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Methods of execution as institutional fads

Methods of execution as institutional fads The history of capital punishment in the USA reveals a cyclical pattern: critiques of existing methods of execution inspire the adoption of a new method that is presented as more humane and less problematic; this in turn leads to a new round of criticism. The historical shift from hanging to death by electrocution, gas chamber, and — most recently — lethal injection reflects an institutional fad cycle. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Punishment & Society: The International Journal of Penology SAGE

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References (103)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
1462-4745
eISSN
1741-3095
DOI
10.1177/1462474508090227
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The history of capital punishment in the USA reveals a cyclical pattern: critiques of existing methods of execution inspire the adoption of a new method that is presented as more humane and less problematic; this in turn leads to a new round of criticism. The historical shift from hanging to death by electrocution, gas chamber, and — most recently — lethal injection reflects an institutional fad cycle.

Journal

Punishment & Society: The International Journal of PenologySAGE

Published: Jul 1, 2008

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