debated issues in the criminal Justice System and is a very controversial issue among society.
The dispute about the death penalty for murder is dominated by two views that are either for or
against.
Reasons for the death penalty begin with the family and friends of the victim, they believe they
have a right to retribution and it is in this way that justice is seen to be “done”. These people
also believe that the murderers must be given a punishment of which they deserve, which is most
often death. They think that the people who commit the crime know exactly what they are
doing and deserve to forfeit their own lives; as it says in the Bible “An eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth”. However in their eyes it not just religiously correct or a way of showing
society's moral values, but is an ultimate deterrent because it makes sure that the murderer will
never attack again and will put off people that are contemplating murder. Others also think that
toomany “life” prisoners are released after a much shorter sentence and are regarded as a great
risk to the community so capital punishment protects the society from cold-blooded killers.
Surprisingly once they are committed some prisoners are also for capital punishment. This is
because the death penalty is sometimes thought of as a way out, and a chance to escape a life of
imprisonment. Some criminals would much prefer to be executed than to spend the rest of their
lives in prison.
However although there seems to be such a strong view for Capital Punishment there is also a
strong argument against, which doesn't just come from the committed prisoners. Many people
across the world believe that all life is sacred and if it is wrong to take life, it is also wrong to
execute and kill another life. As the saying goes “two wrongs do not make a right”. There is
also little evidence that it is a deterrent as numbers in the prisons seem to be rising rather then
decreasing. So perhaps it isn't at effective as originally perceived. Some also believe the
execution may lead to revenge attacks by his/her supporters and that the prisoner instead should
be allowed the right to reform and perhaps become a better person. Also many people believe
that Capital punishment is as a whole very risky as mistakes can be made and innocent people
executed, when this does happen it is called a “miscarriage of justice”. It is also thought that
some countries use the death penalty indiscriminately, to rid a government of its opponents.
Another reason against capital punishment is that the trials and numerous appeals can be very
costly and lengthy, many prisoners on death row have waited more than 15 years whilst pending
their execution.
Unless I have experienced either or both sides of the capital punishment debate in a country
where capital punishment is a part of society I do not believe that I can give a just opinion on the
matter, but just explore what others have to say.
