How Have Homicide Rates Been Affected by California's Death Penalty

• NCJ Number: 157792
• Author(s): M J Godfrey; V Schiraldi
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; Ctr on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews current research on the impact of capital punishment on homicide rates in various countries, describes the results of a study of homicide rates in California preceding and following two well-publicized executions, and compares the annual increase in the murder rate during a period of 15 years when California had a death penalty, and 24 years when it did not.

Abstract

Numerous studies have found no clear evidence that the death penalty deters violent criminals from further offending. This study showed that California homicide rates were, at best, unaffected by capital punishment. In fact, there was a general increase in homicide rates following one execution, perhaps a response to the violent nature of executions. An increase in homicides during both abolition and retention of capital punishment was found, with the retentionist increase more than double the abolitionist increase. 2 figures