Not a Deterrent of Crime
Another reason the death penalty should be abolished is that it is not an effective deterrent of crime. In fact, modern comparisons show that murder rates are actually higher in states that have the death penalty (Williams, 133). In a study done by the University of Florida in 1997, 90% of the nations top criminologists said killing people to deter crime is an immense waste of time and money (Schonebaum, 60). In another study from 1920-1958, there was no significant difference in homicide rates between states with or without the death penalty (Williams, 125). In a 1995 survey of United States police chiefs by Peter D. Hart, it was found that, “Police chiefs do not believe that the death penalty significantly reduces the number of homicides” (Schonebaum, 75). Clearly, this research shows that capital punishment does not effectively deter crime.
I believe that the death penalty should be abolished because it is outrageously expensive. The average cost of an execution is more than $2 million, which is $800,000 more than it would cost to imprison a person for life (NCADP). In 1991, New Jersey spent $16 million on executions. The very next year 500 New Jersey police officers were laid off because that state could not afford to pay them (NCADP). Also, counties have to pay for the prosecution of these cases, and in many cases they also have to pay for the defense of the criminal. Using the county funds can force counties to cut back on basic services, including police protection (Williams, 126). I think it is horrible that so much money is being spent on these executions. This money could go to improve our nation’s schools, health care, and public safety.
Racist
Capital punishment should no longer be used because it is blatantly racist. Facts and statistics of executions in this country prove this. 90% of the people that the United States Government prosecutors seek to execute are Black or Latino (NCADP). Nationwide, 80% of the people executed where convicted of murdering White people, but Black people make up over half of the homicide victims in the United States (NCADP). Since 1976, six white people have been executed for murdering a black person. However, 112 black people have been executed for killing a white. In addition to these disturbing statistics, as of January 1, 1997, 11 of 13 people executed in Alabama were Black (NCADP).
The discriminatory nature of the death penalty is also apparent in statistics concerning women and wealth. Since 1976, only 9 women have been executed in the United States (DPIC). Even when women are sentenced to death, their sentence is usually commuted to life imprisonment. Concerning wealth, many people on trial can’t afford to hire their own attorneys, and they are appointed one by the state. However, defendants represented by court appointed attorneys are more than twice as likely to be sentenced to death than people with private attorneys (Williams, 63). Court appointed attorneys are often inexperienced and poorly trained. I believe it is unjust that rich people have a better chance at life imprisonment than poor people.
Execution of the Mentally Challenged
One of the most atrocious and disturbing facts about capital punishment is the regular execution of retarded people. Mental retardation is defined as a person who has a below average intellect and lacks the kind of adaptive behavior that normally develops during childhood (NCADP). Since 1976, forty-four mentally retarded people have been executed in thirteen states. Fourteen of these executions have been in the past five years (NCADP). Currently, more than 300 people on death row have been diagnosed mentally retarded (NCADP). One sad example of these kinds of executions is that of Morris Odell Mason. He was executed at age 32 in Virginia in 1985. While he was walking down the hall to be executed, he told another inmate, “When I get back, I’m gonna show him how I can play basketball as good as he can” (Williams, 185). This shows that Mason did not know what was going on, or that he was about to die. He obviously could not have grasped the consequences of his actions.
Execution of Minors
An unspeakable fact of the death penalty is that since 1973, at least 160 children have been sentenced to death in the United States of America (NCADP). The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is not “cruel and unusual punishment” to execute minors as young as sixteen years of age (NCADP). It is also a known fact that since 1990 the United States has executed more minors than any other country in the world. In 1996, prosecutors in Mississippi tried to get the death penalty for minors that were only 13 years old (NCADP). The fact that United States could and has executed minors is terrifying, and should be made illegal. There is also racism in the execution of minors. Three out of four people that are executed for crimes they committed when they were children have been black (NCADP).
Execution of the Innocent
“Perhaps the bleakest fact of all is that the death penalty is imposed not only in a freakish and discriminatory manner, but also in some cases upon defendants who are actually innocent.” –Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., 1994
The strongest argument against the death penalty is the hardest to deal with. Twenty-three innocent people were executed during the 20th century in the United States (NCADP). One case of this is the execution of Robert Drew. He was denied a new hearing in Texas even after another man signed an affidavit where he confessed to the murder and exonerated Drew. Drew was executed on August 2, 1994 (NCADP). In Virginia, Joseph O’Dell was executed even though there was DNA evidence that could have proved him innocent. The court wouldn’t see his evidence because of Virginia’s 21-Day Rule. That law states that after 21 days have passed after the judge signs the judgement order, the defendant can’t introduce any new evidence in appeals court (VADP). Dell was executed on July 23, 1997 (NCADP). I think that the execution of even one innocent person is reason enough to abolish the death penalty. The United States government has murdered these innocent people.
In conclusion, the death penalty does not deter crime, is discriminatory, fallible, and cruel and unusual. The United States is the only Western democracy that uses the death penalty as a punishment (NCADP). I believe the death penalty should be abolished. It is uncivilized, cruel, and expensive. The United States Government needs to come to its senses and discontinue this barbaric practice.
Works Cited
“Facts and Stats”. National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP).
19 Sept 2002.
“Information Topics”. Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC).
19 Sept 2002.
Rein, Mei Ling. Capital Punishment: Cruel and Unusual?.
Farmington Hills, Michigan: Gale Group, 2000.
Schonebaum, Stephen E., ed. Does Capital Punishment Deter Crime?.
San Diego, CA: Greenhave Press, 1998.
Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Web Page. VADP.
19 Sept 2002.
Williams, Mary E., ed. Opposing viewpoints: The Death Penalty.
San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002.
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