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Jodie Chahyana – 01 PAU

Should the death penalty be mandatory for all

murderers?

Today, as society grows, it becomes more organized. Society

itself has the power to carry out formalized punishments. Now,

many countries such as Belarus, Egypt, China and Indonesia, carry

out their right to punish criminal, ranging from small punishments

to death by execution, or more commonly known as the death

penalty. It is the punishment of execution, conducted over

someone who has done capital crimes. These capital crimes

include cases of murder, armed robbery, drug trafficking and rape.

Some of the methods used to execute people in 2008 included

beheading, electrocution, hanging, lethal injection, shooting and

stoning. (Amnesty International USA, par. 8).

Of the many things that had kept people in line over the

years, death penalty is one of them. The question is, should it be

mandatory for all murderers? In spite of the fact that some people

think that the death penalty is heartless an inhumane, I think that

the society should be protected from criminals and therefore, the

death penalty should be mandatory for all murderers.

Opponents of the death penalty claim that even though the

criminal is sentenced to death, it will not raise the victim from the
dead. Some believe that it is more painful to undergo a lifetime

imprisonment rather than being executed in a few seconds.

However, the purpose of the death penalty to a murderer is simply

to do what him/herself had done because it is as merciless

punishment as the crime itself. People fear death. In life, there is

hope. Therefore it is more logical to say that people fear the death

penalty more than they fear the lifetime imprisonment. Although it

sends the wrong message, prison paroles or escapees could end

up in killing more people and as cruel and inhumane it may be, the

death penalty also helps with the overcrowding problem in the

prison system.

Opponents also maintain that there is a possibility that the

accused is innocent. There have been several cases of mistaken

execution, in which it is later proved that the one who is executed

is actually innocent. Nevertheless, nowadays technology keeps on

advancing, there are DNA methods and other effective ways that

can prove whether a person is actually guilty or innocent. Steven

D. Stewart, JD had stated,

“Our system of justice rightfully demands a higher

standard for death penalty cases. However, the risk of

making a mistake with the extraordinary due process

applied in death penalty cases is very small, and there is no

credible evidence to show that any innocent persons have

been executed at least since the death penalty was

reactivated in 1976.” (A Message from the Prosecuting


Attorney, n.d.).

So even thought there are no DNA testing or scientific ways, it is

still almost impossible to execute an innocent person as the trial

process is very detailed and comprehensive.

Last, opponents argue that if the objective of penalties is

rehabilitation; then, the death penalty is irrational and overrated.

Every person deserves a second chance in life and if rehabilitation

is indeed the purpose, then it is illogical to execute a person. J.

Budziszewski, PhD has stated in "Capital Punishment: The Case for

Justice," OrthodoxyToday.org,

“Deserved punishment protects society morally

by restoring this just order, making the wrongdoer pay a

price equivalent to the harm he has done. This is

retribution, not to be confused with revenge, which is

guided by a different motive. In retribution the spur is

the virtue of indignation, which answers injury with injury

for public good... Retribution is the primary purpose of

just punishment as such... Rehabilitation, protection, and

deterrence have a lesser status in punishment than

retribution." (Capital Punishment: The Case for Justice,

Budziszewski).

Even though that person may learn his/ her mistakes while in

prison, he/ she will certainly not return to society as a productive

person. Hence, it is sensible to say that the objective of death

penalties is plainly punishment. Other people in society should


have the right to be protected from murderers.

In my opinion, death penalties for murderers are mandatory

since it is safer for society. Death penalty can also reduce crime

level as it deters like-minded criminal to do more significant crime.

Although it may seem unfair to the criminal that he/she must

suffer the consequences to prevent others from doing the same

thing, it definitely helps in maintaining the society’s security. In

some countries where the death penalty is not put to use,

statistics show that the crime rates are very high. For this reason, I

believe that moderate punishments such as imprisonment would

not reduce crime levels, unlike the death penalty. In 2003,

Professor Shepherd found that each execution results, on average,

in five fewer murders. Longer waits on death row reduce the

deterrent effect. Therefore, recent legislation to shorten the time

prior to execution should increase deterrence and thus save more

innocent lives (Wesleylowe, par. 5).

In conclusion, until a better way is found to punish

murderers, death penalties should still be carried out. Innocent

and law-abiding citizens must be protected. Up to date, the death

penalty is the most effective way to prevent more serious crimes

and for that reason, the death penalty should stay.


Works Cited

Death Penalty Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2009,

from http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-

penalty/international-death-penalty/death-penalty-

statistics/page.do?id=1011348

Lacayo, R. (2009). The Tide Shifts Against The Death Penalty.

Retrieved December 10, 2009, from

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1876397,00.
html

The Death Penalty IS a Deterrent! (n.d.). Retrieved December 10,

2009, from http://www.wesleylowe.com/deter.html

The Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2009, from

http://www.deathwatchinternational.org/the_facts.php

Top 10 Pros and Cons: Should the death penalty be allowed? (n.d.).

Retrieved December 10, 2009, from

http://deathpenalty.procon.org/viewresource.asp?

resourceID=002000

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