The economic crisis in the United States has led some citizens to take a closer look at the country’s endorsement of the death penalty. How can the country justify the expense of death sentences when state governments are failing to keep up with the budgetary demands of vital areas such as education and infrastructure? In America, the death penalty has been repealed in nineteen states ("States"). The last of the states to repeal the death penalty, Nebraska, is still locked in a battle to formalize the abolition. The Nebraska State Senate approved the end of the death sentence in a legislative measure that was quickly vetoed by Governor Pete Ricketts. After several floor debates, the conservative-leaning legislative body voted to override the
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Supporters of the death penalty argue that its practice prevents the defendant from harming anyone else. While a death sentence ensures that the defendant will never harm another citizen, a sentence of life without parole will also guards the public’s safety. Convicted murderer William Blake has spent over twenty five years in solitary confinement during his “77 years to life” sentence for killing a sheriff’s deputy. In an essay discussing his sentencing, Blake wrote, “What nobody knew or suspected back then, not even I, on that very day I would begin suffering a punishment that I am convinced beyond all doubt is far worse than any death sentence could possibly have been” (”Voices from Solitary"). Furthermore, the proponents of the death penalty often argue for its continuation based on the closure provided to the victim’s family. The death penalty can provide closure for family members; however, the opinions of family members who oppose the death penalty should not be discounted. Aba Gayle’s daughter, Catherine Blount, was murdered in 1980 and her daughter’s killer was subsequently given the death penalty. After years driven by revenge, Aba Gayle chose to forgive her daughter’s killer and began ministering to death row inmates. Believing Catherine would be happy with the work she has done, Ms. Gayle wrote, “She would not want me to go through life full of hate and rage. Love and forgiveness is the way to make our world a kind and safe place” (Gayle). Lastly, the death penalty argument emphasizes its deterrence effect. If the death penalty were truly a deterrent, then the homicide rates in the United States would be sitting near zero. A team of researchers analyzing panel studies concluded that “recent panel literature on whether there is a deterrent effect of the death penalty to be inconclusive as a whole and in many cases uninformative” (Chalfin, Haviland and Raphael). The
Supporters of the death penalty argue that its practice prevents the defendant from harming anyone else. While a death sentence ensures that the defendant will never harm another citizen, a sentence of life without parole will also guards the public’s safety. Convicted murderer William Blake has spent over twenty five years in solitary confinement during his “77 years to life” sentence for killing a sheriff’s deputy. In an essay discussing his sentencing, Blake wrote, “What nobody knew or suspected back then, not even I, on that very day I would begin suffering a punishment that I am convinced beyond all doubt is far worse than any death sentence could possibly have been” (”Voices from Solitary"). Furthermore, the proponents of the death penalty often argue for its continuation based on the closure provided to the victim’s family. The death penalty can provide closure for family members; however, the opinions of family members who oppose the death penalty should not be discounted. Aba Gayle’s daughter, Catherine Blount, was murdered in 1980 and her daughter’s killer was subsequently given the death penalty. After years driven by revenge, Aba Gayle chose to forgive her daughter’s killer and began ministering to death row inmates. Believing Catherine would be happy with the work she has done, Ms. Gayle wrote, “She would not want me to go through life full of hate and rage. Love and forgiveness is the way to make our world a kind and safe place” (Gayle). Lastly, the death penalty argument emphasizes its deterrence effect. If the death penalty were truly a deterrent, then the homicide rates in the United States would be sitting near zero. A team of researchers analyzing panel studies concluded that “recent panel literature on whether there is a deterrent effect of the death penalty to be inconclusive as a whole and in many cases uninformative” (Chalfin, Haviland and Raphael). The