Is Death Penalty Effective?

Is Death Penalty Effective?

The death penalty is a centuries-old punishment used to eliminate extreme criminals in the society. Hanging or electrocuting offenders such as armed robbers, rapists, and murderers send a clear message to other criminals. Prosperity in any given civilization is unattainable unless people are assured of peace and security. However, this cannot be attained unless staunch criminals are put to justice. In fact, critics argue that the imprisonment of extreme wrongdoers is a non-permanent solution as many of them can easily break out of the prison. Criminals are masterminds and they can devise ingenious plans to get out of the system and to resume their criminal acts. Prison breaks are common in the United States and Mexico, where offenders roam free in the society, thus heightening the level of insecurity (Van den Haag & Conard, 2013). In light of this, the death penalty is an effective means to minimize cases of jailbreaks. Despite activists’ calls for a ban on death penalty, there are strong evidence that suggest the opposite.

Dangerous criminals are yet to prove that they deserve a second chance in life to reform and mend their ways. In most cases, first degree murderers and rapists are more likely to commit heinous crimes after years of imprisonment. Recently, scientists discovered that crime is genetic and hereditary in the case if hardcore criminals. This implies that their subjection to the regular justice system not only endangers the prison staff, but also other convicts serving sentences for low-profile crimes. In most countries, the death penalty is activated only when there is a clear proof that the offender has indeed committed the crime. Legal battles can take years, implying that the jurists take the time to deliberate before passing the judgment (Hood & Hoyle, 2014). Besides, the modern executions are painless and the criminal has a chance to make a choice from a list of options such as gun execution, lethal injection, and death by gas chamber.

Executing criminals provide closure to the victim’s family. Child defilers, armed robbers, and first-degree murderers deprive families and friends to spend times with their loved ones, thus igniting grief that lasts for as long as the criminal is alive. Therefore, restoring sanity and peace to such families implies that the offender has to be executed. High-profile criminals are not fearful of lengthy sentences or life imprisonment. Unless capital punishment is activated, mass murderers can continue their killing spree, thus rendering the society vulnerable. In the Middle East, crime rates are lower because the justice system. Executions are common and effective forms of punishment in these countries, thus encouraging morality.

Countries that have banned capital punishment have replaced it with life imprisonment, resulting in a sharp rise in the number of inmates. In turn, the cost of running prisons has skyrocketed, adding strain on the government. In addition, citizens have to pay higher taxes to cover such incurrence (Nagin & Pepper, 2012). The burden can be eliminated by restoration of the death penalty to minimize the number of prisoners and the state expenditures.

In summary, it is clear that hardcore criminals do not deserve a chance at life. They still pose a danger to inmates and prison warden when locked up. Besides, they can break out of jail to continue their crimes in the society. Furthermore, the families and friends of victims of crime deserve permanent justice and peace, which can only be attained when high profile criminals are executed.

References

Hood, R., & Hoyle, C. (2014). The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective. London: OUP Oxford.

Nagin, D. S., & Pepper, J. V. (Eds.). (2012). Deterrence and the Death Penalty. New York: National Academies Press.

Van den Haag, E., & Conrad, J. P. (2013). The Death Penalty: A Debate. New York: Springer Science & Business Media.