Public Opinion Death Penalty versus Life Imprisonment

A Research Proposal on Public Opinion Death Penalty versus Life Imprisonment
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A Research Proposal on Public Opinion Death Penalty versus Life Imprisonment
Introduction
The judicial system and the disciplinary code of the United States have developed two highest forms of penalties for crimes; that is a death sentence and life imprisonment without parole. Many arguments concerning these forms of punishment have brought forth diverse points of view that are both compelling and persuasive. Critics of life imprisonment and death penalty argue that both types of punishment for the crime are not based on the ethical and moral principles of the society. Some of them even cite religious sources. The proponents, on the other hand, provide their legal justifications.
Members of the public have diverse opinions regarding death sentence and life imprisonment. Some members of the public usually wonder why the government would spend taxpayers' money to keep a criminal alive in prison, yet death sentences would quickly eliminate them. They argue that death penalties will reduce crime in society and avoid economic expenses on the prisoners. Others feel that it is not appropriate to equate human life with the resources that are used to preserve it in prison, claiming that death sentences are inhumane. Besides, they question the morality of US society in taking human life. In the US, more than thirty-two states have legalized death sentences. The Federal government has also sanctioned the death penalty. Also, the US military enjoys the right to penalize individuals with death sentences. On the contrary, 18 states, including the District of Columbia, have never authorized or annulled death sentences.
Statement of the Problem
The two highest forms of punishment in the United States are incarceration and death penalty. The members of the public hold differing opinions concerning these forms of sentences, particularly death penalties. Other members aggressively support it while others do not. It is, therefore, worthwhile to understand which of the two penalties has the most exceptional public support and the reason behind differences in public opinions.
Research Objectives
1 To investigate the opinion of the public regarding death sentences and life imprisonment.
2 To determine the proportions of members of that public that prefers the death penalty over life incarceration.
3 To determine how race, gender, religion and political affiliations of the members affect their opinions regarding death penalties and life imprisonment.
4 To identify the reasons why different members of the public hold divergent opinions regarding death penalty and life imprisonment.
Research Questions
* What are the popular public opinions concerning life penalty and life imprisonment?
* What proportions of members of that public that prefers death penalty over life incarceration?
* How do race, gender, religion and political affiliations of the members affect their opinions regarding death penalties and life imprisonment?
* Why do members of the public hold divergent opinions regarding death penalty and life imprisonment?
Purpose of the Study
This research intends to compare the diverse opinions about death penalty and life sentences. Besides, it will determine the reasons that members of the public give for supporting either of the two.
Justification of the Study
The results of this research would enable the Federal government to know the opinion of the public concerning death sentence and life in prison, and determine the most preferred form of punishment in the United States. It will also help the members of the public to know and understand the opinion of other members of the public. Besides, it can be used to make vital social decisions.
Research Hypotheses
1 Life imprisonment has more public support compared to death penalties.
2 The economic cost associated with the two highest forms of punishment influences public opinion and support.
3 Most women prefer life imprisonment over death penalties.
Literature Review
The number of people detained in the United States prison is enormous. Americans have divergent opinions regarding life imprisonment and death. Their ideas are primarily influenced by race, gender, religion and political affiliations. Other factors that significantly impact public sentiment are the societal moral concerns and the costs involved in the execution of death penalty and life imprisonment.
According to a study conducted by Phew Research center in 2018, the number of Americans supporting death penalty has increased since 2016. At the time, 54% of members of the public supported death sentences for criminals charged with murder. 39% of Americans, on the other hand, opposed the execution of convicts, while in 2016, 49% of Americans supported death penalty sentences to convicts of murder. Whereas the portion of Americans favoring death penalty has in the past three years, it is much lower when compared to the1990s or the 2000s. For instance, in 2007, 65% of American citizen supported death sentences for murder convicts, while 39% objected. The support of death penalties started falling among the Democrats in the 1990s (Oliphant, 2018). Contrarily, most of the republicans are still firm supporters of death sentences. 77% of Democrats support death penalty compared to 35% of the republican. Apart from politics, there are also gender, racial, and religious differences ...