Arguing against the Death Penalty (Capital punishment)

Member Name: jojo_84

Product:	Capital punishment
Date:	09/11/08 (167 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Reduces nations to the moral level of murderers; produces an endless cycle of violence

Capital punishment has existed for thousands of years in countries across the world. At one time or another most of the world's states have used capital punishment to execute criminals. This has included some of the leading world powers such as Britain, France, Germany and Russia, whilst leading nations such as the United States and China still continue to use the death penalty today.

The death penalty, some argue, acts as a deterrent and, consequently, reduces crime. A research poll conducted by Hart research claims that the majority of police officers do not think that the death penalty is an effective deterrent against crime. Some claim that this policy of 'an eye for an eye' is an effective deterrent. However, although this phrase is taken from the Bible, it is not representative of the Christian doctrine of forgiveness. Taking a life in retaliation for a life is wrong on moral grounds, because it reduces the state to the same moral level as a murderer. In addition, taking a life for a life can have repercussions. In November 2008 three people were executed for their part in the Bali bombings in 2002. The bombings left 202 people dead, but now retaliation in Indonesia against the executions has seen a crowd of twice that number attack local police. Violence provokes violence.

In terms of cost to the taxpayer, it has been argued that the death penalty is a cheaper alternative than keeping a criminal locked up for life. However, studies have shown that the cost of executions is greater than the cost of keeping criminals in jail for the rest of their lives. In particular the cost of acquiring chemicals in the case of execution through lethal injection is particularly high. The L.A. Times (6 March 2005) has claimed that the Californian taxpayer is paying $114 million more per year on executions than they would had the prisoner have been sentenced to life in prison. Floridians are paying $51 million per year extra because the cost of executing criminals is higher than keeping them in jail for life.

Another argument against the death penalty is the fact that the law, like humanity, is naturally prone to error. During court trials juries can arrive at the wrong verdict as a result of discrepancies in interpreting the facts, natural bias and judgement. As has happened too often, people have been punished for crimes they have not committed. In the cases where the death penalty has been applied, this mistake will cost innocent people their lives. The recent case of Scotsman Kenny Richey, who was sentenced to death and later acquitted after spending over 20 years awaiting execution on death row in Ohio, only serves to highlight that innocent people have been labelled with crimes they did not commit.

Finally, many studies have found that during execution criminals go through a torturous amount of pain. Many executions in America have brought this issue to the fore time and again. The executions of individuals such as Allen Lee Davis (whose post-execution photos are, unfortunately, freely available on the internet) and Angel Diaz (who took almost 40 minutes to die after being lethally injected) highlight concern that criminals undergo excruciating pain before dying. Whilst their crimes are appalling and defy reason and explanation, it surely is not a positive reflection on society that they go through the excruciating pain that they have put others through. For me, personally, this goes back to the idea that in doing this we are creating an endless cycle of violence.

The debate surrounding capital punishment is fierce, and it has both its supporters and its detractors. Crimes that have warranted the death penalty have been heinous, barbaric and downright inhumane. The crimes that have been committed should never be forgotten or downplayed. However, on moral grounds I feel that it is wrong to demand the life of a murderer in retaliation for their crimes. Capital punishment, in my opinion, only continues a circle of violence and reduces nations to the moral level of the criminals that they are executing.

Summary: Barbaric and inhumane (could equally apply to both the criminal and the death penalty itself)