For a long time now, society has been trying to figure out whether a crime so heinous exists for which a death penalty is needed to avenge the victim. Many argue that capital punishment is an abomination as the people who carry out the act are playing God and it is not a humane form of punishment. However, I disagree with that notion, since some crimes are so heinous, capital punishment seems like the only way the perpetrator can be punished and the victim avenged.
Capital punishment sends a clear message to all that the crime for which this punishment was meted out will not be tolerated at all. Lifelong imprisonment, however, does not enforce this idea, as it does not seem as harsh to some and makes the law look too sympathetic towards the criminal as compared to the victim. A punishment which fails to make an example of the perpetrator and scare future perpetrators is no punishment at all. And what about the victim? Does the innocent victim have no right to be avenged? As Source F points out, “it cheapens the life of an innocent murder victim to say that society has no right to keep the murderer from ever killing again.” Therefore, capital punishment not only “deters violent crime” (Source G) but it also protects other citizens from being harmed ever again. Lifelong imprisonment, however, does not guarantee the security of others as a breakout is entirely too possible and also possibilities of parole may endanger the lives of the people who testified against him.
Putting aside moral obligations, capital punishment is a better option for crimes like murder as the “cost of imprisoning someone for life is much more expensive than executing that same person” (Source A). So financially speaking, a death penalty is more beneficial for a government than lifelong imprisonment. It is also more beneficial for the society as the money used to imprison someone can instead be used to improve the fundamental facilities needed for a prosperous society. Isn’t it better that by taking a life, so many other lives can be improved? Also, if lifelong imprisonment costs more and still does not diminish the threat or deter crime, why should extra money be spent on such criminals? The money would be better spent if rehabilitation centers were built for those who actually show signs of turning over a new leaf and becoming better people. Murderers on the other hand, are usually beyond the point of return and it is futile to spend extra on such criminals.
Therefore, it can be concluded that capital punishment is morally and financially a better form of retribution for some criminals than any other form of punishment. So why should such a punishment be fought against when it serves the society in a more just and beneficial way?
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The death penalty is set in place to punish individuals for the most violent crimes. Its purpose to keep the death penalty legal was to deter people from doing these horrible crimes. That attempt has failed terribly. According to a report conducted by the National Research Council, it was said that we could not depend on the death penalty to deter the effect of murder rates. “Claiming that the death penalty has a deterrent effect on murder rates are fundamentally flawed and should not be used when making policy decisions” (Radelet & Locock, 2012).…
- 679 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty is only an act of vengeance. I am highly against capital punishment. Our constitution is supposed to protect all lives, even the lives of a criminal. Yes terrible and traumatic actions are committed, but it is strongly stated that there is still no right to murder the guilty. The death penalty is actually the most overlooked form of government hypocrisy. Why should the government murder people to show murder is wrong? Will there ever be an actual lesson to learn?…
- 534 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Although the death penalty pushes discipline and severe consequences for the crimes that have been committed, life in prison is more humane and less expensive. Many victims feel that the death penalty can give them closure, knowing that the culprit is dead. When we convict someone of a crime, it is not right to kill them. Prison could change them. If you do not use the death penalty, their families could still visit and maintain a relationship with them.…
- 424 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty has pros and cons. Some of the pros of the death penalty are that it frees more space for incoming prisoners, therefore we can pay less taxes. The amount of space taken from prisoners who have a life sentence take up to much space and the death penalty would prevent that from happening. The cost of the death penalty is dramatically lower then the cost of the sentence “Life Without Parole” JFA [Justice for All] estimates that life without parole cases will cost $1.2 million-$3.6 million more than equivalent death penalty cases. There is no question that the up front costs of the death penalty are significantly higher than for equivalent life without parole cases. There also appears to be no question that, over time, equivalent life without parole cases are much more expensive... than death penalty cases. Opponents ludicrously claim that the death penalty costs, over time, 3-10 times more than life without parole. The death penalty would possibly make people afraid to commit a felony because they might be punished with the ultimate punishment… Death.…
- 360 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty could be a cost effective way of getting rid of dangerous criminals. Maintaining each death row prisoner cost the taxpayers ninety thousand more per year than a prisoner in a general population. Getting rid of people on death row will save taxpayers a lot more money. It could be a cost effective way of getting rid of dangerous criminals and to keep the less violent criminals in for longer. Getting rid of people who are on a life sentence or on death row will save taxpayers a lot of money which could be spent on other things in…
