By: Rose Varner

 An Eye for an Eye

Have you ever imagined the indescribable pain of losing a close friend or family member? What if your love one fell victim to a crime which left them scarred, disfigured for life, or even dead? Enforcing the death penalty not only protects our citizens but brings justice to societies across the globe. For many counties including the U.S the death penalty is the prescribed punishment for perpetrators of violent crimes.  In the U.S, there are currently 33 states which have instituted the death penalty. The execution options for states in the U.S are lethal injection (which is the most common), firing squad, electrocution, gas chamber, and hanging (Methods of Execution). The death penalty is not only applied to those found guilty to homicide or rape, but any crime which is a capital offense. All forms of execution are generally considered humane and justified, though some still question the morality and effectiveness.

About 33% of violent offenders released from 30 states were arrested within 5 years of release for another violent offense. 33% is about of third chance of repeating a violent offense. The main argument against the death penalty is that it is inhumane and people deserve second chances. Not only is this idea disregarding the compromise of innocent citizen’s lives, but it is unrealistic. According to a 2010 synopsis of other studies relating to the genetic factor of criminals by Laura Baker, whom has a PH.D in Behavioral Genetics; criminal behavior is severely difficult to reverse after it has been manifested because of the genetic predisposition of violence (Human aggression across the Lifespan). In 2000, the Southern Baptist church, along with the Roman Catholic Church adopted the death penalty as “a legitimate form of punishment” (Christian Bible Reference Site).

Not only is the death penalty a justified form of punishment, but the acknowledgement in society is enough to decrease the amount of criminal activity. Another argument by those not supporting the death penalty is based on the idea that execution is an unreasonable punishment. The simple fact is that “morally speaking” there is no justification for premeditated murder…rape…etc. Without the death penalty there would be too many crimes going unpunished and too many criminals who had committed unspeakable crimes serving an insufficient sentence. (Deterrent Effect) Based on statistics in states with the death penalty versus without the death penalty several studies support the idea that instituting the death penalty has a strong deterrent effect of potential criminals. This evidence implies that having the death penalty would help keep our citizens safe now and protects them from criminals in the future. In the constitution, it says that the understanding of what is to be considered “unusual or unnecessary punishment” must change with is maturing society.

            The idea of making a mistake in forensic investigation is based on the fact that we occasionally find a case where some innocent men and women who were convicted are now being found innocent; these people were convicted before we had the incredible forensic technology which we have today. Those opposing the death penalty tend to raise the question of “what if we make a forensic mistake and kill an innocent person?” Today, our advanced technology can trace microscopic evidence to identify a perpetrator. The reason our government implemented “death row” was so we can be 100% sure we are bringing justice to the right person through thorough investigations and constant questioning.

           

A common problem which could be solved by the increase in the death penalty is the prison overcrowding situation. Several will argue that we should just build more prisons and jails. Although that seems like a good solution, ultimately why waste taxpayers money on housing murderers and rapists who may never see the light of day again when we can enforce a permanent solution? Criminals living in jails receive three full meals a day and a place to sleep, all being funded by taxpayer’s money. Every day, there are prisoners being released early, or even receiving lighter sentencing due to lack of space in jails and prisons because of the significant amount of criminals serving life without parole or several life sentences. On average, executions save our government (taxpayers) 1.2-3.6 million dollars a year per case.

            Overall, the goal of a maturing society is general betterment; to develop a more efficient, justified system. In today’s society the punishment should fit the crime. No more of this “life without parole” or “serving nine life sentences”. Not only are those options a waste of money and time, but we are offering an easy way of life for those who have infected lives of the innocent. The world is a scary place and we should better protect ourselves from those who are beyond help.


http://rosemarievarner.edu.glogster.com/mrs-longs-glogster-or-whatever/