The death penalty has been debated as whether or not it should be used as punishment for murders, rapists, and terrorists. Some people argue it violates citizens eighth amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. Some people say it goes against their morals, calling the death penalty murder. However, many support the death penalty, making it currently legal in the United States. The death penalty is a current form of punishment in the United States that is expensive, does not deter crime, lowers America’s morals, and encourages retribution rather than rehabilitation. Many people try to justify the death penalty by saying it's cheaper to execute someone rather than keeping them in prison for life. Although that may have been
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However, we should not use it as a reason to discipline someone with death. Desmond Tutu once said, “To take a life when life has been lost is revenge, not justice.” Raymond Schrith also once quoted, “To kill the person who has killed someone is continuing the cycle of violence which ultimately destroys the avenger as well as the offender.” Basically, killing the person who has killed someone else, only creates a destructive cycle that creates a feeling that murder is acceptable as long as you have a reason. Evan Helm’s quote, “Kill em all!” is a great example of the antimosity that Americans have that cause them to have views of ignorance about capital punishment. There should never be a reason for bloodshed (Schrith). Furthermore, everyday new evidence and science is found, proving someone’s innocence or culpable. Since 1973, 144 people on death row have been exonerated. Although that is just a low one point six percent, recent studies have shown that the innocent rate is actually four point one percent, more than twice the exoneration rate. This means that the United States’ criminal system’s biggest fear is most likely true: America has executed a significant number of innocent people. Every one in twenty-five people executed are …show more content…
They also aren’t completely isolated and shut out from the real world, like prisons in the United States.”
However, if the system does not think someone is rehabilitated, that person will not be released. We should use these same methods of rehabilitation, rather than severe punishment, such as the death penalty (Sterbenz). In Norway, the biggest goal is to reform. They know that killing off the criminals will not better society in the long run. Norway’s prison system would be a great example for America to follow. The final reason for not using the death penalty is morals and/or religion. Sixty-four percent of the senior class voted that they thought the death penalty was necessary. However, about ninety-five percent of the senior class would consider themselves religious. This is contradictory. In almost every religion, it is taught that murder is wrong. In the Bible it is said that in God’s eyes all sins are equal and all sins can be forgiven. Therefore, someone who has murdered ten people is equal to someone who has told ten lies. To God, it does not matter who someone is or what they’ve done, that person does not deserve death. Murder is murder, no matter who someone is or what someone has
However, we should not use it as a reason to discipline someone with death. Desmond Tutu once said, “To take a life when life has been lost is revenge, not justice.” Raymond Schrith also once quoted, “To kill the person who has killed someone is continuing the cycle of violence which ultimately destroys the avenger as well as the offender.” Basically, killing the person who has killed someone else, only creates a destructive cycle that creates a feeling that murder is acceptable as long as you have a reason. Evan Helm’s quote, “Kill em all!” is a great example of the antimosity that Americans have that cause them to have views of ignorance about capital punishment. There should never be a reason for bloodshed (Schrith). Furthermore, everyday new evidence and science is found, proving someone’s innocence or culpable. Since 1973, 144 people on death row have been exonerated. Although that is just a low one point six percent, recent studies have shown that the innocent rate is actually four point one percent, more than twice the exoneration rate. This means that the United States’ criminal system’s biggest fear is most likely true: America has executed a significant number of innocent people. Every one in twenty-five people executed are …show more content…
They also aren’t completely isolated and shut out from the real world, like prisons in the United States.”
However, if the system does not think someone is rehabilitated, that person will not be released. We should use these same methods of rehabilitation, rather than severe punishment, such as the death penalty (Sterbenz). In Norway, the biggest goal is to reform. They know that killing off the criminals will not better society in the long run. Norway’s prison system would be a great example for America to follow. The final reason for not using the death penalty is morals and/or religion. Sixty-four percent of the senior class voted that they thought the death penalty was necessary. However, about ninety-five percent of the senior class would consider themselves religious. This is contradictory. In almost every religion, it is taught that murder is wrong. In the Bible it is said that in God’s eyes all sins are equal and all sins can be forgiven. Therefore, someone who has murdered ten people is equal to someone who has told ten lies. To God, it does not matter who someone is or what they’ve done, that person does not deserve death. Murder is murder, no matter who someone is or what someone has