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capital punishment2

capital punishment2 For years capital punishment has been a source of heated debate in the United States. The tension surrounding this issue is most certainly understandable. Most of all, there is the question of morality. The cold factor of cost is another issue that has continued to fuel the fire of this debate. In order to effectively evaluate whether or not the death penalty is applicable, we must first determine a few of the more important aspects of the issue. First, we must look at whether or not it is effective; if it deters crime. Next, we should look at the cost differences between imprisonment and capital punishment. Finally, legal and moral issues should be contemplated. Once these factors have been looked at, I feel it will be apparent that the death penalty is the only answer in dealing with certain criminals. Personally, I could not care less if capital punishment is a deterrent or not. My reasons for agreeing with the death penalty lie more along the lines of retribution. However, if it is in fact a deterrent, that is just an added bonus. The data on the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent seems unclear. However, in New York State, violent crime decreased by 23%, assaults declined by 22%, and the murder rate dropped by 32% after the death penalty was reinstated in 1995 (Pataki, 1997:53). Although this data supports that capital punishment does deter crime, there is data that shows the opposite. There are roughly 20,000 homicides a year in the United States ( van den Hagg 1986:266). If any of those deaths are prevented because the potential perpetrator was fearful of the death penalty, then capital punishment has fulfilled a portion of its duty. Furthermore, if someone convicted of murder is put to death, there is no chance for him or her to kill again. When examining capital punishment it is important to address the factor the criminal justice system truly revolves around--money. Many people are concerned with the money spent on capital punishment. The fact that trials and appeals are so costly can not be denied. None the less, imprisonment for life can be extremely costly as well. It costs around $20,000 per year to house someone in prison. Based on the average age of thirty-four at time of imprisonment and the average life expectancy of sixty years puts the cost at $520,000(Benedict, 2002). Does justice have a price tag? Simply being more cost effective in no way makes imprisonment more just. If someone takes a life they should not expect a bed and three squares a day, they should expect to die regardless of the cost. I would rather see my tax dollars go toward true justice as opposed to saving money to keep a murderer fed. The extra cost of execution can be excused in order to bring closure to the victim’s family. When considering the deterrent effects of the death penalty also, it is worth every dime. Another possibility is cutting down the number of appeals. However, this would pose some problems concerning true guilt or innocence. All we can hope for is science and crime investigation to improve to the point that there is little or no doubt. Part of what makes capital punishment such a debated issue is its moral implications. One argument against capital punishment’s morality is that it is unlawful and unconstitutional. If this were in fact true, it would be an extremely valid argument. However, the Supreme Court decided in the case of Furman v. Georgia that capital punishment is unconstitutional only when discrimination becomes involved. It was decided that the death penalty itself was not in violation of our eighth amendment rights of no cruel and unusual punishment (Cox and Wade,1998:224). Capital punishment is fully constitutional when used in a non-discriminatory manner. Then, there is the question of morality regarding the execution of a person through capital punishment. Would executing someone be less moral than locking them up for life? If the court system were morally allowed to decide how the remainder of a person’s life would be spent, then why would it be less moral for them to decide that that life should be terminated? If anything, the death penalty is more humane than life imprisonment. Firstly, the inmate would be spared a life of degradation. Secondly, it would be immoral to the victim’s family if the criminal were allowed to live or even be paroled. The family of the victim has no option to visit their lost loved one, whereas the murderer in prison can see his family whenever they come to visit. Although some ethics of capital punishment may be questionable, they are far more ethical than their alternatives. The mentally ill and handicapped should be exempt from capital punishment. If someone of sound mind is found guilty of premeditated murder than they should be swiftly put to death. Not thirty days later, rather thirty seconds. From the courtroom to the guillotine. I feel that the guillotine is swift, painless, and cost effective. Every person has the right to live. When one person purposely takes the life of another, that person must pay the price with their own life. In my opinion, there is no greater or more serious crime than murder. The death penalty should be pure and simple. If you take it upon yourself to take a life, yours shall be taken from you. Infringing on someone else’s right to live is not acceptable. Bibliography: Bibliography Cox, Steven M. and John E. Wade 1998 The Criminal Justice Network Pp.223-226 Boston, Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill Publishers. Pataki, George E. 1997 “Death Penalty as a Deterrent.” USA TODAY 125:52-54. Van den Haag, Ernest 1986 “The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense,” Pp.266-271 in Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Contraversial Issues in Crime and Criminology. 2001. Edited by Richard C. Monk. Dushkin/McGraw-Hill Publishing: Guilford Connecticut.

Word Count: 913