NCJ Number
130552
Journal
National Prison Project Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1990) Pages: 6-9
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Capital punishment abolitionists have, by and large, failed to offer alternatives to the death penalty, focusing instead on restricting and ending its use. The current move to garner support for life without parole has been shaped in reaction to, instead of in challenge to, conservative crime control strategies.
Abstract
Although there has always been a relatively high level of public support for capital punishment, this author maintains that public retributiveness is often overestimated by political leaders. Recent studies indicate that the American public is less inclined to support the death penalty when given information about capital offenders, costs of execution, and alternative penalties. In 1990, the National Death Penalty Information Center (NDPIC) was established to help develop proactive media strategies against the death penalty. Some of the alternatives suggested in this article include improving and expanding victim services, exploring the root causes of violence and violent crimes, developing sentencing advocacy, and implementing new penalties. 12 references