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Introduction
One of the most controversial issues that exist in the world today is the death penalty. While it is already one of the known sentences to serious crimes, you will hear a range of opinions on whether or not it serves its purpose.
Should the death penalty be abolished? The author of this sample essay takes a look at the current state of capital punishment in the world and reflects on whether or not implementing it actually has a deterrent effect on crime rates.
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A Closer Look at Capital Punishment: Is It Really Effective?
To this day, there are still countless death penalty cases worldwide. To date, there are about 55 countries around the world that include the death sentence in their criminal justice system for convicted murderers. Amnesty International counts over 400 people being sentenced to death row for their crimes in 2020, already a relatively low figure compared to previous years.
It must be noted that the majority of these cases are located in four countries, namely Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. These are the nations that are the strictest in implementing this cruel punishment, whether by lethal injection, beheading, shooting, or hanging.
Is capital punishment a justifiable consequence of crime, or does it violate human rights? Are we advocating inhumane punishment by allowing this method to continue to exist?
Does the Death Sentence Serve Its Truest Purpose?
I am firmly for the abolishment of the death penalty. I believe that despite the clarity of its intention to reduce the crime rate, history shows that it doesn’t really achieve this goal.
First of all, I understand how powerful this method is as a visual symbol. It tells the families and loved ones of the victim that justice has been served and the judicial process has done its job to make sure of it. Even though it will not bring the victim back, there is some comfort in knowing that the life-for-a-life concept has been applied and that the murderer will no longer roam freely or prey on other unsuspecting victims.
The only flaw I find in this argument is while it does prevent that one criminal from committing similar crimes in the future, it doesn’t necessarily discourage other individuals from breaking the law. I don’t think that authentic criminals are swayed by the threat of death. If it is easy for them to take a life, they will not really be as affected when they themselves face death. Sociopaths and serial killers do not have the same set of fears as a typical person.
Yes, their life may end by firing squad or lethal injection, but they will still stand by their crimes. It will not necessarily lead them to feel remorse. Other criminals who witness their death will only be even more determined to be all the more strategic and careful so that they are never caught.
At the same time, I believe that life imprisonment is a much more suitable alternative as a punishment for violent crime. Yes, their life may be preserved, but what does that life look like inside an isolation ward? They will be deprived of the basic comforts of society and the lifestyle they used to enjoy. They will be cut off from their pleasures and made to confront their sins by themselves. In my opinion, that is a destiny worse than death. At least in death, your suffering will end. But life imprisonment forces you to confront your own mind for the rest of your days, which can be actually a form of torture.
Finally, I think that there is always the possibility of convicting the wrong person. A faulty justice system can easily have a record of executing innocent people, despite undergoing what seems to be a fair trial. This may be a needle in a haystack of cases, but I think that this is a risk I would not want to take. In the issue of imprisonment, at least there may be a small chance for someone to be proven innocent even after being sentenced. The chance to be acquitted as an innocent man is a huge factor in why I believe in life imprisonment.
At the same time, for a truly guilty murderer, there is a chance to rehabilitate. Reparations may no longer be made, but change is always possible within. Given the opportunity to reflect in isolation may prove effective for some criminals to change their ways. Even if they have to spend the rest of their life in prison, they may be able to find a way to contribute positively to prison life.
Conclusion
I believe that it is morally wrong to take a life, even if it’s of a convicted criminal. I understand the plight of the families of murder victims, but I think that despite what they initially would think, imprisoning the perpetrator for life will actually be more effective than the death penalty.
Short Essay Against Capital Punishment (Short Essay Sample)
There are many different opinions on the death penalty. The main argument on this issue is whether or not it is actually effective in deterring crime. I believe that it is not and that life imprisonment may actually be a more powerful punishment.
First of all, when you apply common sense, it makes sense to think that a true murderer will not be affected by the threat of their own death. Having ruthlessly committed a violent crime, they will not really think dying is a big deal. Since they have already accomplished what they wanted in a well-planned murder, they will not feel like they have more to live for, and not in a despairing way.
Second, there is really more suffering to be had when imprisoned for life. There is some form of mental torture when you face your demons alone in an isolation cell. It makes even the most murderous person desire death as an escape.
I encourage all countries that still mandate capital punishment to rethink their methods and see if there is a difference in the crime rate if they remove death row from their criminal justice system.
FAQs
Is The Death Penalty Effective?
Studies and statistics have shown that there is very little difference in crime rate whether the death penalty or life imprisonment is applied. Therefore, it seems to make more sense to opt for the latter, as there are more opportunities to exact consequences on a convicted criminal. At the same time, there is also the opportunity to rehabilitate if you are truly guilty, and a chance to appeal your case if you are an innocent person.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of the Death Penalty?
The main benefit of capital punishment is actually oriented towards the families and loved ones of the victim. To them, the death of the perpetrator is a symbolic act of making sure justice is served and that the murder of their loved ones has been avenged. On the downside, there is always a chance of sentencing an innocent man. There have been countless cases in history that reflect this error on the part of the justice system. Despite being promised a fair trial, these people ended up being wrongly executed.
At the same time, ending the life of a specific perpetrator doesn’t really prevent future crimes from other people. It will only end the actions of one person. We cannot control the decisions of others. Very few authentic murderers will be swayed by capital punishment being enacted. They will only be prompted to be smarter about how they operate. In this way, this method of punishment is essentially ineffective.