Speech on Capital Punishment Should Not Be Abolished
The Death Penalty Should Not Be Abolished
Criminal Justice , 2009 David B. Muhlhausen, "The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives," Heritage Foundation, August 28, 2007. www.heritage.org. Reproduced by permission of the author. "Capital punishment produces a strong deterrent effect that saves lives." In the following viewpoint, David B. Muhlhausen argues that capital punishment should not be abandoned because it deters crimes, saves lives, and the majority of American citizens support its use. Additionally, he maintains that evidence does not support claims that racial discrimination results in a disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated on death row. David B. Muhlhausen is a senior policy analyst in the area of criminal justice for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy research organization.
As you read, consider the following questions: 1. According to the 2006 study conducted by the RAND Corporation, what affects whether the death penalty is sought as punishment for a crime? 2. What are the three findings of Joanna M. Shepherd's analysis of data from 1977 to 1999 on the death penalty? 3. Based on research conducted by H. Naci Mocan and R. Kaj Gittings, how many murders result from each commutation of a death row sentence? While opponents of capital punishment have been very vocal in their opposition, Gallup opinion polls consistently demonstrate that the American public overwhelmingly supports capital punishment. In Gallup's most recent poll, 67 percent of Americans favor the death penalty for those convicted of murder, while only 28 percent are opposed. From 2000 to the most recent poll in 2006, support for capital punishment consistently runs a 2:1 ratio in favor. Despite strong public support for capital punishment, federal, state, and local officials must continually ensure that its implementation rigorously upholds constitutional protections, such as due process and equal protection of the law. However, the criminal
Criminal Justice , 2009 David B. Muhlhausen, "The Death Penalty Deters Crime and Saves Lives," Heritage Foundation, August 28, 2007. www.heritage.org. Reproduced by permission of the author. "Capital punishment produces a strong deterrent effect that saves lives." In the following viewpoint, David B. Muhlhausen argues that capital punishment should not be abandoned because it deters crimes, saves lives, and the majority of American citizens support its use. Additionally, he maintains that evidence does not support claims that racial discrimination results in a disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated on death row. David B. Muhlhausen is a senior policy analyst in the area of criminal justice for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy research organization.
As you read, consider the following questions: 1. According to the 2006 study conducted by the RAND Corporation, what affects whether the death penalty is sought as punishment for a crime? 2. What are the three findings of Joanna M. Shepherd's analysis of data from 1977 to 1999 on the death penalty? 3. Based on research conducted by H. Naci Mocan and R. Kaj Gittings, how many murders result from each commutation of a death row sentence? While opponents of capital punishment have been very vocal in their opposition, Gallup opinion polls consistently demonstrate that the American public overwhelmingly supports capital punishment. In Gallup's most recent poll, 67 percent of Americans favor the death penalty for those convicted of murder, while only 28 percent are opposed. From 2000 to the most recent poll in 2006, support for capital punishment consistently runs a 2:1 ratio in favor. Despite strong public support for capital punishment, federal, state, and local officials must continually ensure that its implementation rigorously upholds constitutional protections, such as due process and equal protection of the law. However, the criminal