The development of sentencing system has undergone a number of changes. Its historical overflow gives an opportunity evaluating the role of death penalty in various countries throughout the world.
Sentencing System
The development of sentence system was merely based upon the factors listed below; it meant that in accordance with these aspects the defendants used to get their punishment.
Sentencing Typology
It is important to stress that sentencing all around the world is characterized by the following aspects:
- The content covering all illegal determined actions;
- Issuing organ meaning monocratic court judgments;
- Legal competence covering appeals, single judges, etc.
- Legal Field containing various levels of civil, constitutional, administrative judgments.
Death Penalty History
- Death penalty law was initially introduced ion eighteenth century BC.
- The first person being executed was Captain George Kendall (1608);
- Britain practiced capital punishment in the period 1823-1837 covering about 222 crimes;
- The first corrections in the sentencing system were made in Pennsylvania in 1834.
- In 1846 the capital punishment was abolished for the first time in Michigan;
- Mass abolishment of death penalty worldwide is observed since 1907;
- The federal death penalty is expanded in 1994 by Law Enforcement Act;
- 2005 – death penalty is declared to be unconstitutional and cruel.
Capital Punishment in the USA
The table demonstrates the last four centuries in the death penalty development in the USA. One can observe the increase of punishment usage in 17th, 18th centuries. At the beginning of the 20th century capital punishment was at the peak; the chart shows rapid change in modern law system compared to the previous centuries.
Correction System
The sentencing system has undergone major corrections in the flow of its development related to:
- Probation;
- Jail;
- Prison;
- Parole.
Federal Prisons Under Correction
The table demonstrates the number of sentenced people imprisoned by federal law under correction. It shows the changes in the total number of crimes under the correction system development.
Recidivism Rates in the USA
- About 70% of released prisoners being rearrested are robbers, 77,4% – guilty for stolen property;
- 2,5% – rapists, 1,2% – homicide serving;
- 744,000 of prisoners have been rearrested in the USA for the last 3 years.
Conclusion
- Death Penalty was considered to be the principle punishment;
- Correction system development influenced the number of crimes worldwide;
- Sentencing system focusing on the capital punishment was recognized as unconstitutional.
References
Smith, M. (2000). Reforming Sentencing and Corrections. Executive Sessions.
Sentencing and Corrections. Web.
History of Death Penalty. Death Penalty Information Center. Web.