In this course, you will have a chance to examine the roots of the death penalty and the controversy surrounding it in modern America. Who's for it and who's against it? What are some of the arguments for either side? How do the courts feel about the death penalty and the possibly of putting innocent people on death row? We will dissect all of these questions and look at special areas including execution of the mentally ill, the mentally impaired and juvenile offenders as well as the different laws in different states. You will also look at the history of capital punishment, its evolution and how race, gender and class play into the controversies surrounding it. Be prepared to defend your views and be ready to examine both sides of this issue.
Incarceration Trends: Race, Gender and Class
Many people believe race, gender and socioeconomic class play a major role when it comes to deciding who gets put on Death Row. Who goes to prison and why they are there is a major issue facing the field of corrections. Why is there a disproportionate number of minorities in prison and jail? What can we do to lower these statistics? Does discrimination and inequality influence judicial decisions?
The death penalty will continue to be a red button issue among the American people and as a member of the corrections profession, it is up to you to be abreast on the laws and controversies surrounding it.
* You will learn that execution as a means of punishing criminals has existed since the beginning of recorded history; however, public opinion about the death penalty has gone through great shifts in the past century. Unfortunately, there are a disproportionate number of minorities incarcerated at the present time.