Debates on the Issue of the Death Penalty - Essay Example

Death Penalty For many years, there have been numerous debates on the issue of death penalty. While some people argue thatdeath penalty should be upheld, there are those who are of the contrary opinion that it should be abolished. The law on conviction of criminals differs from one nation to another, with some nations having stricter laws than others. In addition, the opinion of the public differs on the issue of death penalty. Those who support death penalty cite the benefits that can accrue from it while the opponents pinpoint the negative impacts it can have on society. This essay will outline the debate on death penalty and provide an in-depth explanation of the proponents and opponents of the issue and their differing attitudes. The United States is one of the few nations of the world, which still employs death penalty as a form of punishment for some crimes. The penalty is considered as barbaric and contrary to the values of humanity, as well as American values of human treatment of individuals. However, there are some people who do not object to the death penalty and consider it as a crucial tool that can be employed in the fight against some that have a huge impact on the victim. There are some instances when an innocent person may be hanged to death yet they have not committed any crime. Such mistaking of criminals has led to numerous objections of the death penalty. Since the 1950s, most of the Americans have supported death penalty. There has been, however, tremendous changes in the attitudes towards death penalty since this time with few people supporting execution of murder criminals during the 1960s and 1970s. During the mid-1990s, the debate on death penalty took a new twist with a lot of emphasis been placed on the gender and racial aspects of death penalty. The support for death penalty was low among the blacks, women, as well as Hispanics while white males supported death penalty. Numerous polls conducted in the United States have sought to get know the attitudes of American public towards death penalty. From the studies conducted, it is clear that the attitudes of people towards death penalty are guided by their emotions (Lerne and Wilmoth 234). In the United States, criminal punishment has been riddled with controversy with some people opposing it on the grounds that what motivates law enforcers is revenge as opposed to ensuring that the victims get justice. In most instances, the United States law convicts criminals to death penalties in the case of murders. People who support this point of view hold the argument that doing so acts as a form of retribution, especially to the victims who were affected by the murder. Since it is criminals who disturb the peace and order in society, retribution is essential in ensuring that this order is restored in the society. With the death penalty, the criminal pays for the wrong they have committed with a punishment that matches their actions. Based on this belief, proponents argue that the things that criminals have are earned through unjust means and they ought to be taken away through murder of the criminals (Lerne and Wilmoth 235). People in support of death penalty also argue that is an affordable and cheap method of avoiding crime compared to other strategies such as life sentences. This is because, when criminals are given life sentences, they are likely to stay in prison for a long time, which is costly to the government that provides services and necessities to the criminals. There are also legal costs that are likely to be incurred in the course of court proceedings since some cases take a long time before they are over. With such huge expenditure that the government is likely to incur, it is preferable to execute the criminal through the death penalty and get rid of them since they are believed not to add any value to the society (Stearman 4). Those who support death penalty also argue that it serves to warn criminals who might be contemplating to commit murder. When a criminal comes to the realization that he will be convicted for murder through death penalty, they are less likely to engage in crime. Death penalty is also a means of closure to the victims of crime. With the execution of a criminal found guilty of murder, the family of the victim gets relief and they may not be haunted by the killer of their loved one as they would be if the murder remains alive. By putting the murderer to death, the victim’s family and friends are satisfied that justice has been served. Some people also believe that death penalty is better than going to prison for the murders. This is because murderers may face a lot of hardships while serving a prison sentence and it would do them good if they are killed. For example, they are likely to be tortured by prison officials and be bullied by their fellow prisoners. As a result, they may end committing suicide while in prison (Merriman and Winter 785). Despite the numerous arguments in support of death penalty, there are some counterarguments raised by people who are against death penalty. The opponents of death penalty argue that it is very cruel and the methods used to execute the criminals is contrary to human rights. For instance, the use of methods such as gassing and hanging violates the rights of the criminals since it causes them a lot of pain. Opponents also argue that, as a form of punishment, death penalty does not give offenders an opportunity to learn a lesson. The purpose of a punishment is to deter offenders and prevent them from committing a similar crime in the future. When they are executed, they will learn nothing from their death. Death penalty is also opposed because, in some instances, it does not serve the role of dissuading criminals from committing an offence in the future. There are some people who will still commit crimes despite the fact that they saw others being convicted for the same crime (Guernsey 8). The death penalty can also be objected on the basis that it affects the court system in the United States and other parts of the world. There are many procedures involved before convicting a criminal who has been involved in a murder, or any other crime that warrants a death penalty. There has to be motions, appeals, briefs, and hearings that have to be listed to by attorneys, as well as judges and other employees within the court system. The time wasted could have been used to solve other matters that require the attention of the court. In conclusion, there are varying views and attitudes about death penalty in the United States. Majority of the American public supported the death penalty during the 1950s, but this support declined significantly in the 1960s and 1970s. Proponents of death penalty argue that it serves as a form of justice to the family of the victim. In addition, there are arguments that death penalty is less costly and more affordable than a life sentence. It is also widely believed that criminals will get warned when they learn of the execution of others. There are, however, some arguments against the issue of death penalty, which oppose execution of criminals since it is a violation of human rights. From the arguments raised about death penalty, it is clear that most people support it while only a few people oppose death penalty. Works Cited Guernsey, JoAnn B. Death Penalty: Fair Solution or Moral Failure? Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books, 2010. Print. Lerner, Lee and Wilmoth, Brenda. "Attitudes Toward the Death Penalty for Persons Convicted of Murder." Crime and Punishment: Essential Primary Sources. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 232-235. Print. Merriman, John and Winter, Jay. Death Penalty." Europe Since 1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of War and Reconstruction, Vol. 2. Detroit: Charles Scribners Sons, 2006. 784-789. Print. Stearman, Kaye. The Death Penalty. New York: Rosen Pub. Groups Rosen Central, 2007. Print. Read More