Myth vs Fact
The belief that the death penalty effectively deters crime is one of the most persistent misconceptions in criminal justice. Engage with the evidence below to separate long-standing myths from academic and statistical reality. How deep is your understanding of the deterrence effect?
The Data
Statistical Silence
The Timing Fallacy
International Trends
A review by The National Research Council of the National Academies’ of 3 decades of research found that studies claiming a deterrent effect of the death penalty are fundamentally flawed. The council concluded that research is not informative about whether the death penalty increases, decreases, or has no effect on homicide rates.
The theory of deterrence relies on 'swift and certain' punishment for psychological impact. In reality, the legal process in capital cases takes decades, rendering the perceived threat ineffective as a deterrent for the accused offender. Additionally, since the death penalty is not imposed in every murder case, it is not certain, so it is also ineffective in deterring potential offenders.
International longitudinal data suggests that countries which have abolished the death penalty have witnessed a decline in murder rates. As of 2018, ten out of the eleven countries that had abolished the death penalty between 2008 and 2018 had experienced declines in murder rate after abolition. Collective justice is better served by systems that prioritize rehabilitation over retribution.
THE FRONT LINES OF DETERRENCE
Academic insights, case studies, and campus perspectives from Eastern Illinois University students leading the movement to dismantle state-sponsored violence.
Make Your Case
The belief that the death penalty effectively deters crime is a myth. As an EIU student, you are part of the solution. It's time to demand a criminal justice system rooted in evidence, not vengeance. Speak up for those silenced by injustice.
Representative's Office: 217-555-0199 | Legislative Liaison: justice@eiu-deterrence.org | Campus Chapter: Taylor Hall, Room 302
The Death Penalty is Not an Effective Deterrent
Accurate Information or Misinformation?
Participate in this quiz from The Myth of Deterrence campaign for EIU students to test your knowledge on the death penalty and its supposed deterrence effect. Are you ready to separate political myth from academic reality? Select your answer for each claim below. You will receive immediate right/wrong feedback after each question to help clarify the evidence surrounding capital punishment.
Did This Page Change Your View?
Your answers will help social scientists understand whether learning about the evidence changes how people think about the death penalty as a deterrent to crime.