Death Penalty

Today, one of the most debated issues in the criminal justice system is the death penalty. When people discuss capital punishment they usually have strong views one way or the other, which makes this topic controversial. The research on this topic shows that the death penalty is a form of cruel and unusual punishment that should be banned in the United States.

The death penalty is used today as it was in ancient times to punish a variety of offenses. Prior to 1964 crimes that people could be executed for include witchcraft, piracy, slave revolt, kidnapping, and burglary. Since 1964 no one has been executed for any crime other than murder or conspiracy to murder.

In the past, burning, pressing, gibbeting, or hanging were used as forms of capital punishment. Today, the only forms used are hanging, gas chambers, electrocution, lethal injection, and firing squad. "The use of lethal injection has become standard. From 2001, only 3 out of 273 executions have been by a different method" (Dow 161).

Most people believe lethal injection is a pain-free way to die. They believe that the accused peacefully goes to sleep. This, however, is not the case. Many times the accused have violent physical reactions to the drugs used to induce death during lethal injection. They gasp, choke, vomit, and finally suffocate. "Lethal injections typically consist of three drugs: a short-acting barbiturate sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride to stop the heart. Sodium thiopental can wear off in minutes, The Times reports, while the pancuronium bromide paralyzes the victim and potassium chloride causes extreme pain" (Execution Drug May Cause Suffering).

Another reason for the abolishment of capital punishment is that innocent people have been wrongfully executed. No compensation will bring back someone who has been put to death. "Strapped to a gurney in Texas' death chamber earlier this year, just moments from his execution for setting a fire that killed his three daughters, Cameron Todd Willingham declared his innocence one last time" (Mills, Possley). Mr. Willingham was prosecuted and convicted on arson theories that are not used any more because science has proven them wrong. "According to four fire experts consulted by the Tribune, the original investigation was flawed and it is even possible the fire was accidental" (Mills, Possley). Willingham died by lethal injection on Feb 17, 2004 despite a report that was given to Governor Rick Perry and Texas Judges written by a prominent fire scientist stating Willingham's probable innocence.

Another reason the death penalty should be abolished is the cost. It costs more to execute an offender than keeping them in prison for life. This is due to the endless appeals process and then keeping offenders on death row for years. "In Texas, a death penalty case costs an average of $2.3 million, about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security level for 40 years" (Drehle). Even knowing this information, the number of death sentences has not went down. "In 2005, 60 inmates were executed, one more than in 2004" (U.S. Department of Justice).

Capital punishment is seen as a form of collective punishment. It not only affects the offenders but their family and friends as well. When you think of all the cases where parents are put to death you must realize what this does to the children. They did not commit the crime but are punished dearly for it with the loss of a parent. Also, those on Death Row more than likely have mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, other relatives and friends who will also be effected by their death. The U.S. needs to come up with an alternative punishment that does not effect so many other lives other than the offenders. "The United States is one of the few developed societies in the world that retains the death penalty" (Baumer, Messner, Rosenfield).

Those who are in favor of the death penalty usually see it as a deterrent. They believe it stops repeat offenders. It is true that if an offender receives the sentence of death, and it is carried out, they cannot again commit a crime. Others may not commit a certain crime if they know the death penalty could possibly be the sentence. Criminologist Thorstin Sellin compared capital Crime rates in states having the death penalty with the rate in neighboring states having the death penalty with the rate in neighboring, similar states that did not. In, general, they found no significant difference