Fred Thompson on Research Into the Deterrent Effect of the Death Penalty

Statement

Fred Thompson on Research Into the Deterrent Effect of the Death Penalty

Posted on June 27th, 2007
By Michael in Commentaries

Excerpt from June 27 commentary aired on ABCRadio.com.

For decades, the self-proclaimed smart kids have been telling us that the death penalty just doesn't work. In the last few years, however, serious researchers have applied themselves to finding the evidence.

Some studies show really dramatic effects, with each execution of a murderer deterring as many as 18 murders. That's according to Emory University professors, who found as well that delaying execution also leads to further murders. Most studies have concluded that some number of murders between three and 18 are prevented for every application of capital punishment.

I guess the most surprising thing was seeing an article about these findings just a few weeks ago by the Associated Press. The most interesting quote was from a well-known opponent of capital punishment who looked at the evidence and said, "Abolitionists or others, like me, who are skeptical about the death penalty haven't given adequate consideration to the possibility that innocent life is saved by the death penalty."

Certainly, the use of DNA evidence to clear long-held prisoners from murder charges proves that we need to be more careful about handing out death sentences; and science must be used even more and earlier in the criminal process to protect the innocent and convict the guilty. However, these studies are important in properly analyzing the effect of the death penalty.

Source