear. Their minds are made up, don't bother them with facts.

"Instead of people sitting down and saying 'let's see what the data shows,' it's people sitting down and saying 'let's show this is wrong,'" said Paul Rubin, an economist and co-author of an Emory University study. "Some scientists are out seeking the truth, and some of them have a position they would like to defend."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070611/ap_on_re_us/death_penalty_deterrence_4&printer=1;_ylt=AhDbh2ygngCskRLSHe2PUoVH2ocA

[Xargos]

I worked on death row for three years and I can tell you that most inmates are on it for political reasons and not for the crimes they committed.  I have seen many inmates on the yard who have committed much worse crimes.  Most inmates in S.C. are Black, but when I was working death row most inmates on it were White...Go figure.

P.S.  I believe in the death penalty, but it should be handed out because of the crime you committed and no other reason.

[Shuckins]

There is an inmate in my brother's prison unit, which is located beside our juvenile unit, who has 85 charges againt him for committing violent attacks against  other inmates since he has be incarcerated.

It's only a matter of time before he kills someone.  He has a life-sentence for murder and he just doesn't care about the consequences of his actions.

This type of thug preys on the younger, less-powerful inmates;  raping, beating, and the like.  

The only way society will ever be safe from him is for him to be executed.  He has a following....and the only thing that will deter them from following his example, is for him to be executed.

With the prevalence of DNA evidence in most capital cases these days, it is far more unlikely than ever before that an innocent man will be wrongly put to death.  If DNA evidence tying a suspect to a murder is not available, and eye-witnesses are not available, then a suspect should not be given the death penalty.

Believe me, execution is the one thing that actually impresses the hardened cons that are in our prisons.

[Sixpence]

Instead of studies, wouldn't it be easier to look at the states that have the death penalty and those that don't and look at the murder rate of those states?

[LePaul]

I think it was reported this week that Texas is cruising thru executions this year.  There are other states that have the death penalty but for a variety of political reasons, dont carry out the sentence.

I'd rather see justice served.  Because when I hear news stories like the "BTK" killer getting privleges (cable TV, painting supplies, etc) for "good behavior"....I just groan.

[DiabloTX]

I've NEVER thought of the death penalty as a deterent for those that are violent, they are going commit violence anyway.  I've always looked at it as fit punishment for a violent crime i.e. murder in the first, etc.

BUT I only support it when evidence is solid, thorough, and convincing and not hearsay, witness testimony only, coincidence, or mere circumstance.  There must be overwhelming evidence to get the death penalty.

"The death penalty, that's no penalty.  If you get it you're out of the game!"

(Name the movie)

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Shuckins
There is an inmate in my brother's prison unit, which is located beside our juvenile unit, who has 85 charges againt him for committing violent attacks against  other inmates since he has be incarcerated.

It's only a matter of time before he kills someone.  He has a life-sentence for murder and he just doesn't care about the consequences of his actions.

This type of thug preys on the younger, less-powerful inmates;  raping, beating, and the like.  

The only way society will ever be safe from him is for him to be executed.  He has a following....and the only thing that will deter them from following his example, is for him to be executed.

With the prevalence of DNA evidence in most capital cases these days, it is far more unlikely than ever before that an innocent man will be wrongly put to death.  If DNA evidence tying a suspect to a murder is not available, and eye-witnesses are not available, then a suspect should not be given the death penalty.

Believe me, execution is the one thing that actually impresses the hardened cons that are in our prisons.

Sounds good.

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Sixpence
Instead of studies, wouldn't it be easier to look at the states that have the death penalty and those that don't and look at the murder rate of those states?

Good point...

Hmm...

This indicates that, over this period, the percentage difference that the murder rates of the death penalty states, were higher than the murder rates of the abolitionist states, grew at at least the rate at which the numbers of US "executions" grew.

http://davecoop.net/rate.htm


http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=168&scid=12

[Toad]

One study showed incontrovertibly that recidivism is 0% in every case where a murderer is executed.

[Mr No Name]

Originally posted by Toad
One study showed incontrovertibly that recidivism is 0% in every case where a murderer is executed.

Dangit... you beat me to it!

[flakbait]

I preferred the bumper sticker:

The death penalty isn't for making an example. It's for making bad people dead!

-----------------------
Flakbait [Delta6]

[lasersailor184]

We had this argument before.  I did a little research because of it.

Out of all the murders / killings, less then 0.001% of those guilty are executed.  




It can't possibly be a deterrent if it's a 1/100,000 chance of being executed if found guilty.

[FiLtH]

Id rather the violent criminal be put to death than hang around costing us money to keep him alive taking up space. Whether or not it makes crimes rates drop, one thing for sure is it thins out the criminals. And Im ok with that.

[Xargos]

Last I heard it cost three times more to execute an inmate then to house one for life because of all the extra court cost.  But I think it's worth it.

If anything the fact that a State has the Death Penalty gives the prosecutor more weapons to get confessions or turn criminals on each other.

[Toad]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
Out of all the murders / killings, less then 0.001% of those guilty are executed.  

Then .001% of the guilty are absolutely guaranteed to never, ever murder anyone else.

It's not about deterrence.

It's not about revenge.

It's about making sure they never, ever kill again.