...Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is a Government department of the U.S. state of Texas. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is responsible for the entire states criminal justices for all adult offenders, including governing offender in state prisons, jails and other private correctional facilities, funding and certain oversight of community supervision of offenders released from prison on parole or mandatory supervision. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs the largest prison structure in all of the United States. Texas Department of Criminal Justice houses death row inmates in the Polunsky Unit and female death row inmates in the Mountain View Unit. The Huntsville Unit is the location of the state of Texas execution chamber The Polunsky death row has about 290 prisoners. The State of Texas began housing death row inmates in the Huntsville Unit in 1928. In 1965 the male death row inmates moved to the Ellis Unit. 1999 the male death row moved Polunsky. Capital punishment has been used in the state of Texas since 1819. As of April 2014 1,270 people have been executed. The state of Texas has executed more inmates than any other state in spite of that two states California and Florida have a larger death row population than Texas. Since 1923 TDCJ has been in charge of executions in the state. TDCJ houses death row prisoners after they are transported from their counties of conviction, and administers the death penalty on a condemned person’s...
Words: 845 - Pages: 4
...Evan Stabolitis Professor Max Seymour Political Science 6th April, 2014 Case Cameron Willingham Willingham was immediately prosecuted for arson and the murder of his three little girls to cover up the supposed “abusing” of them. Stacy Kuykendall said there was no way he abused the children and that they were spoiled rotten. Think about it, how could a man abuse two twin one year old little girls and a two year old little girl. According to his wife he was also the best the father she had ever seen and the most loving man she’d ever met. When these things are put together, there is no way he could have done it, there is no reason why. Some of the evidence gathered against Willingham was charcoal starter fluid which was under the grill under the front porch which was melted, but some starter fluid was found inside the door next to the grill. This evidence shouldn’t have held any weight because of the fire hose pressure probably blowing some of the fluid into the house while trying to put the fire out. There was three starting points in the house where an accelerant was supposedly put to start the fire because of the marks of a “fast and hot” start of the fire. Later in the case a fellow inmate of Willingham testified against him saying that Willingham had indeed told him he did start the fire. The inmate that gave this information should have not have been of any importance because him and Willingham had gotten into an argument days before. The inmates background was not...
Words: 949 - Pages: 4
...Running head: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Capital Punishment [Name of Customer] [Name of Institute] [Law] Capital Punishment Introduction Capital punishment that also known as the death penalty or sentence has been one of the most widely debated and contentiously oriented topic in countries and diverse societies in terms of its promulgation, legitimacy, conformity towards humanitarian principles and norms and its abolishment. Argument regarding the topic has been segregated on the basis of its advocacy and opposition. Since we all constitute an integral part of a democratic system where people are provided the autonomy to voice their opinion and perspectives irrespective to the nature of the issue and hence being a part of the system I could cast my vote in favor and advocacy of capital punishment. (Hodgkinson and Rutherford, 1996) The Dual Analysis of Capital Punishment There are a number of reasons behind my perspective related to the advocacy and support of capital punishment. One of the simple and straight forward reasons for voting in favor of this form of punishment which is viewed as discordant and diabolical by many is my strong adherence towards the famous quotation which says ‘One thief dead, is one thief less’ it is a self-evident fact that a dead criminal does not possess the tendency of committing any more crime and hence the fear and the intimidation that he has created will cease to exist with his death. It is worth mentioning here...
