Is the Death Penalty Effective Essay

Introduction

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is regarded as an act of putting someone to death using various methods, following serious crimes committed such as murder.

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The most common way of executing capital punishment is by hanging or decapitating, and despite the fact that many nations refrain from the death penalty, other states still practice it. The United States and some parts of Asia exercise capital punishment. The death penalty is most feared punishment in recent times, the question of whether it is constitutional remains. (Steiker & Carol 1-97) States that capital punishment is a method used in ancient days, during the slavery era when individuals had no rights. From such a perspective, I, therefore, do not see the execution fit in our civilized society. The death penalty is a cruel punishment, and its practice confirms a violation of human rights.

How Effective Is the Death Penalty?

Capital punishment in the US begins with the influence of Britain. The first case in 1608 was reported in Virginia (Donohue, Amp & Wolfers, 59). Kendall, the victim was accused of spying, hence threatening the national security of Spain. This period, states had individual laws on capital punishment. The first execution was in Massachusetts in 1630. The abolitionist movement, who argued that there should be no sensible cause of terminating life, borrowed the works of Cesare Beccaria. The increasing pressure from the abolitionists in the 19th century made capital punishment banned from the public and prisoners would be in correctional facilities. The cases of the Death Penalty declined because of the civil war. The priority then was to end slavery. During this time, the electric chair was introduced; the first victim of execution was William Kemmler in New York (Sunstein, Amp, and Vermuele, 71). More states opposed capital punishment in mid- 20th Century. The number of executions considerably dropped towards the end of the century.

Policy-makers in accordance with the law believe that capital punishment is effective in the deterrence of crime and cases of first-degree murders was reduced. More than 58 countries the world are still carrying out capital punishment and the US still insists on it in the case of first degree murders (Sunstein & Vermuele, 58). In research findings and studies, criminals are highly motivated and have a great passion to overcome the deterrent effect of the capital punishment. To emerge with a long-term result or solution to the problem of people failing to adhere to social standards, they are controlled by totally removing them out of the community (Steiker, 93). This solution implies that if a person is found guilty of heinous crimes, they should be subjected to capital punishment. However, it should be kept in mind that punishing the offenders extends the suffering of the family members and they eventually become distressed. people who are against Death penalty argue that death execution is costlier than life imprisonment. Psychology research done on criminal minds revealed that criminals are highly motivated and determined that it cannot be affected regardless of the death execution in place (Hatch & Walsh, 23). As an outcome, capital punishment is not the best option or solution to stopping criminals in society. The failure of capital punishment, therefore, means that the society should promote pro-social values that cause people to promote peaceful co-existence and observe social standards.

The Law and Society Association and The American Society of Criminology have been carrying out joint studies to advice judicial process related to Death Penalty (Bishop &amp amp Osler,51). These joint projects involving important policymakers are significantly needed for the foundation of a knowledgeable stand on controversial matters. This research can be made from a cost-benefit analysis through evaluating the policy's positive and negative view. Death execution was discovered to be slightly effective in scaring people from committing murders. There are some other studies that have checked on the public to know their take on controversial issues (Bishop & Osler, 69). The results have revealed that people do not trust or do not believe in the death penalty due to many flaws it has. The process and investigation have resulted in convicting the wrong person. As much the law is being put into practice, a human heart must be put into consideration and justice served appropriately. The death sentence is not a bad idea as such but should be served diligently following full law stipulates.

Certain citizens support capital punishment by holding the unrealistic advantages the act deters lawbreakers from committing serious crimes. Others claim that the death penalty is a quick, humane and painless sentence compared to setting criminals many years in prison. Well, in my opinion, I do not support capital punishment, for some reasons. Most importantly, exercising death penalty is morally wrong, as it is a way of seeking revenge by aiming to kill criminals. I do not think that taking someone's life justifies the committed crime and brings a sense of relief or comfort. According to Bohm (116), such feelings are inhumane and temporary, and only create an attitude of eye to eye in the communities. The Jeffrey Curley situation of 1997 is good evidence of this menace (Ring, 2007).

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are no facts that executing criminals minimizes the number of crimes. Even with the practice of processes, many citizens find themselves in prison. Additionally, people who kill criminals in the name of justice, put the blood of the person on their hands, making them live with the guilt. In another case, capital punishment does not get reasonably exercised, as it promotes racism, and substantial evidence reveals that some courts are impulsive and biased in sentencing individuals.

Works Cited

Bohm, Robert M. Deathquest: An introduction to the theory and practice of capital punishment in the United States. Taylor & Francis, 2016, 116.

Donohue III, John J., and Wolfers, Justin. (2006). Uses and abuses of empirical evidence in the death penalty debate (No. w11982). National Bureau of Economic Research, 59.

Hatch, Virginia Leigh, and Anthony Walsh. Capital Punishment: Theory and Practice of the Ultimate Penalty. Oxford University Press, 2016. 13-78.

Osler, Mark, and Jeanne Bishop. &amp quot Victims: Transforming the Death Penalty Debate. capital punishment: New Perspectives." Routledge, 2016. 50-77.

Ring, M. J. (2007). Legalized Murder: The Death Penalty Serves Revenge and Does Nothing to Solve Crime. Retrieved from http://tech.mit.edu/V117/N51/ring.51c.html

Steiker, Carol S. &amp Victims: Transforming the Death Penalty Debate. capital punishment: New Perspectives." Routledge, 2016. 50-77.

Ring, M. J. (2007). Legalized Murder: The Death Penalty Serves Revenge and Does Nothing to Solve Crime. Retrieved from http://tech.mit.edu/V117/N51/ring.51c.html

Steiker, Carol S. &amp Capital punishment and American exceptionalism.&amp quot Or. L. Rev., 2002, 1-97.

Sunstein, Cass R., and Adrian Vermeule. &amp quot Is Capital Punishment Morally Required-Acts, Omissions, and Life-Life Tradeoffs & Stanford Law Review, 2005, 58-102.