Citation

Yang Lester B, Lester D. J. Crim. Justice 2008; 36(5): 453-460.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2008.07.008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In 1975, Ehrlich published a seminal paper in American Economic Review which argued that executions prevent murders in America. Subsequent empirical studies varied in their methodology and the time-period/region/country covered. and therefore it is difficult to draw a clear conclusion about the deterrent effect of executions. This article applies a meta-analysis to combine the results from refereed studies in order to summarize objectively the findings. The overall results of the meta-analysis supported the deterrent effect of executions. but the evidence for a deterrent effect depended on the type of study carried out (time-series and panel data versus cross-sectional data and the effects of publicity).