Words: 1134 - Pages: 5
...Texas Death Penalty – Deterrent or Not Extra Credit Essay GOVT 2306-21402 Autherene E. Webster November 26, 2013 Throughout the history of time the death penalty has always been a hotly debated topic. At one point every state in the nation banned it through a federal mandate but later dismantled the ban and state by state began bringing it back. The state of Texas is well known for being the state which has executed more people than anyone in the history of the nation. Texas, known for its penchant for enforcing laws and carrying out sentences has long since had the reputation for executions that are done more swiftly and more often than anywhere else in the nation. When the nation reinstated the death penalty in 1976 each state determined whether or not they wanted to reinstate it. Since its reinstatement there have been 1335 executions. The state of Texas was responsible for 507 of those executions. Prior to 1976 the death penalty had been made illegal in every state. The 1972 United States Supreme Court banned death penalty executions because it felt there had been many years of racial bias and other procedural faults within the capital punishment system (Nolen 2000). Interestingly enough, that is still the feeling surrounding death penalty executions today. The punishment was banned until 1976, when the court ruled that applying capital punishment to first degree murder was not a violation of...
Words: 1714 - Pages: 7
...Controversy regarding the death penalty has been prevalent in the United States for centuries. Those in favor of capital punishment, a term synonymous with the death penalty, argue that its practice provides a “fair” punishment for certain crimes and serves as a deterrent for heinous acts. However, there has been growing opposition in America. The death penalty, implemented in thirty-two states, should be prohibited in the United States due to the financial cost of death penalty trials and executions, the possibility that those sentenced are innocent, and the inhumanity of failed executions. The implementation of the death penalty in America dates back to the colonial era and is largely attributed to British influences. The first recorded...
Words: 1247 - Pages: 5
...Final: Capital Punishment a just social problem SOC 203 Intro to Social Problems The debate of capital punishment will always generate passion, it is one of the most debated issues in the Criminal Justice system. The absence of capital punishment would prove a greater problem for the sake of society. Many opponents will argue the death penalty should be abolished, they fail to offer up any comparable alternatives for the crime for murder. It is a harsh punishment but, in all fairness, the punishment fits the crime. Capital punishment does what the name suggests: it punishes and it removes the notion that one can kill and get away with it. It serves as a deterrent for those contemplating murder and in the end, it brings justice. Capital punishment defends the sanctity of life and until we evolve to the place where murders are no longer a part of our society, we must punish this crime fairly. To know we have removed a murdering criminal from the street is a relief thankful to deterrence of violent crime, retribution, Christianity, and innocence. One argument for the death penalty is the fact that it deters crime. Those enticed by killing someone might think twice if they know their life will be taken as a consequence. Joanna Shepherd explores the history of capital punishment and explains that while many studies produced mixed results, modern economic studies reveal executions “significantly deter murders” (Shepherd). In addition, Wesley Lowe reports when the death penalty...
Words: 1896 - Pages: 8
...Penalty, also known as Capital Punishment, has been a controversial issue for many years. Some people believe that it is wrong and should be abolished, while others believe that capital punishment should continue to be enforced. Arguments for this are issues of deterrence, the question of whether it’s excessive cruelty, questions of equability, and the public attitudes. In this paper I will explain viewpoints of proponents and opponents of the death penalty. Capital punishment in the United States has been around for many, many years. It was commonly used in the history of the criminal justice system. The methods of executions in history were cruel and unusual. Some of the methods included boiling the guilty in oil, burning to death, hanging them, strangling, stoning, and impaling. 1968 was the first year where the death penalty was not exercised in the United States. In 1976, Georgia, Florida, and Texas were the first three states to uphold the death penalty statues. Later, capital punishment was reinstated to other states as well. Since then there have been debates with this topic. Abolitionists believe that it is morally wrong. They may also believe that it has no benefits to our society. On the other hand, proponents feel that it is a deterrent and can save many innocent lives by getting rid of the murderers that can possibly take other lives. During the 1970s, Issac Ehrlich was the first person to study deterrence in regards to capital punishment. He studied it by...
