NCJ Number
42991
Date Published
1977
Length
139 pages
Annotation
DATA RELATING TO THE INCIDENCE OF HOMICIDE DURING THE PERIOD 1965-1970, THE MORATORIUM PERIOD ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN CANADA, ARE PRESENTED, AND THE HISTORY OF INFLUENCES AFFECTING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS RELATED.
Abstract
THE DATA REVEALS A NEGATIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE INCIDENCE OF MURDER, BOTH THE EXPECTANCY OF DEATH AS PUNISHMENT AND THE EXPECTANCY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT, SUGGESTING THAT THESE TWO PUNISHMENTS DO EXERT SOME DETERRENT INFLUENCE, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR. HOWEVER, HE ALSO POINTS OUT A STRONG POSITIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE INCIDENCE OF MURDER AND THE EXPECTANCY OF TERM IMPRISONMENT AS PUNISHMENT FOR IT. THIS CORRELATION TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER TWO, IS CONSIDERED TO SUGGEST THERE IS A THRESHOLD VALUE BELOW WHICH PUNISHMENT IS BOTH MEANINGLESS AND USELESS. THE REACTION OF PARLIAMENT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MORATORIUM IS ALSO DISCUSSED...RCB