A new study that is sure to make Liberal and anti-death penalty zealots’ heads explode (which is, obviously, a good thing) showing that the death penalty in Texas might actually work as a deterrent:
HUNTSVILLE — As many as 60 people may be alive today in Texas because two dozen convicted killers were executed last year in the nation’s most active capital punishment state, according to a study of death penalty deterrence by researchers from Sam Houston State University and Duke University.
A review of executions and homicides in Texas by criminologist Raymond Teske at Sam Houston in Huntsville and Duke sociologists Kenneth Land and Hui Zheng concludes a monthly decline of between 0.5 to 2.5 homicides in Texas follows each execution.
“Evidence exists of modest, short-term reductions in the numbers of homicides in Texas in the month of or after executions,” the study published in a recent issue of Criminology, a journal of the American Society of Criminology, said.
Whether the death penalty serves as a deterrent to future murderers or not is not my chief concern about the death penalty.
For me, the greatest argument in favor of carrying out death sentences is about justice. It’s acknowledging that some crimes are so horrific and the people who commit them are so evil, that the only suitable punishment is death.
My response to those who claim that the death penalty doesn’t deter others from killing, I’ve always argues that at least it will stop that person (the executed killer) from ever killing again.
Like Kenneth Mosley, who will be executed tonight for killing a police officer more than 13 years ago. After tonight, Kenny will be 100% deterred from ever killing another person again.
This study now gives me one more bit of evidence to argue against anti-DP zealots.
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I found this article particulary interesting and I agree that ‘specific’ punishments can be seen as an effective deterrent. I have heard people in conversation saying ‘punishment should fit the crime’ and to a certain degree I believe this. However how do we catagorise severity of crime and why are murders dealt with differently?? Surely all murders should be treated the same…
Honestly, you should do your own research, and leave the touchy-feely emotions out of it.
Texas Penal Code Chapter 19. Criminal Homicide.
Guide to Texas death penalty law.
Unlike the UK, the individual states here have their own criminal codes, and vary from state to state.
It doesn’t matter if someone other than a Texas citizen is opposed to our laws, what matters is how we Texans wish our elected officials to address criminal codes. The Federal government has no say in how we conduct our states justice system, only the courts.
Honestly, you should be consistent in your ideologies. If you think that killing is a suitable punishment for killing, then surely you think the state should shove broomsticks up the butts of rapists and really big ones up the butts of child rapists. Yvonne’s comment was perfectly reasonable and had barely a whisp of “touchy-feely emotions” which, by the way, are perfectly appropriate in conversations about murder.
Execution is a suitable punishment for first degree murder, plus special circumstances and future danger. And, no Yvonne’s comment is not reasonable. She has left more than this one. Only those who care more about murderers than innocent victims make touchy feely arguments. I prefer the facts and the law, something the pro-murderer crowd lies about all the time.
Robbie, I agree with you that the primary deterrent in capital punishment is requiring the murderer never be able to do so again.
Any other deterrent effect is gravy.
There was another study cited by the WaPo a few years ago, but is no longer available on line.
I am actually interested, and I plan to do some research. I have been opinionated and I shouldn’t be especially when I know relatively little…
The references I listed above are your best starting points to try and understand how we view criminal justice in this state.
No2Liberals would you be able to send those references to my email? I seem to be experiencing problems accessing them on here
No.
If you can’t access the hyperlink, just google the words I posted.
Try studying English so you are coherent.
It never ceases to amaze me how the English slaughter their own language.
Many in the UK want the death penalty returned, as numerous official and unofficial polls have shown. Such as this one from the Sun less than a year ago, and this from a polling service almost five years ago, with this statement that many agree with:
Unfortunately it is only a matter of time before the UK brings back the death penalty. I say “unfortunately” because in addition to the death penalty, the UK will also have stonings, amputations, etc.
There is that, but certainly not an improvement in their culture.
Thank you No2Liberals
Glad to help.
The vast majority of us want justice, and allowing a murderer to live on after taking the precious gift of life away from another, is not justice.
According to roughly a dozen recent studies, executions save lives. For each inmate put to death, the studies say, 3 to 18 murders are prevented.
Ok – it’s not a problem!
Whether executions serve as a deterrent will forever be subject to debate. One thing is absolutely certain, however. They sure as hell are 100% effective against recividism!