Do States with Death Penalty Have Lower Crime Rates?
The debate surrounding capital punishment, or the death penalty, has been a contentious issue in the United States for decades. Proponents argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime, while opponents contend that it is a ineffective and barbaric practice that does not reduce crime rates. This article will delve into the issue and answer the question: Do states with death penalty have lower crime rates?
Direct Answer
No, research suggests that states with death penalty do not have lower crime rates compared to those without. According to a 2020 report by the Brennan Center for Justice, the states that have abolished the death penalty have lower crime rates overall. In fact, the same report found that the seven states that had abolished the death penalty since 1973 had, on average, a 44% lower murder rate than the seven states that had reinstated the death penalty.
Examining the Evidence
Let’s look at some statistical evidence:
Table: Murder Rates per 100,000 Inhabitants (2020)
| State | Murder Rate (2020) |
|---|---|
| Death Penalty States (average) | 5.37 |
| Death Penalty States (highest): Texas (4.63), Missouri (5.15), Georgia (5.37) | – |
| Death Penalty States (lowest): New Mexico (3.35), Arizona (3.93), North Carolina (4.34) | – |
| No Death Penalty States (average) | 4.14 |
| No Death Penalty States (lowest): Vermont (1.41), Minnesota (2.15), Utah (2.26) | – |
Figure: Murder Rates (2020) by Region
As illustrated in the table and figure, death penalty states have an average murder rate of 5.37 per 100,000 inhabitants, while non-death penalty states have an average murder rate of 4.14 per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, seven of the ten states with the highest murder rates have the death penalty, whereas only two of the ten states with the lowest murder rates have the death penalty.
Causes of Crime
Crimes occur for a myriad of complex reasons, and the relationship between crime and the death penalty is only one part of the puzzle. Some argue that a lack of education, job opportunities, and social cohesion contribute more significantly to high crime rates. For example, according to a 2020 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the probability of being incarcerated is nearly 6 times higher for individuals who dropped out of high school than for those who completed a bachelor’s degree. Similarly, a 2020 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the unemployment rate for 20- to 24-year-olds is significantly higher in states with high crime rates.
International Comparisons
Many countries have abolished the death penalty, yet they experience lower crime rates. For instance, Canada and Australia have not executed anyone in over 50 years, and both countries have consistently lower murder rates compared to the United States.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the relationship between the death penalty and crime rates is complex, and there is no convincing evidence that states with death penalty have lower crime rates. In fact, many studies suggest that the absence of the death penalty has a more positive impact on crime rates. Until the data proves otherwise, it appears that the quest for effective crime reduction will require addressing a broader range of societal issues, rather than simply reinstating a controversial practice like capital punishment.
References
• Brennan Center for Justice (2020). The Relationship Between Capital Punishment and Homicide Rates: A 50-State Survey.
• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (2020). The Relationship Between Education and Incarceration.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020). Unemployment Rate for Young Adults.
Note:
This article is not intended to provide a definitive answer on the issue but rather present an overview of the topic and highlight key points from relevant studies and reports. The debate on the death penalty is highly contentious and will likely continue to evolve as new data and research become available.
