Introduction to Corrections Chapter 14
Introduction to Corrections
Chapter 14
Corporal and Capital Punishment
Physical Sanctions:
-positive
-negative (CJ system)
-economic
-physical
Corporal and Capital Punishment
Torture:-extract confession/info
-”intense pain…mind/body”
-pain not torture
-Courts: prohibit torture not pain
Corporal and Capital Punishment
8th amendment: cruel and unusual punishment
-courts avoid specific definitions: look at
-shocks conscience of court-violate evolving standards of decency-disproportionate to offense
-wanton/unnecessary pain
-deliberate indifference
Corporal and Capital Punishment
Evolving standards of decency:
Where do the courts look? Pain itself not cruel/unusual Corporal punishment as discipline violates 8th
Corporal punishment as sentence no violates 8th
1958: Chief Justice Warren:“evolving standards of decedent that mark the progress of a
maturing society”
Corporal and Capital Punishment
Gregg v. GA: -capital punishment not cruel/unusual-large proportion of society-appropriate
Jackson v. Bishop:-whipping unconstitutional-”offends contemporary concepts of decency”
How determine standards of decency?-state legislatures-represent “will of the people”
Corporal and Capital Punishment
Corporal punishment:-affects the body
-pillory: wooden frame on tall post/head/hands
-stocks: feet
-Boston-stocks-1st customer was carpenter
Pillory
Stocks
Branding:
-forehead/cheek/shoulder/hand
-letter for crime
-hand-raised in court-criminal past
Branding
Whipping
Sticks/canes/rods/straps/rubber hoses
1776-1829-debate focused on types of corporal punishment versus penitentiaries
What group was this used on routinely?
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Means:
-hanging-firing squad-electric chair-gas chamber-lethal injection
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
STATS: NO NEED TO WRITE DOWN:-56%-south-7% northeast-98% male-56% white-42% black-13% Hispanic-2% other-64% prior felonies (8% prior homicide)
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Leaving Death Row:-executed
-appeal
-clemency-leniencyReprieve: stay of execution for period of timeCommutation: reduction of penaltyPardon: release for responsibility for crime
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Courts:Furman v. GA (1972):Cruel and unusual Arbitrary/capricious (majority) Uncontrolled discretion
Other justices: Unconstitutional by itself
Bifurcated trials:-guilt phase-penalty phase (aggravating/mitigating)
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Abolitionists:
1. State laws
2. Supreme Court
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Cruelty?:
-electric chair
-gas chamber
-lethal injection
Deterrent?:
Specific
General
Fairness debate:-Gender (443)
-Social class: “searches in vain for affluent execution”
-Race:
-Age: under 18 cannot be executed
-Innocence-Todd Willingham (TX)