NonReligious View of the Death Penalty Learning Intentions

Non-Religious View of the Death Penalty

Learning Intentions 1. Understand who Amnesty International are. 2. Explain the groups view on the use of the death penalty.

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries and territories Thisto Amnesty International's who campaign end grave abuses of iconic human logo of a candle wrapped in barbed rights. wire was inspired by the ancient Chinese proverb: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” In other words its work would shine a light in the darkest of places where human rights abuses go unpunished.

JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

What have you heard? • It’s justice: just deserts, “eye for an eye” (retribution) • It brings closure for the victim’s family • It’s less expensive than permanent imprisonment • It deters murder • It shows society’s disgust for the crime • It prevents offenders from murdering again • Some crimes require the “ultimate penalty”

THE CASE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

1) Human Rights Violated Twice Rather than upholding society’s highest values, the death penalty imitates the crime it condemns. § Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person § No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2 wrongs don’t make 1 right! (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 3, 5)

2) Equal Justice before the Law? • Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. • All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. • Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 6, 7, 8)

2) Equal Justice? a) Socio-economic Bias • One of the most pivotal determinants of whether a defendant will receive the death penalty is the quality of their legal representation. • Almost all death row prisoners could not afford their own attorney. • Appointed attorneys are often overworked, underpaid, or lacking the trial experience required for death penalty cases.

2) Equal Justice? b) Racial Bias Race of Defendants Executed Race of Victim in Death Penalty Cases Source: Death Penalty Information Center

2) Equal Justice? c) Arbitrary Application • Only about 2% of known murderers are sentenced to death • Prosecutors (elected) have discretion in seeking a death sentence • Suburban, predominantly white and affluent jurisdictions tend to have prosecutors who are more eager (and better resourced) to seek the death penalty. • In Alabama, Florida and Delaware, elected judges can override a jury’s decision to sentence someone to life or death. Source: Death Penalty Information Center

3) System Failure a) Error-Riddled • 70% of all death sentences are reversed due to serious error such as: – incompetent defense lawyers – police or prosecutorial misconduct • Capital trials produce so many mistakes that it takes three judicial inspections to catch them • Of the 2, 370 death sentences thrown out due to serious error, 90% were overturned by state judges—many were the same ones who imposed the death sentence in the first place (Liebman Study – Columbia Univ. )

3) System Failure b) Wrongful Convictions 140 people have been released from death row due to evidence of their innocence since 1973 (including one in 2012). Source: Death Penalty Information Center

3) System Failure c) Deterrence Of the top US academic criminological society presidents, 88% reject the notion that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder.

3) System Failure d) Millions Wasted The entire process for capital vs. non-capital cases is far more costly: § § § The average death penalty case costs $1. 26 million vs. $740, 000 (permanent incarceration) Maryland: The average death penalty case costs approx. $3 M ($1. 9 M more than nondeath penalty case) Florida: The death penalty costs $51 M/yr beyond cost of permanent imprisonment. California: The death penalty costs $137 M/yr beyond cost of permanent imprisonment. Kansas: costs of death penalty vs. non-death penalty cases: investigation - 3 x more; trial - 16 x more; appeals - 21 x more Source: Death Penalty Information Center

NON-RELIGIOUS VIEW AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL What does this symbol mean? Why is capital punishment unfair to the poor? What is surprising about the ethic groups on death row? Why is capital punishment unfair to the poor? Why can the system of capital punishment be described as error-riddled? Why does the argument it is cheaper to kill people than put them in prison nonsense?

ARE THERE OTHER METHODS? YES, THERE IS A BETTER WAY! Jeremy Irons Activity Famous British Actor and member Amnesty International Watch this short clipof with Jeremy Irons and note down the arguments he mentions against the use of capital Factout as there are quite a few!!! punishment - watch He was the voice of Scar in the Lion King

Preventing Murder How would you spend tens of millions of £/year ? Prevention policy: violence, drug/alcohol abuse, treatment for the mentally ill Public Safety: resources for more police on the streets?

Troy Davis Read through the case study on Troy Davis and answer the following questions; 1. In your own words explain what Troy Davis was convicted of. 2. Why was the case against him seen as weak (to say the least!) 3. Why were so many people shocked at the decision of the Judge on 24 th August 2010? 4. Why might Amnesty International use Troy Davis as an example to show that we should not be using the death penalty at all as punishment?

Getting ready for assessment • National 4 & 5 Assessment on Monday • Assessment is open book so you can use all your notes/jotters & homework • Revision periods on Thursday/Friday • Supported study on tomorrow after school – make sure you have an idea of what you need help with if coming along