The Death Penalty: Unfair Or Inhumane?

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The death penalty, often known as capital punishment, is the punishment of execution given to a person who has been legally convicted of a crime. It has been a highly controversial issue, and there are many American citizens who support this system, and many who do not. Some argue that the criminals who have been sentenced to death deserve to die, to pay for the harm that they have done to others. They also view execution as a deterrent for crime. However, the system has not been successful in reducing crime in our society, and I do not see how it will do so in the future. It is an unfair, and unethical system that does not fully punish the criminal. Therefore, the death penalty is a system that has proved useless and inhumane. Many American citizens support the death penalty system, nearly two thirds (Source F), but how many of those people are affected by it personally? Those in favor of execution as a punishment for criminals see the death penalty as a deterrent. They believe it is the ultimate punishment, or that it will help to deter future crime. They believe that no criminal should be let off “easy”. They should not receive a chance at parole, be allowed to bond with other prisoners, watch television, and participate in other activities in a prison. By believing that the death penalty is a deterrent, one is hoping for a drop in crime rates in America. However, the death penalty has not prevented any crime, and in a society like America, it may never. In a country like America, crime is inevitable. America is an immigrant nation, which is prone to more violence (Source B). Language barriers and cultural/religious differences, may cause people to resort to violence when they feel threatened or isolated. America is also a highly mobile society (Source B), which is also known for higher rates of crime. The death penalty may never affect a society that is so prone to violence. In America crime is unavoidable. We live in a nation full of unique and diverse people and full of strangers, the death penalty system will not deter something so inevitable in America such as crime. Many crimes are committed on impulse, and the consequences are typically not considered. Chances are, a person who killed someone impulsively did not stop to think about how he/she may receive the death penalty. So if major crimes are typically impulsive, than the death penalty still may not affect the decision to commit a crime. The death penalty is unsure, and we aren’t always 100% certain that the criminal was guilty. There is always room for error and room for mistakes. If there is always room for error, why would we risk the life of a human on this chance? Also, something may go wrong during the execution. Convicted murderer Romell Broom was tortured for two terrifying hours as prison technicians tried to find a usable vein for lethal injection (Source G). This example, if any, should show why we should not punish one horrific crime with another. Where is the line drawn between death and imprisonment? Other than the belief that it will deter crime, there is no logical reason why someone’s life should be taken rather that giving them jail time or a life sentence. I understand that the family of the victim may want the killer to die, and that they may fear for their lives knowing that a killer may be eligible to be released from prison. However, I …show more content…
Overall, it is inhumane, it is classist and racist, and it doesn’t fully punish the criminal. It is also extremely expensive, and has not proven to avert crime in a society like America. The system is also hypocritical. It is ironic that in order to punish killers and prove that killing is wrong, we kill them. I think that if we are going to have a punishment that is so serious and permanent such as death, then the system should be completely fair. I believe that every story, every piece of evidence, every lead, and every possible error or mistake should be studied thoroughly. The death penalty will always be an issue no one completely agrees on, and many people share my position. I feel that the death penalty does more harm than good, and should be abolished in our

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