cost conservatively at three times that of life imprisonment, the ratio that Texas (with a system that is on the brink of collapse due to under-funding) has experienced (Freedman 49). As Anderson points out, "the monetary cost of appealing a capital sentence is excessive." (14). Further, "actual monetary costs are trumped by the importance of doing justice." (Anderson 14). Additionally there are specific costs associated with keeping an inmate on death row, (i.e. the cost of the specially built prison blocks, the need for maximum security, etc.) and more. These costs clearly out weigh the regular costs incurred to house a regular inmate. With the millions spent executing prisoners, the government could use that money more effectively trying to solve violent crimes, and developing methods to improve public safety.Society demands that the punishment should fix the harm it has done. By sentencing a person to death no harm has been fixed. You can not bring the murdered person back by taking the prisoners life. "Punishment-regardless of the motivation is not intended to revenge, offset, or compensate for the victims suffering or to be measured by it." (Vila 128). The community demands that justice be served. Would justice not equally be served and in fact may be better served by life imprisonment? I believe it would be a worse punishment to endure a life sentence in prison. The individual is deprived of his liberty. He will then suffer and live the rest of his or her life within three lonely walls and a set of bars. It gives the individual time to think and wallow in his own guilt. ..Someone kills another person. The State then proceeds to kill him for doing so. This is not punishment but revenge. Revenge is inconsistent with societys demands that justice be served because the punishment has to fit the crime. Justice Brennan has insisted that the death penalty is "uncivilized, " "inhuman," inconsistent with "human dignity" and with the "di...
