FREE ESSAY ON THE DEATH PENALTY

THE DEATH PENALTY

The Death Penalty
Why is the death penalty used as a means of punishment for crime? Is this just a way to
solve the nations growing problem of overcrowded prisons, or is justice really being
served? Why do some view the taking of a life morally correct? These questions are
discussed and debated upon in every state and national legislature throughout the
country. Advantages and disadvantages for the death penalty exist, and many members of
the United States, and individual State governments, have differing opinions. Yet it
seems that the stronger arguments, and evidence such as cost effectiveness, should lead
the common citizen to the opposition of Capital Punishment. 
Those who choose to support Capital Punishment are assuming that just because death is an
absolute form of punishment, it will be a strong deterrent to crime. Yet, the US is the
only Western nation that still allows the death penalty, and we also have one of the
highest crime rates. During the 1980s, death penalty states averaged an annual rate of
7.5 criminal homicides per 100,000, while abolition states averaged a rate of 7.4 per
100,000 (Bryant). This data shows that a threat of Capital Punishment has no effect on
crime in America. Furthermore, the Miami Herald reported that Florida, with one of the
nation's largest death rows, has estimated that the true cost of each execution is
approximately $3.2 million, or approximately six times the cost of a life-imprisonment
sentence. This shows that not only is the threat of being placed on death row
ineffective, but the act is much more expensive than just leaving the accused in jail.
Aren't here other areas of need where this large sum of money could be used more
effectively?
Supporters of Capital Punishment have various reasons for their opinions. Michael Bryant,
a 30-year old columnist writer, posted some facts and opinions on the Internet
representing the viewpoint of a Capital Punishment supporter. Keeping a prisoner in jail
for life will be very expensive considering that it costs $80,000 a year; and the bad
news is that the money comes from the taxpayer's pocket. Thousands of people will attack
the death penalty. They will give emotional speeches about the one innocent man who might
be executed. However, all of these people are forgetting one crucial element. They are
forgetting the thousands of victims who die every year. This may sound awkward, but the
death penalty saves lives. It saves lives because it stops those who murder from ever
murdering again (Bryant). These opinions represent some of the strongest and most
influential views that proponents hold. However, if our prison system could rehabilitate
more effectively, perhaps those who murdered once, could change. 
Texas being one of the states within the U.S. that allows Capital Punishment also has one
of the largest death rows. Jim Mattox, former Attorney General of Texas, who supported
the death penalty during his term of office, does not believe that murderers in Texas are
hindered by the death penalty. Mattox interviewed nearly all the people executed in Texas
between 1976 and 1988 and concluded that the death sentence never crossed their minds
before they committed their crime. "It is my own experience that those executed in Texas
were not deterred by the existence of the death penalty," he said (Death). It seems that
even supporters of the death penalty are unsure of its effectiveness.
One of the most controversial applications of the death penalty has been developing for
twenty-two years in Texas. Joseph Faulder, a Canadian citizen, was sentenced to death in
1977 for a murder committed in Dallas. Canada, his home country, does not practice
Capital Punishment. Though he appealed seventeen times, and his execution would violate a
two-hundred year old federal law known as the Alien Tort Claims Act, the Texas judiciary
system sent Faulder to his death on June 17, 1999. Even a flood of official protests from
Canadian state officials, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the human rights
arm of the Organization of American States, even the Vatican, also proved of no avail
(Ward). Quoting Diane Clements, a protester in favor of the execution, "The message to
them tonight is to stay home, don't butt in where you don't have business in Texas
(Ward). In this highly controversial event, the dangers of the God-like powers given to
the courts under Capital Punishment are evident. Not only could this event have caused an
international crisis, but it was an unneeded display of power by the Texas judiciary
system.
Even though the majority of the states in the U.S., thirty-eight, support Capital
Punishment, there is still a strong opposition towards it. Opponents argue that if our
prison system were effective, there would be no need for Capital Punishment. Congressmen
Mark Price states his views on our prison system: "While I do not think that sending a
person to 'rehab' will help them always, I do believe that people who once molested,
raped, or murdered in cold blood can be healed and brought back to function in this
society. The problem is that prison doesn't rehabilitate, it can make the person even
more offended and sickened at society and prone to harming themselves or innocent
victims. It is not just as simple to supply answers that will work when applied to
reality. I think that placing a person in a loving, nurturing environment will eventually
bring out the best in them" (Pragmatic). As implied by Mark Price, our prison systems are
doing an ineffective job of rehabilitation, and don't supply the kind of environment that
encourages change. This problem is seemingly endless though. The penal system of the
United States, and Texas in particular is already extremely overcrowded, and a positive
environment can't be produced without individual attention. Yet, the reform of prisons is
perhaps the key to changing current views upon Capital Punishment. Society needs to
concentrate on helping those who need help, instead of simply discarding, or eliminating
the problem.
Why is the death penalty used as a means of punishment for crime? As discussed above,
there seems to be no prevalent reason for Capital Punishment to continue. It can cause
unnecessary disputes, waste precious money and time, and it doesn't deter crime. Maybe
the key for reform is within the prison system itself, but change is not approaching
quickly. It seems that for now, opponents will have to deal with Capital Punishment and
hope for the best.
Bibliography
Works Cited
Bryant, Michael. "Thoughts on Capital Punishment." 
(June 12, 1999)
"Is the Death Penalty Necessary?" 
(June 15, 1999)
"Pragmatic Arguments Against the Death Penalty." 
(June 12, 1999)
Ward, Mike. "Canadian executed after pleas exhausted." 18 June 1999. Section B, page 1.