The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective

About the Author Roger Hood, CBE, QC (Hon), DCL, FBA, is a former Professor of Criminology and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford and a former Director of the Centre for Criminological Research at Oxford University. Dr. Carolyn Hoyle is a lecturer in Criminology at the Oxford University Centre for Criminology, where her research focuses on the Death Penalty and on the response and demands of families of murder victims. Product Description This new edition of a classic study assesses the global status of capital punishment. As in previous editions, this work draws on Roger Hood's experiences as consultant to the United Nations for the Secretary General's five-yearly surveys of capital punishment as well as the latest literaturefrom non-governmental organizations and academic experts. This edition examines significant developments around the world including the Chinese plan for the People's Supreme Court to review all death sentences, and the abolition in the USA of the death penalty for offenders who committed murder while under the age of 18. Recent legal challenges to lethalinjection as a form of execution are also examined. This edition also includes an additional chapter on the role and influence of victims' families and victim interest movements. This volume shows how, despite a number of set-backs, the movement to abolish the death penalty has continued to gather pace; that international organizations and human rights treaties continue to put pressure on retentionist countries; that further developments have been made in securingprotection for those facing the death penalty in retentionist counties; and that, despite such advances, in some parts of the world the range of crimes subject to the death penalty remains wide and the number of executions considerable. This work engages with the latest debates on the realities ofcapital punishment, with claims that the death penalty is a unique deterrent to murder and other serious crimes, and contains expanded coverage of arguments about the role of public opinion in the debate on capital punishment. Review `Review from previous edition ... timely work ... Its upbeat conclusion is that governments may, one day, realise that capital punishment cannot be administered in societies founded on the principles of human rights, equality and justice.' International and Comparative Law Quarterly`...brings an international human rights perspective to the discussion ... its wordwide perspective brings another dimension and greater depth to the arguments surrounding the return of executions to America'' LEIGH B.BIENEN The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology`From the first edition: There are books published which should be read from cover to cover to obtain a full understanding of theme and style. This report on the death penalty certainly repays reading in this fashion but its real value is for reference and information.' The Rt Hon Merlyn Rees MP, The House Magazine`The skill with which this material is brought together and evaluated from all over the world makes this book a documentary masterpiece ... it is also an important contribution to the general theory of deterrence.' Professor Heike Jung, Zeitschrift fur Strafvollzug und Straffalligenhilfe`Hood tackles a daunting topical charge with sweep and incisiveness' Criminal Law Forum`'excellent study ... is likely to remain for some time the scholarly authority that complements the regular and continuing publications of Amnesty International and other campaigning organizations' Andrew Rutherford, University of Southampton, British Journal of Criminology, Vol. 32, No. 3, Summer '92`...offers the reader comprehensive insight into the current use of the death penalty throughout the world...This book is both comprehensive and extremely informative and will appeal to students, researchers, and anyone else seeking knowledge on the current state of the death penalty around the world.'' Criminal Justice 19/03/199