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A 7 page paper. The issue of harsher penalties for convicted criminals is a topic of heated debate in this country. This essay argues that harsher, tougher penalties deters crime. Statistical data are provided to support this argument. The comments from a number of sources who have also done studies regarding this issue are reported. The writer ends by discussing the two theories regarding the philosophy of punishment. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
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7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MM12_PGpndet.rtf
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are reported. The writer ends by discussing the two theories regarding the philosophy of punishment. Bibliography lists 7 sources. PGpndet.rtf HARSHER PUNISHMENT DETERS CRIME ,
November, 2001 properly! Whenever the topic of imposing harsher punishments on criminals comes up, there is a heated debate.
Those opposing longer prison sentences and capital punishment argue that those who favor these do not value human life. Mike Royko, a syndicated newspaper columnist, however, stated: "Its because I
have so much regard for human life that I favor capital punishment. Murder is the most terrible crime there is. Anything less than the death penalty is an insult to
the victim and society. It says...that we dont value the victims life enough to punish the killer fully" (Lerch, 1999). People who favor the death penalty certainly agree with Roykos
sentiments. The question is always raised about whether or not harsher sentences actually deters crime. Jay Johansen conducted an individual study correlating crime rates with death penalties. These data can
be verified by anyone interested since they were obtained from the Justice Department. The data from the U.S. Department of Justice illustrated these facts: * Homicide rates increased sharply beginning
about 1965 or 1966. The number of executions plummeted from 47 in 1962 to 2 in 1967 to zero in 1968. The homicide rate, which had been holding steady around
5 throughout the 50s, started up in 1965, just two years after executions began their plummet. The biggest increase in one year came in 1967, the same year that the
last person was executed (Johansen, 1998). * Homicide rates decreased sharply between 1980 to 1985. In 1976 the Supreme Court issued several decisions in which they basically backtracked and again
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