Nathan Moore's Thoughts
The Death Penalty is Not a Deterrent
Michael Silence cites the following from Southern Studies
The South accounts for over 80% of the executions, but has the highest murder rates. The Northeast accounts for only 1% of executions, and has the lowest murder rates. Police chiefs rank reducing drug abuse and better economic conditions as the top two ways to reduce violent crime. The death penalty is ranked dead last. Here are some other interesting facts about the death penalty (PDF format).
I think the point is missed, as the death penalty is seldom advocated as a deterrent. Deterrence is but one of three of the primary theories behind criminal justice, with the other two being rehabilitation and retributivism. The death penalty is the latter. In economic terms, it is just that the offender suffer a loss of utility equal to the loss he inflicted on society. Certain degrees of homicide demand the death penalty. That’s the point.
As far as deterrence, many studies have been conducted showing that the frequency of arrest affects recidivism more than the harshness of the punishment inflicted when caught. This deterrent effect tends to fall off for more violent offenses. But that’s not what the post Silence links to is about. It seems to focus more on implying (through that final link) that the death penalty is racist, or that its sole purposes is deterrence.
Yes, the South executes more individuals than northern states. A finer sense of justice is nothing to be ashamed of - the proper question to ask is why other states are so hesitant to impose the ultimate penalty when deserved for the most heinous crimes.
Advancing convenient correlations to support one’s cause without any substantiating data or control groups is misleading. Sadly, it’s altogether a common clarion call for opponents of capital punishment. The best argument to be made against it is the certainty or uncertainty of guilt. This problem can be resolved with the use of DNA evidence when available. Otherwise, I cannot find a palatable moral argument to oppose capital punishment any more than I can condone the underlying crimes that result in it.
UPDATE Perhaps this guy would make a good anniversary execution (though I don’t think he’ll make it in time)
FURTHER UPDATE It appears that North Carolina will be the state that makes 1,000.
Link found via MooreHeadlines.
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December 1st, 2005 at 6:30 pm
This article from RealClearPolitcs http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-11_20_05_DS.html highlights one powerful argument for the death penalty. This delightfuil fellow has been responsible for three deaths SINCE he was incarceated. This undermines the argument that ‘life in prison’ ends the threat of certain killers.
Anyone who kills or directs the killing of witnesses should die. Not for revenge and not because it will deter everyone who premeditates murdedr. The reason is simply that the judicial system cannot effectively function when somone facing or serving life has no reason not to try and remove witnesses against them.
And, it is worth noting, people who order the deaths of witnesses are neither powerless or weak-minded or, I suispect, poor. And they are certainly not oppressed.
December 1st, 2005 at 10:20 pm
While that article might be an argument for Capital Punishment, it might also be an argument for the clemency of “Tookie” Williams. It will show prisoners on death row that they have something to look forward to if they make an attempt to rehabilitate themselves, and try to make their last years a positive influence on society, than they would if they were to live the “gangsta” life once in prison. This could be helpful to guards who are under threat from these prisoners. Not that I care one way or another if Tookie gets the ol’ needle-o-death, but if it makes the guards life a little easier, show some mercy for the brotha (and yes, I do know that he showed no mercy for his victims).
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:31 am
Sean,
I have no problem with the Governor staying ‘Tookie’s’ execution as long as Clarence Ray Allen gets the needle. ‘Tookie’ is not a threat to witnesses.