Question 1

In a recent national opinion poll, approximately what percent of supporters of capital punishment chose future dangerousness as a reason for their support?

Accepted Answer

A

Question 2

In which of the following states is 'future dangerousness' a statutory aggravating factor?

Accepted Answer

Future dangerousness is a statutory aggravating factor in Texas. It allows the prosecution to argue that the defendant poses a continued threat to society if they are not sentenced to death.

Question 3

How many inmates between 1973 and November 2015, have been released from death row because of evidence of their innocence?

Accepted Answer

As of November 2015, more than 100 inmates have been released from death row due to evidence of their innocence. This reflects the significant number of wrongful convictions that have been identified and rectified in the criminal justice system over the years.

Question 4

Based on interviews in a Virginia prison from 1986 to 1999 with more than 100 imprisoned "street criminals" most of whom were murderers, which of the following aggravating factors should be eliminated to narrow death eligibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on interviews in a Virginia prison...

Question 5

Based on interviews in a Virginia prison from 1986 to 1999 with more than 100 imprisoned "street criminals" most of whom were murderers, which of the following mitigating factors should be modified to narrow death eligibility?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Based on interviews in a Virginia prison...

Question 6

According to study of life-sentenced Texas capital murder defendants, approximately what percent of them are likely to commit a repeat murder over a 40-year period?

Accepted Answer

According to the study of life-sentenced Texas capital murder defendants, less than 1% of them are likely to commit a repeat murder over a 40-year period.

Question 7

According to recent studies of life-sentenced Texas, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Florida capital murder defendants, which of the following factors was the most influential predictor of prison violence?

Accepted Answer

Age at the time of entering prison was found to be the most influential predictor of prison violence among life-sentenced Texas, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Florida capital murder defendants. Younger inmates are more likely to engage in violent behavior.

Question 8

Which of the following is not true about the Potosi Correctional Center (PCC) in Missouri and the violent misconduct of 3,403 inmates confined at PCC between January 1991 and January 2002?

Accepted Answer

The statement in option D is not true. The rates of major and minor assaults of death-sentenced inmates were not higher than those of LWOP inmates or inmates serving parole-eligible terms.

Question 9

By 2005, how many of the 589 Furman-commuted death row inmates had been released from prison?

Accepted Answer

By 2005, 322 of the 589 Furman-commuted death row inmates had been released from prison. This reflects the number of inmates who were no longer incarcerated following the commutation of their death sentences due to the Furman v. Georgia decision.

Question 10

By 2005, what percent of the 589 Furman-commuted death row inmates released from prison were returned to prison?

Accepted Answer

According to the passage, 200 of the 589 Furman-commuted death row inmates were released on parole, and of those, 68 were returned to prison for new crimes. To find the percentage returned to prison, we can divide 68 by 200 and multiply by 100, getting 34%. Therefore, the answer is C: 34.

Question 11

According to the evidence, what percent of convicted capital offenders probably will not kill again?

Accepted Answer

According to various studies and expert opinions, it is estimated that over 90% of convicted capital offenders will not commit another murder if they were not executed. This high percentage suggests that the vast majority of these individuals do not pose a continuing threat to society in terms of committing another capital crime.

Question 12

According to a 2014 national opinion poll, approximately what percent of supporters of capital punishment selected "Saves taxpayers' money/Costs associated with prison" as an important reason for their support?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2014 national opinion poll, approximately 14% of supporters of capital punishment selected "Saves taxpayers' money/Costs associated with prison" as an important reason for their support.

Question 13

In an analysis of nearly 4,000 New York Times stories about capital punishment published from 1960 through 2005, how many stories mentioned cost on either side of the debate?

Accepted Answer

The analysis found that only 20 stories mentioned cost on either side of the debate, highlighting a significant gap in the coverage of economic aspects related to capital punishment.

Question 14

By year-end 2013, what the approximate average time between death sentence and execution?

Accepted Answer

By year-end 2013, the approximate average time between death sentence and execution in the United States had increased to about 186 months, or 15.5 years. This reflects the lengthy appeals process, legal challenges, and other delays that can occur in death penalty cases.

Question 15

Why was the death penalty not an expensive punishment relative to LWOP prior to the Furman decision?

Accepted Answer

Prior to the Furman decision, the death penalty was not considered an expensive punishment relative to life without parole (LWOP) for several reasons: capital cases were disposed of more quickly, there were no extraordinary legal procedures compared to today, reversals on appeal were relatively rare, and the direct costs associated with carrying out executions were minimal. These factors combined made the death penalty less costly in comparison to LWOP before the legal changes brought about by the Furman v. Georgia decision in 1972.

Question 16

According to a recent estimate, how much does the death penalty cost California taxpayers annually?

Accepted Answer

According to a recent estimate by the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice, the death penalty costs California taxpayers approximately $137 million annually. This is due to the lengthy appeals process, increased security measures, and the cost of housing death row inmates.

Question 17

According to a recent estimate, what would it approximately cost California taxpayers annually for a comparable system that sentenced inmates to LWOP instead of death?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to a recent estimate, what would...

Question 18

According to the available evidence, what is the estimated cost per execution in the United States (in 2015 dollars)?

Accepted Answer

According to multiple studies and analyses, the estimated cost per execution in the United States ranges from $1.7 million to $7 million, depending on factors such as appeals and length of time spent on death row.

Question 19

Approximately how much did the state of Florida reportedly spend to execute serial murderer Ted Bundy in 1989 (in 2015 dollars)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Approximately how much did the state of...

Question 20

Approximately how much did the federal government reportedly spend to execute mass murderer Timothy McVeigh (in 2015 dollars)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Approximately how much did the federal government...

Quiz 8: Future Dangerousness, Incapacitation, and Economic Costs of Capital Punishment