Circumstances

Colin Cohen published his essay “No Death Penalty, No Easter Bunny” on his blog in 2003. The essay is about the capital punishment debate in the US.

Reports from 2003 by The Death Penalty Information Center showed that death penalty numbers were declining and public support for the measure was at its lowest level in 25 years. Statistics also showed that 65 executions were carried out in 2003, 34% less than in 1999.

The essay also makes a few references to circumstances in the US related to crime and the death penalty: “…statistics do not show any reduction in violent crime in states where the death penalty has been imposed…” (p. 70, ll. 3-5)

The writer mentions the problems of the prison system with overcrowding and increased expenses: “There are approximately two million ...