The Death Penalty is Not Effective

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The death penalty is one of the most controversial topics in the criminal justice system. Does it really deter crime? Is it cost effective? Are those being charged being fairly represented? These are a few questions brought to mind when considering the effectiveness of this punitive punishment. When considering if capital punishment deters death penalty crimes there are many factors to look into. Many views supporting the penalty are simply because people think it saves other lives and cuts down on murder rates. This, however, is untrue. The view that capital punishment deters crime is based on belief, not evidence. (Donohue,Wolfers,2006) A group of studies done by a group of Emory University, called the Emory studies, has given four difference works and shown deterrence rates for the country. The first study used 3,054 counties in a span of 19 years (1977-1996) to conclude that both sentences and executions lower homicide rates. (Radelet,Laycock,2009) The second study used monthly murder and execution data from 1977 to 1999 to prove that each sentence led to 4.5 fewer murders and actual execution leading to three fewer murders.(Radelet,Laycock,2009) The third study proved that when the death penalty was banned that murder rates when up in 91% of the states, and when it was reinstated 70% of states homicide rates when back down. In the last report, the Emory group found that deterrence is only prevalent when a state has nine or more executions a year. When there was less than nine the deterrent effect was nonexistent or murder rates actually increased in the response to the executions.(Radelet,Laycock,2009) Many other studies on deterrence have proven similar things. Paul Zimmerman did a study and initially thought each exe... ... middle of paper ... ...er states are enforcing capital punishment, the irreversible punishment's effectiveness is declining. There is not any proof of deterrence and it is exponentially expensive. Capital punishment has taken innocent lives and may continue to do so. Considering these three factors concludes that the death penalty is not effective and in the coming years it will continue to decline in effectiveness. Works Cited Richard C. Dieter, 2004. Innocence and the Crisis in American Death Penalty Richard C. Dieter, 2009. Smart on Crime, Reconsidering the Death Penalty in a Time of Economic Crisis. John J. Donohue, Justin Wolfers (2006). The Death Penalty: No Evidence for Deterrence. Traci L. Laycock, Michael L. Radlet, (2009). Recent Developments. The Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology. 99 , pp.489-508 Deathpenaltyinfo.org/innocence-and-death-penalty

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