Capital punishment: The Death Penalty

A handful of nations around the world currently enforce the death penalty. Britain can learn from the status quo is some states of the US, China and several Islamic nations, to conclude whether the death penalty serves as an effective deterrent. Intrinsically, this debate addresses the question “what is the purpose of punishment for murder?” Should it be to simply segregate them from society or perhaps rehabilitation is an area worth considering?

The state has a duty to protect its citizens. The proposition may feel that in the event of serial murders or terrorists, they should be punished with death. The death penalty will be subject to people who have infringed other’s basic human right of life. On the other hand, isn’t it immoral to kill in the eyes of society and thus, the state killing another person is equally barbaric. In our society we follow the principle of “two wrongs don’t make a right” – then surely we have moved on from the principle of eye for eye, tooth for tooth and life for life.

To rebut the issue of whether this motion is moral or not, the proposition may claim that the death penalty deters criminals from murdering. Looking at the states of the USA that have the death penalty, the crime rates have been on free-fall since this legislation has been passed. However, saying that, some may also argue the case that there is no direct relation between the death penalty and murder rates. Even if it did act as a deterrent, would it merely be a short term deterrent (immediately following the aftermath of an execution) or as a long term one?

The cost of life imprisonment is extremely expensive. This will put more of a financial burden on the state. In addition, prison cell spaces are rapidly decreasing and it is not practical due to the fact that it is putting more of a load on the taxpayer’s purse. Contrastingly, we cannot kill prisoners on the grounds of cost. If one were to follow that principle then we would start executing all criminals on the basis of relieving the taxpayer’s purse! Besides, one does not pay taxes for nothing but to provide themselves with more services and to allow the state to invest in their safety.

In conclusion, although the death penalty would only be in effect on those murderers we have conclusive evidence of, I hold the opinion that capital punishment is morally flawed as we have passed the age of our ancestor’s barbaric principles. Furthermore, it is totally unjustifiable to kill one innocent person no matter how many criminals are executed. Additionally, I feel that execution takes away the possibility of rehabilitation and a person being reformed back into society.