David Friedman wrote on just this subject: Why Not Hang Them All: The Virtues of Inefficient Punishment His story is that inefficient punishment systems disable enforcers' ability to profit from convictions. Worth a read. Also, non-marginal punishments encourage transgressors to commit greater crimes. read more
David Friedman wrote on just this subject: Why Not Hang Them All: The Virtues of Inefficient Punishment His story is that inefficient punishment systems disable enforcers' ability to profit from convictions. read more
*New Mexico abolished the death penalty on July 1, 2009. BJS lists the statute with a note stating that "Offenders who committed capital offenses prior to that date are eligible for the death penalty." **New York abolished the death penalty in 2007. read more