| Product: |
Capital punishment |
| Date: |
31/10/05 (152 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: None in my view
Disadvantages: many
Capital punishment has not existed in this country for over half a centuary now whilst in America inmates sentenced to death spend years on death row while their case passes through a long series of legal processes in those states that still have the death penalty.
I have a number of objections to capital punishment and whilst this view may be in the minority in the wider ublic I would be against its re-introduction.
Fortunately I have never had to experience the emotion of losing someone close to me at the hands of another. I can understand that the initial emotion would be a desire for revenge but the award of a death penalty would not be the end of the matter as any system wuld have a long series of appeals which would see the case stretching for years. Each new appeal results in the victims family being reminded of the events surrounding their loss whilst all the time having to face the anxiety that a technicality could see the killers release. Essentially my view is that the whole process hinders the healing process for those affected by the crime.
When someone is sentenced to jail if that decision is ultimately found to be wrong then there is at least a chance to make some amends to the falsely convicted, with the death penalty this option does not exist. British justice is littered with examples of verdicts being overturned based upon new evidence or the improper gathering of evidence at the original trial, for me the risk of one mistake is a risk that is too great.
The death penalty will not reduce crime, if I have killed already and I know that death awaits me if caught I'm more likely to kill again in a bid to escape.
Finally my view is that to take a life is wrong and against my religious beliefs. Morally we have developed beyond the philosophy of an eye for an eye. I do believe that what is needed is sentaces that reflect the crime and that life should mean life for certain crimes.
Summary: Discussion on capital punishment
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