Words: 1358 - Pages: 6
...Death Penalty and Politics Research Paper Danica Misic The Death Penalty and Politics Introduction The death penalty seems like a dreadful phrase at first glance, especially for those who are facing it. People convicted and sentenced to the death penalty usually have a long wait ahead of them. Some of these people facing the death penalty are looking forward to their execution, and some are dreading it. What exactly is the death penalty? To some it may be freedom once carried out, and to others it is retribution, a political tool, a means for producing money, or a deterrent for future crimes. It is important that the United States come to some conclusion so we can end the death penalty debate; we want the truth, not assumptions that can be argued to no end. This paper will discuss the ins and outs of the death penalty, why it has created much debate, why it is not a deterrent of murder, and that it is mostly used as a political tool. There have been many studies done to both effects; the death penalty deters crime, or it does not deter crime because the previous studies were flawed. First presented is a brief history to better understand where the death penalty comes from. The next section will discuss the modern approaches to the death penalty including landmark cases that changed the way the death penalty is executed in the United States. Following this section is an explanation of deterrence and its effects, and other controversies that exist. Finally...
Words: 5088 - Pages: 21
...death penalty is the most severe punishment that may be imposed on an individual by the United States government. It denies a person one of their most basic human rights, which is the right to live. One of the purposes of the death penalty is to serve as a deterrent for other would-be criminals. There have been studies conducted to determine if the death penalty is effective in this regard. There is another point of disparity surrounding the death penalty related to the equality of its application. Are all citizens treated equal? This paper takes a closer look at the equality in the application of the death penalty and its effectiveness as a deterrent. Is the Death Penalty a Fair and Effective Deterrent in the United States? The death penalty came to the United States with the first European settlers and continued until the 1960’s. “The 1960s brought challenges to the fundamental legality of the death penalty. Before then, the Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments were interpreted as permitting the death penalty. However, in the early 1960s, it was suggested that the death penalty was a "cruel and unusual" punishment, and therefore unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment.” (Bohm, 1999) Since the 1960’s courts have been battling the issue of the death penalty. Currently there are 38 states that have provisions for the death penalty. What is the purpose of the death penalty? The death penalty is the ultimate punishment for a crime. It ensures that the...
Words: 1575 - Pages: 7
...Delores Jones-Brown Mark Moore Ira Schwartz Linda Teplin Franklin Zimring November 2001 The findings and opinions contained herein are those of the National Policy Committee and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the American Society of Criminology. Ronald Weitzer, Professor of Sociology, Dana Coleman, Research Assistant, and Sarah Benatar, Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute on Crime, Justice, and Corrections at George Washington University provided substantial assistance in the preparation of this document. Introduction Capital punishment is among the most hotly debated issues in American politics. Passions run high for both those who want the death penalty abolished and those who seek to preserve or expand its use. What follows is a summary of key issues in the death penalty debate, research findings on the application of capital punishment, and a discussion of policy considerations. The American Society of Criminology (ASC) is greatly concerned with the death penalty and its application in the United States. This year, ASC President Ronald Huff and the ASC Executive Board authorized the ASC’s National Policy Committee (NPC) to develop a policy paper that would focus on the death penalty issue. The ASC Board has emphasized that the NPC paper would not speak for the Society but to its membership. The recommendations contained in this report reflect a concern that the Society needs to set a research agenda that is...
Words: 6090 - Pages: 25
...CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Is it the only Justice for Killers? CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Is it the only Justice for Killers? Crime is literally universal. Convicts are basically a fragment of our society. But that does not mean that they loiter and linger amongst ourselves without any action being taken against them. Reducing crime and convicts is our liability, and we cannot disregard it. Getting the justly alleged to an impartial sentence is crucial. Certain crooks are compelled to do an offense since they have no other choice to live, but some in particular do it for the fun. I do not promote death punishment for everyone. An individual, who took bread from a grocery stock, certainly does not be worthy of a death penalty. Nonetheless, a serial killer, who murders people for amusing himself or for his own gain, absolutely justifies death penalty. The society’s garbage can be eliminated by continuously using the penalty of death. Everybody does not deserve to die, but there are some people who definitely do. I support death penalty for numerous reasons. Firstly, death penalty helps in diminishing crime and serves as a deterrent. Secondly, although death penalty is irreversible is true, but a wrongly convicted person is difficult to kill due to the numerous chances given to the convicted to provide evidence for his innocence. Thirdly, by the elimination of these criminals using death penalty, safety of the society is assured. Finally, I believe in "lex tallionis" - a life...
