We will focus on four countries, two of each who still uses capital punishment and two that has abolished capital punishment.
Countries that currently practice Capital Punishment
China
Although China executes the highest number of people annually, other countries such as Singapore have higher capita execution rates.
According to wikipedia, China executes people for 55 different crimes in the categories of:
- Crimes against National Security e.g. Treason
- Crimes against Public Security e.g. Arson
- Economic Crimes e.g. Fraud
- Crimes against the person e.g Assault
- Crimes against property e.g. Robbery
- Crime against public order e.g. Smuggling
- Crimes against national defence
- Corruption and bribery
- Breach of duty by soldiers
Capital Punishment is widely supported in China, especially for severe crimes. According to surveys conducted by the Chinese Academy of social science in 1995, 95 percent of the Chinese population supported the death penalty. There is no group in government or civil society vocally support abolition of Capital Punishment.
Crime Rates for China
Although China executes the highest number of people annually, other countries such as Singapore have higher capita execution rates.
According to wikipedia, China executes people for 55 different crimes in the categories of:
- Crimes against National Security e.g. Treason
- Crimes against Public Security e.g. Arson
- Economic Crimes e.g. Fraud
- Crimes against the person e.g Assault
- Crimes against property e.g. Robbery
- Crime against public order e.g. Smuggling
- Crimes against national defence
- Corruption and bribery
- Breach of duty by soldiers
Capital Punishment is widely supported in China, especially for severe crimes. According to surveys conducted by the Chinese Academy of social science in 1995, 95 percent of the Chinese population supported the death penalty. There is no group in government or civil society vocally support abolition of Capital Punishment.
Crime Rates for China
United States
Capital punishment is legal in 32 states of the US. The used of death penalty is decided by federal judges and the US Marshal Service. It is used for many crimes like Murder, Kidnapping, sexual abuse resulting in death, torture resulting in death, war crimes resulting in death and many more. It is mainly used for crimes that result death.
Crime Rates in US
"In the USA, more murders take place in states where capital punishment is allowed. In 2010, the murder rate in states where the death penalty has been abolished was 4.01 per cent per 100,000 people. In states where the death penalty is used, the figure was 5.00 per cent. These calculations are based on figures from the FBI."~bbc.co.uk
Capital punishment is legal in 32 states of the US. The used of death penalty is decided by federal judges and the US Marshal Service. It is used for many crimes like Murder, Kidnapping, sexual abuse resulting in death, torture resulting in death, war crimes resulting in death and many more. It is mainly used for crimes that result death.
Crime Rates in US
"In the USA, more murders take place in states where capital punishment is allowed. In 2010, the murder rate in states where the death penalty has been abolished was 4.01 per cent per 100,000 people. In states where the death penalty is used, the figure was 5.00 per cent. These calculations are based on figures from the FBI."~bbc.co.uk
Countries that abolished Capital Punishment
United Kingdom
Capital punishment in UK was abolished in the 20th century. The last execution was of Peter Anthony Allen hanged in Walton Gaol, Liverpool and Gwynne Owen Evans, hanged in Strangeways, Manchester, both who were convicted of the murder of John Alan West, while robbing him in his house on 7 April 1964.
Capital Punishment in the UK was used for crimes like Arson in royal dockyards, rape, murder, espionage and treason.
Capital punishment in UK was abolished in the 20th century. The last execution was of Peter Anthony Allen hanged in Walton Gaol, Liverpool and Gwynne Owen Evans, hanged in Strangeways, Manchester, both who were convicted of the murder of John Alan West, while robbing him in his house on 7 April 1964.
Capital Punishment in the UK was used for crimes like Arson in royal dockyards, rape, murder, espionage and treason.
Crime Rates In UK
Australia
Capital Punishment is formally abolished in Australia. The last execution was of Ronald Ryan hanged in Victoria in 1967.
Capital punishment was used for burglary, sheep stealing, forgery, sexual assaults, murder and manslaughter. It became part of the legal system of Australia due to the British settlement during the 19th century. During this time, 80 people were hanged each year throughout Australia due to these crimes.
Through the 20th Century, Australia banned capital punishment on a state-by-state basis.
Crime Rates of Australia
Capital Punishment is formally abolished in Australia. The last execution was of Ronald Ryan hanged in Victoria in 1967.
Capital punishment was used for burglary, sheep stealing, forgery, sexual assaults, murder and manslaughter. It became part of the legal system of Australia due to the British settlement during the 19th century. During this time, 80 people were hanged each year throughout Australia due to these crimes.
Through the 20th Century, Australia banned capital punishment on a state-by-state basis.
Crime Rates of Australia
The graph on the right shows the homicide rates after capital punishment was abolished in Australia. By looking at this graph, it seems that capital punishment wasn't that effective in reducing homicide rates. In the graph on the right, note that the crime rates are from 0.023% to 0.031%, a more close up into the graph at 1995.