When it comes to the topic of capital punishment, most of us will readily agree that it is a controversial topic. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether it is cost effective and if it deters future murders. While some are convinced that it does deter murders and is cost effective, others disagree. My own view is that it does not deter murders and is not cost effective. In today’s society, people still tend to believe that capital punishment deters the homicide rates here in the United States. Although it may seem like it does, but it is far from deterring homicide rates here in the United States. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization which helps fight for individuals rights and freedom,
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They tend to believe that the cost of a capital punishment case is the same cost for life without the possibility of parole case. Dudley Sharp, Independent Death Penalty Activist and Former Vice President and Political Director of Justice for All writes, “Many opponents present, as fact, that the cost of the death penalty is so expensive (at least $2 million per case?), that we must choose life without parole ( 'LWOP ') at a cost of $1 million for 50 years“ (Sharp). In other words, Dudley Sharp is saying the people who believe from the beginning that a death penalty case is expensive, are completely wrong. Well, Sharps assumption on a life without parole case cost is wrong. It takes many years for an inmate to appeal the verdict on their life without parole case. According to ACLU’s website they state, “For each of the last three executions in California, more than 25 years had been spent in appeals before the executions finally occurred. The current average for appeals is 17 years—and getting longer every day” (ACLU). In California, the average appeal is 17 or more years. So, in reality the cost will not go up at high rate, it will slowly go up but not to millions of dollars. A life without the possibility of parole case is a couple of thousands of dollars, while a capital punishment case will cost millions of dollars. Capital punishment cases have been known to reach over 2 million dollars,
They tend to believe that the cost of a capital punishment case is the same cost for life without the possibility of parole case. Dudley Sharp, Independent Death Penalty Activist and Former Vice President and Political Director of Justice for All writes, “Many opponents present, as fact, that the cost of the death penalty is so expensive (at least $2 million per case?), that we must choose life without parole ( 'LWOP ') at a cost of $1 million for 50 years“ (Sharp). In other words, Dudley Sharp is saying the people who believe from the beginning that a death penalty case is expensive, are completely wrong. Well, Sharps assumption on a life without parole case cost is wrong. It takes many years for an inmate to appeal the verdict on their life without parole case. According to ACLU’s website they state, “For each of the last three executions in California, more than 25 years had been spent in appeals before the executions finally occurred. The current average for appeals is 17 years—and getting longer every day” (ACLU). In California, the average appeal is 17 or more years. So, in reality the cost will not go up at high rate, it will slowly go up but not to millions of dollars. A life without the possibility of parole case is a couple of thousands of dollars, while a capital punishment case will cost millions of dollars. Capital punishment cases have been known to reach over 2 million dollars,