The death penalty is one of the most compelling and vexing issues of our time[1] and has been subject to controversy in regards to implementation, costs, miscarriage of justice and its abolishment.

The first 200 words of this essay...

The death penalty "is one of the most compelling and vexing issues of our time"1 and has been subject to controversy in regards to implementation, costs, miscarriage of justice and its abolishment. Death as a punishment has been an inherent part of British history from almost the beginning of time. However, the evolving standards of decency in this modern age means the death penalty is becoming increasingly incompatible with society's morals. Executions by governmental bodies should have no place in a civilised society. L.J Blackburn commented: -"Nothing could be more contrary to contemporary standards of decency or more shocking to the conscience than to execute a person who innocent."2

In the U.K the death penalty was suspended in 19653 for five years for all crimes except piracy and treason but was entirely abolished via removal from the statute book in 1998, when a 158 majority4 of MP's voted to adopt the ECHR provisions, 5 meaning capital punishment was outlawed. The last death penalty carried out in the UK was the hanging of Peter Allen, on the 13th August 1964, for murder.6

Some would argue that there are social benefits of capital punishment as it prevents crimes from being