On Deterrence And The Death Penalty example essay topic

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Crime is a part of our lives, it is everywhere! Controlling or eliminating crime and criminals is no easy task but it can not be ignored. Making sure those that are rightly accused to a just punishment is very important. There are many reasons why people commit crimes; some do it for the shear of enjoyment others do it to be able to survive. The death penalty should not be used for every crime, although I strongly believe it should be used for those who commit very violent crimes, such as murder. Deterrence is the means to punish those who commit crimes as an example and to create fear in others who might want to commit a crime.

The death penalty is one way we use to create fear! Most people fear death one way or another. Ernest van den Hagg, in his article "On Deterrence and the Death Penalty" mentions, "One abstains from dangerous acts because of vague, inchoate, habitual and, above all preconscious fears" (193). Without this type of deterrence what would stop criminals that already in prisons for life keep from killing another inmate or a staff that works there?

There are those that are against the death penalty called anti-death penalty advocates, they say that imprisonment by it self is enough to deter criminals, killing criminals is not needed! Hugo Be dau argues in his article, "Capital Punishment and Social defense" says, "Crimes can be deterred only by making would-be criminals frightened of being arrested, convicted, and punished for crimes" (301). According to Richard Seite r in his book "An Introduction Corrections" states that "From 1986 to 1997 the number of males that went to prison increased 70% while the number of females increased 118%" (210). It seems that just going to prison isn't enough for some people. Without the death penalty insane people would kill others thinking they could get away with it and if not what's the worst going to happened to them "Prison for life"! One could argue that the death penalty probably has saved someone's life because it deterred someone from committing that act!

Still anti-death penalty advocates believe that the death penalty is irreversible and that some people who really weren't guilty are sentenced to death. Yes the death penalty is irreversible but the chance that an innocent person gets sentenced to death is extremely low. The judicial system goes threw extreme measures to insure this doesn't happened! They do this by making sure that only when guilt is determined by clear and convincing evidenced be punished.

Even so those that receive the death penalty have the right to appeal to a court that is higher. There is far less number of death sentences then life imprisonment sentences without parole given out every year. According to Federal Justice Statistics, in 1998, there were approximately 5000 criminals sentenced to life imprisonment as opposed to 74 criminals sentenced to death (Internet). This is a good example that the judicial system is very careful with death sentences. Yes we don't live in a perfect world and mistakes do happened and when you are dealing with some one life there's no dollar amount or way of returning those years back to those who were really innocent and spent time in prison.

But if we were to reduce or even get rid of life imprisonment you would have hard core criminals walking the streets after a certain amount time spent in jail, I don't think anyone wants their children or them selves in that type of environment. Some people would say that the death penalty is inhuman, but I willing to bet if you were to ask those people who have lost their family or friends due to a murder I am sure they would not rest well with the idea of seeing that person just do some time and be walking around. I believe fully that criminals can and do rehabilitate, but most murders have no remorse for what they did and even if they do the fact of taking some ones life can never be undone. I strongly believe in "Eye for an eye".

Death penalty is not the right answer for all criminals. Those who commit murder in self defense of course they should not receive this punishment or perhaps any type. But those who do it for fun, money or even out of anger definitely deserve the death penalty. All too often the judicial system allows those who murder to plead insanity.

Insanity is defined as the means of failure to respond to the usual sort of incentives in the usual ways. Too many people are quick to use this option in order to escape the death penalty this not fair to society or the family or even the victim! If some one does not understand mentally that going around killing people is wrong, then I believe that letting such people live is not only a great threat to society, but also a great burden. Death penalty is extremely good and serves a definite role in reducing crime as well as bringing justice to the criminals and innocent.

I believe the death penalty should not be removed for it ensures the safety of the society, and more importantly helps reduce crime and criminals in our society.

Bibliography

Richard S eter "An Introduction Corrections" 2005 Ernest van Hagg "On Deterrence and the Death Penalty " Hugo Buda u "Capital Punishment and Social Defense".