Tag Archives: life without parole

The slow decline of the death penalty in Texas

Maybe a little. Perhaps nothing symbolizes this state’s swagger over being tough on crime like “Old Sparky,” an electric chair that was used to execute 361 inmates and is now the centerpiece of a prison museum. It sits just minutes … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The slow decline of the death penalty in Texas

The effect of life without parole

Death sentences are way down since the law was changed to allow a life without parole sentence. Since a new life-without-parole law took effect in 2005, Harris County — with a national reputation for pursuing capital punishment and home to … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The effect of life without parole

More LWOP, fewer death sentences

The number of death sentences handed out by Texas juries has declined sharply in recent years, with the new life without parole (LWOP) sentence being one reason why. While the debate over capital punishment rages anew in Texas, new inmates … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment