Lethal Injection

Capital Punishment in Texas during the Modern Era

Jonathan R Sorensen author Rocky LeAnn Pilgrim author Evan J Mandery editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of Texas Press

Published:1st May '06

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Lethal Injection cover

An in-depth examination of the policies that have led Texas to execute more prisoners than any other state in the country.

Few state issues have attracted as much controversy and national attention as the application of the death penalty in Texas. In the years since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, Texas has led the nation in passing death sentences and executing prisoners. The vigor with which Texas has implemented capital punishment has, however, raised more than a few questions. Why has Texas been so fervent in pursuing capital punishment? Has an aggressive death penalty produced any benefits? Have dangerous criminals been deterred? Have rights been trampled in the process and, most importantly, have innocents been executed? These important questions form the core of Lethal Injection: Capital Punishment in Texas during the Modern Era.

This book is the first comprehensive empirical study of Texas's system of capital punishment in the modern era. Jon Sorensen and Rocky Pilgrim use a wealth of information gathered from formerly confidential prisoner records and a variety of statistical sources to test and challenge traditional preconceptions concerning racial bias, deterrence, guilt, and the application of capital punishment in this state. The results of their balanced analysis may surprise many who have followed the recent debate on this important issue.

ISBN: 9780292713017

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 454g

238 pages