In the 21st century, there is tremendous increase of criminal activities in society. In response to this change, the criminal justice system has implemented ways to punish some heinous crimes. One of the methods of punishment is the death penalty; this refers to the lawful infliction of death to a criminal as a way of punishing. These sorts of punishment have existed since ancient era, but it continues to be a controversial issue. There are various reasons why many scholars and lawmakers think it's wrong or right. The death penalty is a controversial issue among the people has evidence to support their opinions. Supporters and opponents are both right.
Certainly, those who oppose the death penalty have come with various reasons to validate their arguments. Death penalty wastes taxpayer resources, since there are many appeal that individual make even after being proven quality of the offense. It is also costly to keep people in prison for life. In the same perspective, the appeals made in the court system clog the entire activities of court systems (Vallee 2). In the 21st century, the issue of revenge should be eliminated to facilitate development. The death penalty is a way of revenging for the offense committed.
Occasionally, the court has made an unfair ruling on cases, whereby the innocent person if found guilty. In such a scenario, it will be very unfair to execute an innocent person. Research shows that the death penalty has not reduced the rate of crime in society, meaning the punishment carried out by the death penalty does not deter individuals from committing crime. In addition, the opponents of death penalty base their reasoning on religion. Religious denominations such as catholic and Protestants believe that the death penalty is forbidden (Schuleler 5). Everybody in the world has the right to life, but the death penalty violates basic international human right laws. The death penalty is unfair, cruel, barbaric, and inhuman.
On the other hand, those who support the death penalty have their reasons, which are believed to be right. The only fair way of administering justice to the victim families is through death penalty. Studies show that victims' families become relived and satisfied when the offender is being executed. In addition, those who support the death penalty claim that it creates another way of deterrent, especially those prisoners serving life sentences (Schuleler 2). In the 21st century, the issue of subjecting an innocent individual to the death penalty has been eliminated by the introduction of DNA testing. Perhaps, DNA testing and other modern techniques used in crime scenes eliminates the uncertainty of court decisions.
Prisons parole could be another way of exposing the community to security problems. In reality, the death penalty eliminates the criminal completely from the society; this implies that one criminal and his/her criminal activities will be a thing of the past. The death penalty becomes a threat to other criminals whom were planning to carry out the criminal activities (Vallee 5). The criminal justice system always focuses on administration of justice to both the offender and the victim. The death penalty according to the proponents asserts that it is a form of justice well served. Those who kill others have given up the human rights of the victims, and there is not reason protesting the rights of the offender.
In conclusion, the death penalty continues to cause a lot of debates in society. It is evident that those who are against and for the death penalty are justified according to their arguments. The reasons asserted for and against the death penalty are all right. The issue of the death penalty is controversial, but the evidence provided by opponents and proponents makes both right.
Work Cited
Schuller, Christa.The Death Penalty in the United States and its Future. Denver University Law Review, 2003
Vallee, Jason. Death Penalty a Divisive Election Issue. Myrecordjournal, July 31 2010
