NCJ Number
99941
Editor(s)
T Draper
Date Published
1985
Length
166 pages
Annotation
This volume presents moral and pragmatic arguments for and against the death penalty.
Abstract
The first section reviews judicial and legislative actions concerning capital punishment that have occurred since 1977, and raises the possibility that executions may once again be public. The second section presents moral and religious arguments against capital punishment by psychiatrists, prison staff, humanitarians, interpreters of Christian doctrine, and prisoners. They argue that it is a cruel and unusal punishment, does not deter crime, and may contribute to increased violence. In the third section, proponents of the death penalty argue that murder is so heinous a crime that justice demands a suitably severe punishment and that the death penalty execution of felons can serve as an example to others. Point by point rebuttals of abolitionist arguments also are provided; it is argued that abolitionists use appeal procedures to subvert the criminal justice system and thwart the public will. The final section presents examinations of execution by lethal chemical injection which suggests that this is not a painless, humane means of carrying out the sentence. Medical ethical dilemmas also are discussed. 106 references.