Capital punishment is a controversial debate in the United States that has the nation polarized into two distinct and uncompromising standpoints. Opponents base their argument on moral or religious beliefs and also point out the possibility of executing innocent people(Van den Haag & Conrad, 2013). On the other side of the spectrum, supporters of the penalty argue it be a deterrent to potential criminals, and it provides the victims’ families with some justice((Van den Haag & Conrad, 2013).Even though people stand for or against the punishment regarding concrete and rational arguments, symbolic reasons seem to be more influential. The following are 3 supporting arguments that provide evidence for the use of Capital Punishment.
1. Human beings make mistakes, and innocent people should not be at the risk of execution due to human error. Those who work in the justice system are individuals and, therefore, there is room for human error. The risk of executing innocent people exists in any judicial system There have been and always will be cases of executions of innocents. No matter how advanced any justice system there will always be a chance of error. Death is not reversible, and new information about a case can happen at any time(Van den Haag & Conrad, 2013). Since the is an always a chance of new evidence support that the individuals are in fact innocent, this sentencing should be banned because punishing innocent people goes against American values and human rights.
2. Capital punishment is not an effective policy and thus, should be eliminated. The death penalty does lead to less crime and, therefore, poses more harm than the risk to the American people. In 2012 US homicide rate was 4.8 victims/ 100,000, (Siegel, Ross, & King III, 2013)given the duration of capital punishment as a policy, it is clear that this not effective. If crime is not reduced as a result of this policy and there is a chance the person is innocent the benefits do not weigh out the negative outcomes of the policy. There are alternatives to the death penalty that do not pose so much risk of harm, giving prisoners life without parole is just of strong as punishment and gives the prisoner fundamental rights and chance to be proven innocent in case there was an unfair trial.
3. Capital punishment is putting an economic strong on the US government. A study found that costs were almost three times higher in death penalty cases, compared to non-death penalty prosecutions(Dirks, 2011). A study in Florida found that death penalty costs 51 million dollars more annually that it would to sentence life in prison(Dirks, 2011).. Since the expense of the death penalty is so high both economically and morally, it is the most logical decision to be against the death penalty.
References
Dirks, D. (2011). American capital punishment and the promise of" closure".
Siegel, M., Ross, C. S., & King III, C. (2013). The relationship between gun ownership and firearm homicide rates in the United States, 1981–2010. American journal of public health, 103(11), 2098-2105.
Van den Haag, E., & Conrad, J. P. (2013). The death penalty: A debate: Springer Science & Business Media.
