These five countries all have something in common. They are the top five countries for prisoners put to death.
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3034, 98.4%
What do those numbers mean? They represent the number of men (3034), and the percentage of men (98.4%) that make up the death row population in the US as of the summer of 2013.
Are we truly concerned about discussing the way to improve men? If we are, then we must address the fact that the death penalty has nothing to do with rehabilitation. We are led to believe that a potential death sentence will lower homicide rates. Is this true? According to the graphic below the truth appears to be opposite.
In our quest for a more tolerant, diverse, and growth oriented society, we can no longer choose to ignore the facts. The US is one of the most economically developed countries; a country which portrays itself globally as a champion of freedom and reform. This same country is also a member of an elite group of countries which execute their prisoners instead of attempting to rehabilitate and reintegrate. The US’ death penalty peers are also some of the same countries that the U.S.A. likes to point their finger at for human rights violations.
The following graphic clearly presents the statistical data for the death penalty in the US. What does it all mean, and how can we use this information to evolve our justice system so that it actually serves societies betterment?
The Death Penalty in the USA. Produced from ArrestRecords.comThe Innocence Project has some useful data about innocents on death row. Check out this link.
A recent thread at NPR has some interesting commentary on the demographics of who is waiting on death row.
Photo: by wootom/Flickr Graphic: Zoey DeGarmo
The difference is we don’t execute people for engaging in homosexual acts, whereas the others do. My faith informs me that the death penalty is wrong and on that issue I am considered “liberal”.