NCJ Number
120522
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1989) Pages: 285-296
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Pro-death penalty sentiment, which was at its all-time low of 42 percent of the country's adult population in 1966, steadily rose to 71 percent by 1986.
Abstract
This average percentage varies as widely as 43 to 93 percent for various subgroups of the population: political leanings, ethnic background, sex and economic status being the main determinants. Death penalty sentiments are not uniform; about one-third of the pro-death penalty population might give up their position if the alternative were life without parole and if they were convinced that the death penalty is not a deterrent. In the main, it is not utilitarian considerations that determine death penalty sentiment but moralistic ones, which in turn are part of the liberal-conservative dividing lines. 1 figure, 8 tables, 7 references. (Author abstract modified)