Citation

Oliphant SN. Criminol. Public Policy 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Society of Criminology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1745-9133.12601

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research Summary:Research examining deathpenalty deterrence has been characterized as incon-clusive and uninformative. The present analysis heedsa recommendation from prior research to examinesingle-state changes in death penalty policy usingthe synthetic control method. Data from the years1979-2019 were used to construct synthetic controlsand estimate the effects of death penalty moratoriumson homicide rates in Illinois, New Jersey, Washington,and Pennsylvania. Moratoriums on capital punishmentresulted in nonsignificant homicide reductions in allfour states.

Policy Implications:Inconsistent with a deterrencehypothesis, no evidence of a deterrent effect attributableto death penalty statutes was found. Given the gravityand finality of state-sanctioned execution, it is impor-tant that policy makers consider the weight of evidenceof the death penalty's capacity to deter, as well as issuesof equity, justice, and fairness, in their decision makingabout death penalty policy.

KEYWORDSdeath penalty, deterrence, homicide, synthetic control method

Language: en