The Illusion of Deterrence in Isaac Ehrlich's Research on Capital Punishment

• DOI: 10.2307/795412
• Publication Date: 2006-05-06T23:01:54Z
• Authors: William J. Bowers; Glenn L. Pierce
• Keywords: Capital Punishment; Deterrence; Punishment (psychology); Capital (architecture)

In this critique of Professor Ehrlich's recent research on capital punishment,' we conclude that he has failed to provide any reliable evidence the death penalty deters murder.His data are inadequate for purposes his analysis and misapplies highly sophisticated statistical techniques employs.We begin with an evaluation uses measure critical variables in theoretical formulation then consider flaws which would invalidate conclusions even if were adequate.We by explaining how produces results seem consistent deterrence hypothesis when fact they not. 2 I. Inadequacies DataThe credibility depends quality used.For measures at core analysis, relies Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCRS) FBI. 3 The behavior seeks explain (the dependent