America's New Death Penalty

The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute on Race and Criminal Justice

The death penalty is a complex and controversial issue in the United States. Despite its long history, there is no consensus on whether it is a just or effective punishment. In recent years, the death penalty has come under increasing scrutiny, as evidence has mounted of its racial disparities and injustices.

The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute on Race and Criminal Justice (CHHIRI) is a non-profit organization that works to dismantle the systemic racism that plagues the criminal justice system. CHHIRI's research and advocacy have helped to raise awareness of the racial disparities in the death penalty, and have played a role in the decline in executions in recent years.

Life without Parole: America's New Death Penalty? (The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute Series on Race and Justice Book 1)

by Ian Bremmer

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1767 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	346 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Racial Disparities in the Death Penalty

One of the most striking aspects of the death penalty in the United States is its racial disparities. Black people are disproportionately represented on death row and are more likely to be executed than white people. This disparity is not explained by differences in crime rates. In fact, white people are more likely to commit murder than black people, but they are less likely to be sentenced to death.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the racial disparities in the death penalty. One factor is the way in which capital cases are prosecuted. Studies have shown that prosecutors are more likely to seek the death penalty in cases involving black defendants. Another factor is the composition of juries. In many states, juries are not required to be representative of the community. This can lead to juries that are biased against black defendants.

Injustices in the Death Penalty

In addition to the racial disparities, there are a number of other injustices that plague the death penalty. One of the most troubling is the fact that innocent people have been sentenced to death. Since 1973, over 160 people have been exonerated from death row, including 20 who were actually executed.

Another injustice is the arbitrary way in which the death penalty is applied. Two people can commit the same crime, but one may be sentenced to death while the other is not. This is often due to the fact that the death penalty is more likely to be imposed in cases that involve certain aggravating factors, such as the murder of a child or a police officer. However, these aggravating factors are not always applied consistently.

The Decline in Executions

In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of executions in the United States. This is due in part to the increasing awareness of the racial disparities and injustices in the death penalty. In addition, a number of states have passed laws that restrict the use of the death penalty.

The decline in executions is a positive step, but there is still much work to be done to dismantle the systemic racism that plagues the criminal justice system. CHHIRI is committed to continuing its work to raise awareness of the death penalty's racial disparities and injustices, and to advocate for its abolition.

The death penalty is a complex and controversial issue with a long and troubled history. The racial disparities and injustices that plague the system are undeniable. It is time for the United States to abolish the death penalty and replace it with a more just and humane system of punishment.

CHHIRI is a leading voice in the movement to abolish the death penalty. The organization's research and advocacy have helped to raise awareness of the death penalty's racial disparities and injustices, and have played a role in the decline in executions in recent years. CHHIRI is committed to continuing its work until the death penalty is abolished once and for all.

Life without Parole: America's New Death Penalty? (The Charles Hamilton Houston Institute Series on Race and Justice Book 1)

by Ian Bremmer

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1767 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	346 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE