NCJ Number
125404
Journal
Cincinnati Law Review Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: (1990) Pages: 845-880
Date Published
1990
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the use of the death penalty for women. An attempt is made to document every female execution since the first settlements of the United States and comparisons are made with male execution data.
Abstract
The methodology for collecting the execution data is discussed with emphasis on the demographic characteristics of offenders, jurisdictions where executions occur, and crimes that were committed that justified the use of the death penalty. Statistics are provided on each demographic subject, and comparisons are made on different traits. Explanations and sources of gender bias in the application of the death penalty are discussed, and demographic statistics are provided for many states that have a relatively substantial number of executions. Predictions are also made as to the societal response to the statistics that show a gender bias and an ever decreasing rate of female executions. 105 footnotes.