NCJ Number
9874
Date Published
1972
Length
167 pages
Annotation
INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN CANADA AND OTHER COUNTRIES SINCE JUNE 1965.
Abstract
WRITTEN FOR USE BY SENATORS, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THIS PAPER IS AN UPDATE OF THE STUDY TITLED 'CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - MATERIAL RELATING TO ITS PURPOSE AND VALUE', PUBLISHED BY THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN JUNE 1965. THE PAPER HIGHLIGHTS NEW ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS IN SUPPORT OF THE RETENTION OR THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY. IT GIVES AN OUTLINE OF THE STATE OF CRIME IN CANADA SINCE THE ADOPTION BY PARLIAMENT IN 1967 OF A STATUTE TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY FOR A FIVE-YEAR TRIAL PERIOD, EXCEPT FOR THE MURDER OF A POLICE OFFICER OR A MEMBER OF A PRISON STAFF ACTING IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES. APPENDICES TO THE REPORT INCLUDE CRIME INDICES, HOMICIDE STATISTICS, EXECUTION AND DEATH SENTENCE STATISTICS, AND AMENDMENTS TO CANADA'S CRIMINAL CODE WHERE THE DEATH PENALTY IS INVOLVED. EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)