Benefits of the Death Penalty essays

Benefits of the Death Penalty essays Of all global issues, capital punishment has been a source of controversy since its beginning in the Eighteenth Century B.C. In those days, executions were carried out in many fashions including crucifixion, drowning, and beating to death. Executions now consist of the gas chamber, lethal injection, electrocution and the firing squad. Since its beginning, protestors argue there is no justification for this punishment as it violates a criminals rights. Research shows that capital punishment is beneficial as it has reduced the rate of both murder and serial killing across the globe. One argument against capital punishment concerns the moral right to execute criminals. Protestors argue that the commandment Thou shalt not kill should apply to any form of killing. The Bible condones and dictates death for murder and various other offenses such as kidnapping and sodomy. In Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18-19), God destroyed the two cities because of the appalling sins of its people. Another argument is the criminals rights regarding mistreatment in prisons. They are given adequate food and shelter, which does not constitute mistreatment. An argument in favor of capital punishment is overpopulation. Several violent criminals are given life sentences, some with the possibility of parole and many are repeat offenders. Too many criminals released on parole find another victim and repeat their behavior. Some criminals prefer a life in jail to life on the outside for reasons such as not having to work and the quality of care they receive while in prison. Overpopulation is an increasingly bigger problem than was once anticipated and has created the need for more funding so more prisons can be built. A stronger reason in support of capital punishment is the amount of funds currently used, such as providing food and shelter for inmates, which can drain the economy. Although the relief of capital punishment seems ...