An execution is a brutal public spectacle, which endorses killing to solve social problems. The following is a description of an execution:
“ At half-past eight, the first jolt of electricity passed through Mr Evans body. It lasted thirty seconds. Sparks and flames erupted from the electrode tied to Mr Evans left leg. His body slammed against the straps holding him in the electric chair and his fist clenched permanently. The electrode burst from the strap holding it in place. A large puff of greyish smoke and sparks poured out from under the hood that covered Mr Evans face. An overpowering stench of burnt flesh and clothing began pervading the witness room. Two doctors examined Mr Evans and declared that he was not dead. “ Could you imagine the excruciating pain that this man went through. How could any moral human being witness or justify such a horrific or repulsive sight. Regardless of this mans crime; he should have had the same rights as any other human being.
There are many problems associated with this form of punishment, for example, innocence, money and racism. This is apparent after viewing the affect that it has had on the United States for so long.
The main argument used by the death penalty’s supporters is that the death penalty deters murders. They argue that it is the government’s duty to protect its people by permanently removing murders from society. This would be a perfectly cogent argument if the death penalty actually accomplished this. After studying recent surveys carried out by The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, it becomes apparent that America, a country where the death penalty has been legalised in some states, has actually witnessed an increase in homicides. Death penalty states in America average an annual rate of 7.9 homicides per one hundred thousand people while abolitionist states average 5.1 murders for the same amount of people.
Many people argue that to accommodate prisoners is costing the government far too much, however, in the court of law time is money. A capital punishment is inevitably going to be much longer, not to mention the chance of appeal will go much higher.
It could also be argued that the threat of even the most intimidating punishment would not stop a murderer if he or she expects not to get caught. Put yourself in a murderers position, you may have committed murder in the heat of the moment, accidentally, under great emotional stress or maybe even under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dismissing rational judgement.
The United States Attorney General Janet Reno says that she has yet to find any evidence that the death penalty deters crime. She quotes, “I have inquired for most of my adult life about studies that might show that the death penalty is a deterrent. And I have not seen any research that would substantiate that point.” It is clear that the death penalty fails as a deterrence to murder. No evidence exists that contradicts this conclusion.
The one punishment that is guaranteed to work is life imprisonment. However, placing a murderer in prison until he or she dies presents a problem. The murderer then has nothing to live for. They may commit suicide or further crimes in prison as they realise that they cannot be punished any further. The solution to this is a sentence of twenty-five years. This sentence is long enough to act as a punishment and at the same time it gives the prisoner something to look forward to. The murderer then realises that in order to gain back freedom they must change their ways and behave in a respectable manner to gain back their freedom.
Opposing the death penalty does not mean sympathy with convicted murderers. On the contrary, murder and manslaughter both demonstrate a lack of respect for the gift of human life. For this very reason, the death penalty is wrong and should be abolished from the world. Criminals undoubtedly need to be punished, but severity of punishment should have its limits, beginning with the use of human dignity. A world that respects these limits does not need to use premeditated and violent homicide as an instrument of keeping the peace.