- 715 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Many more economically developed countries such as USA, United States of America, still use capital punishment to date. A vast population of the people present here today may feel that USA using the death penalty is not acceptable. However I personally feel that capital punishment acts as a deterrent on the public and discourages them to commit such crimes from quite a young age. This leads to a more secure upbringing of the child and due to this the child is less likely to commit a serious crime compared to a child who knows that there is no harsh consequences involved. It also discourages adults who are likely to commit a crime since they now know that it will only lead to their own death. Results show 3,100 out of 100,000 people are involved in violent crimes in the UK whereas in USA only 380 out of 100,000 people are involved in violent crimes. That's about 8 times more! This further proves…
- 698 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
People who support the death penalty would argue that the death penalty deters people from murder because they are scared of being sentenced to death. It might scare some people, but the vast majority of murders would kill anyway, for most murders are not rationalizing their actions. Also, according to some being sentenced to life is a worse punishment than the death penalty for death would put them out of their misery. The life sentence is just as bad as a death sentence, so why have the death penalty at all? The death penalty is not beneficial. It only creates problems.…
- 2248 Words
- 9 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital punishment has not been proven to deter crime and it opens the possibility of executing innocent people. That is why the United States of America should abolish the death penalty.…
- 971 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
“ For hundreds of years people have considered capital punishment a deterrence of crime. Seven hundred and five individuals have died since 1976, by means of capital punishment; twenty-two of these executions have already occurred this year at Death Penalty Information Center”, exclaims Tara Volpe in her article, Capital Punishment: Does Death Equal Justice? In another article written by Coretta King, the author states that, “In recent years, an increase of violence in America, both individual and political, has prompted a backlash of public opinion on capital punishment”. Capital punishment is a tremendous issue that faces the criminal justice system. Some people think that capital punishment is a good idea for those who commit capital or very serious crimes; on the other hand, some people believe that capital punishment is wrong. In reality, capital punishment is wrong for several reasons.…
- 682 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty, has been effective tool in our country’s justice system since its inception. When an inmate is given this, the harshest sentence available, it is always with just cause. Capital Punishment is an important tool in our criminal justice system today and there are several reasons it should remain in effect.…
- 1275 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Capital punishment is embedded on an offender in case or a murder, drug trafficking, rape of a minor, treason, espionage, and few others. There are many questions that can be asked concerning this issue. Some are: Does it affect your religion? Do you believe it deters crime? Is the cost of the death penalty worth it? Is it humane? Noted in interviewing on these questions, most of the people say that the death penalty does not deter crime, that it is against their religion, it is a humane way to kill people, and that the cost is not worth it. For the most part the people whom were interviewed believe that the offenders who have committed capital crimes should just be put in jail for life instead of being put on the death…
- 1261 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Capital Punishment or commonly known as the death penalty is the punishment of ending one’s life for a serious crime that they committed. The death penalty serves both as a good consequence and as a deterrent or prevention for future crimes. Capital Punishment addresses crimes that simply cannot be repaid, or compensated for. If one were to rob a store the thief can payback the amount that was stolen, in fact, under biblical law from the bible the criminal would then be tasked to work for the person he or she robbed from until the debt itself was repaid several times over the amount that was stolen. And with the criminals dedication to such a payback would then be freed and by his honorable labor be restored to a position a trust once more. As for the murder no matter how much or how hard he is to work he cannot bring back life from the dead, he can never again regain society’s trust. His victim or victims will remain dead.…
- 684 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital punishment has been a long-debated issue. Some states enforce it while others have abolished it. The United States is one of the few modern industrialized countries that still has capital punishment. There are several reasons, however, to support capital punishment. First, it’s economically a better choice; secondly, there are some crimes that a life sentence just isn’t fitting for the crime; and finally, it brings some sort of closure to the victim’s family. For these reasons I support capital punishment.…
- 454 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital punishment is an act of justice, retribution, and closure for victims involved in the crime. The abuser finally receives a verdict for the damage that was caused, takes responsibility for the actions, and faces the consequences given. Crime disturbs the order of peace and liberty and is an act of selfishness on behalf of the culprit. “To restore this order, the wrongdoer pays a price equivalent to the harm he has done. This is retribution, not to be confused…
- 1450 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Capital punishment imposes justification for punishment with retribution in the form of a life for a life. Capital punishment is a very controversial issue because of its effects on society. Many believe that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to murderer; however, according to Nygard K. (1996) "… states with active capital punishment have a stable, higher rate of homicide than those without capital punishment. Nygard K. (1996) asserts that… Research revealed that homicide rates actually escalate after a criminal has been executed. Givens M. (1992) points out a noteworthy disadvantage to retribution… Capital punishment is irreversible and a person that has been wrongfully judged and put to death can not be brought back to…
- 1618 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays