tatistics say that half the states with the death penalty have homicide rates above the national average, and 10 of the 12 states without the death penalty have homicide rates below the national average (Bonner). “Whatever the factors are that affect change in homicide rates, they don’t seem to operate differently based on the the presence or absence of the death penalty in a state,” said Steven Messner, a criminologist at the State University of NY at Albany (Bonner). The statistics, also, incenuate that the threat of a death penalty rarely deters criminals. This may be true; however, the death penalty is to punish criminals, not to stop crimes. The threat of a lifetime in prison does not affect criminals either.Many believe that rehabilitation is the answer. The truth is that rehabilitation has been proven to be uneffective, and capital punishment is often the only penalty that matches the shocking nature of some crimes (Bonner). The death penalty, also, can bring a closure to the victims’ families (Bonner). Revenge has been taken, and the victims’ families have recieved “an eye for an eye.” It may even help bring closure to the criminals’ families. The Fifth Amendment states that “no persons shall be held to answer for a capital... crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury... nor be deprived of life... without the due process of law (Is the death).” This clearly permits the death penalty to be imposed. The Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is not a “cruel and unusual” punishment in 1976 (Sealey), therefore that argument is eliminated.The death penalty is not overused. The government is not killing people left and right. The last federal execution was 37 years ago (Justice Dept sees). Releasing innocent inmates from death row is evidence that the system is working (Sealey). The innocent people are being released, not killed....
