Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Case
From the commuting of death sentences to life imprisonment and the pardoning of four death-row prisoners last year by then Illinois governor George Ryan, the death penalty has now come front and center in American consciousness. This collection of essays presents a balanced discussion of the range of issues associated with this debate, including the speech delivered by Ryan when he made his historic decision. The essayists include federal judges, lawyers, and philosophers. Four of the essays argue for the death penalty and four against. Contributors examine the key areas concerning the death penalty: race and economics, the U.S. position on capital punishment in contrast to that of other nations, retribution and morality, the risks of wrongful convictions, the deterrence value of capital punishment, and closure for victims' families. Contributors emphasize their own particular points of view but add to an excellent overview of this life-and-death issue.Vernon FordCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.