Words: 1175 - Pages: 5
...evokes strong feelings, pro and con. These feelings and responses to certain crimes provide a virtual emotional roller coaster ride depending on circumstances. The killings of two Detroit Police Officers earlier this year proved to be no different. 3 Table of Contents Abstract ………..……………………………………………………………………..2 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….....3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..4 Background and Significance…………………………………………………….....5 Michigan Connection………………………………………………………………...8 Literature Review…………………………………………………………………..12 Results/Summary.......................................................................................................25 Cited Works………………………………………………………………………...29 4 Introduction Capital punishment is the imposition of the death...
Words: 8281 - Pages: 34
...electrocution, and hanging are the methods of death afforded for those who commit such heinous acts. However, does knowing the possible consequences of capital offenses deter individuals from committing the crimes? Did it make you stop and think? In the United States the death penalty is used as a punishment for capital offenses. These specifically can vary from state to state, but commonly include first-degree murder, murder with special circumstances, rape with additional bodily harm, and the federal crime of treason. (Facts) The goal of the death penalty then, is to deter these crimes from even taking place, to be so feared that offenders think twice about committing such horrible crimes. But does it? In the following paper, the above question will attempt to be answered by looking at the background of capital punishment and the death penalty, the ideas behind it, viable alternatives, and finally, the effectiveness of the death penalty at deterring crime. Early death penalty laws date back to the Eighteenth Century B.C.. The death penalty also had a heavy presence in the Fourteenth Century Hittite Code, the Seventh Century Draconian Code of Athens, and the Fifth Century Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets. (History, 1) Today, thirty-four states in the United States of America still practice the death penalty as a means of punishment for capital offenses and heinous crimes. The death penalty debate is one that Americans are no strangers to; it has been abolished and repealed numerous times...
Words: 1473 - Pages: 6
...Lethal Justice?: Is Capital Punishment right or wrong Capital punishment and the practice of the death penalty is an issue that is passionately debated in the United States. Opponents of capital punishment often view the sentence to be cruel because it is ethically unjust. For example, ethical problems involve the moral issues in addition to whether it is ever right to execute another human. On the other hand, pro death penalty supporters regularly claim that the punishment is just because it may provide closure to the victims loved ones and it is the direct answer to a murder. Additionally, it is argued that as a result of the injection the supposed criminal may never commit further crimes. Both sides of the issue have strong claims to support...
Words: 1943 - Pages: 8
...Laurie Mosley Ethics Mrs. Kauffman May 30, 2015 Juvenile Capital Punishment The youngest offender ever executed in the United States was James Arcene, a ten year old Cherokee, who was hanged in Arkansas in 1885 for participating in a robbery and murder (James Austin, 2000). Juvenile capital punishment has always been a highly controversial and publicized matter. As a society we recognize that children, those under eighteen years old, cannot and do not function as adults. Because children do not function as adults, the law takes special steps to protect children from the consequences of their actions and often gives them a second chance. The law prohibits people under eighteen years old from voting, serving in the military, and serving on juries. Majority of the criminals are male offenders over twenty years old, but this is changing rapidly. Not only are adults committing capital offenses, but children who are under eighteen years old are committing such heinous offenses. A child that commits a heinous crime is not mentally capable of comprehending the crime he or she commits. The system of values in the age under eighteen is not built yet, other people can easily influence children, and the psychiatric processes are not yet stable. Under these conditions a child should never be sentenced to death or a life in prison because their mind is not fully developed. Children still have a chance to change and be rehabilitated. ...
Words: 1964 - Pages: 8
