Sociology Statistical Assessment of Capital Thesis

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60.2% of white inmates were executed that had initially been removed from being under a sentence of death versus 38.9% of blacks that met these criteria as part of the sample. While this cross-tabulation shows there is not a statistically significant relationship between blacks vs. whites having their sentences commuted, Hispanic Origin will prove to have statistical significance when bivariate correlation analysis is used to analyze the data. Additional research into the strength of relationships between those receiving commuted sentences and race need to be completed however, before a statistically significant conclusion can be reached across all ethnic groups in the sample. More in-depth analysis techniques including factor analysis to either accept or refute these findings as they pertain to this data set.

The third analysis is based on bivariate correlation matrices using both Pearson's correlation coefficient for parametrically-based analysis and Kendall's Tau_b and Spearman's Rho for non-parametrically based analysis. The results are shown in Table 3, Correlation Analysis of V31 to Selected Demographic Variables.

Table 3: Correlation Analysis of V31 to Selected Demographic Variables

Most significant in explaining the variation in the reason for inmate's removal from under sentence of death is Legal Status (V18). From the previous series of cross-tabulations completed the value for V18 of "Not Sent - No Charges Pending" followed by "Not Under Sentence - Charges Pending" provide the greatest levels of explanation of variation in why an inmate gains a commuted sentence. The abbreviated table to the right also provides insight into how strong the relationships of these variables are.

Conclusions

In assessing why inmates gain commuted sentences through the use of statistical analysis, it's apparent that socio-demographic factors only partially explain why these sentences are granted.

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In the majority of cases, commuted sentences lead to life sentences instead. According to the series of cross-tabulations completed it is rare for an inmate to gain a commuted sentence and their freedom from prison. Despite the analysis showing that career criminals do attain commuted death sentences, there is little statistical support for the belief of commuted sentences leading to life outside of prison. Instead, this analysis shows that education, Hispanic origin and age all are significant factors leading to a person becoming a career criminal with multiple convictions. More analysis of this data is warranted to understand the specific dynamics of how commuted sentences can potentially be predicted base on the factors captured in this data set. The fact that Texas leads the nations in executions and also in commuted sentences speaks to their interpretation of capital punishment (Cunningham, Sorensen, 2007) and their approach to interpreting felony offenses and laws. This analysis supports the contention that the more conservative a state the greater the tendency to execute a prisoner as well (McCann, 2008). The data however does not support the assertion of previous researchers however of racially-based execution vs. commution of sentences however (Peffley, Hurwitz, 2007). Additional analysis of this data set is needed to reach specific conclusions on why Hispanic Origin and the nature of a career criminals' history are predictors of commutation of sentences in the U.S......

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