Following an overview of the history of capital punishment in British and American law and the movement for reform, a series of essays discusses the laws of capital punishment, the range of capital crimes, and the methods and rates of execution. Another section presents essays favoring capital punishment from a Christian perspective and for deterrence and public safety reasons. Essayists argue for the abolition of capital punishment on the basis of religion, failed deterrence, and unconstitutionality. The results of public opinion polls regarding the death penalty, as well as the surveyed attitudes of police officers and correctional wardens, are also discussed. Subsequent essays deal in more depth with the issues of deterrence, the impact of State laws abolishing capital punishment, and the criminal justice aspects of the death penalty. Finally, five essays present case studies focusing on different aspects of the matter. Chapter references