NCJ Number
132036
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (Spring-Winter 1990) Pages: 307-316
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Unlike other research which discusses the history and use of the death penalty, this analysis presents a worldwide statistical and descriptive perspective on capital punishment.
Abstract
The discussion covers prevalence rates of the death penalty, types of crimes punishable by death, execution methods, and the numbers of executed offenders. Surveys show that the majority of the countries in the world retain the legal recourse to capital punishment, and furthermore, within the past 25 years, there has been no discernible trend indicating a change in retention or abolition rates internationally. However, many nations have amended their capital punishment provisions to reduce the number of capital crimes, humanize execution methods, respect due process rights, and commute death sentences to life sentences. 4 tables, 3 notes, and 11 references (Author abstract modified)