Evaluating the Effectiveness of Life Without Parole as an Alternative to the Death Penalty

Abstract

Death penalty in the United States has been steadily replaced by life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) sentences since 2001. As of July 2021, the number of people on death row imprisoned in state, federal, or military prisons was down to a thirty-year low, which translated to a 33% decrease since its peak in July 2001. On the other hand, the number of people serving LWOP increased by 66% since 2003. This paper reviews current academic literature to compare the pros and cons of LWOP and death penalty from financial and psychological points of view in response to the question of whether LWOP is a more effective alternative to the death penalty in the United States. From a total cost perspective, LWOP is less costly to execute than that of a death sentence. Psychologically speaking, LWOP may be more satisfactory for both families of the victims and defendants. However, while LWOP has been regarded by many as more humane, its effectiveness has been degraded by harsh policies in the 1980s and 1990, which have resulted in prison overcrowding and the United States having the highest prison incarnation rate in the world. In addition, diminishing rights is a common issue experienced by LWOP prisoners. Therefore, the author concludes that while LWOP has strengths over the death penalty, its ultimate effectiveness remains in question.