Some interesting stats that you can use for the topic on Crime and Punishment… Most of these facts touch on the death penalty. Students should consider the goals of punishment, and assess for themselves whether the death penalty goes against their own ethical and moral beliefs. Death penalty is largely used for the goal of retribution.
#1: At least 1/25 people sentenced to the death penalty in the US are actually innocent.
#2: Death Penalty trials are at least 20 times more expensive than trials seeking a sentence of life prison with parole.
#3: In Singapore, the possession of drugs and trafficking are punishable by the death penalty.
#4: As many as 2/3 of all executions done in the world are committed in China. China is also known for their cheap and efficient method of executing the condemned, such as shooting a bullet through the head of the individual.
#5: Research reveals that criminals that are considered to be physically unattractive are likely to receive prison sentences that are up 50% longer than those who are considered to be attractive.
#6: The US has over 1/4 of the prison inmates in the world, making the US the country with the highest prison population.
#7: The Taser was developed to give the police another option to control violent individuals besides shooting them or beating them up. This technology has helped to save lives.
#8: Hanging, as a method of execution, was first originated from Persia 2000 years also. It is believed to be a more humane method of execution compared to beheading an individual, and that it could act as an effective deterrent as well.
