Should Capital Punishment Be Abolished

Should capital punishment be abolished?
Essay By: Sam Smith
Editorial and opinion

A college essay.

Submitted:Nov 12, 2012    Reads: 1,081    Comments: 1    Likes: 1   

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty is a controversial and complicated issue that can cause much heated debate. Opposition to the death penalty includes those who argue in favour of the sanctity of life and those who either argue that it does not work as a detriment or that we should be focusing on rehabilitating prisoners instead of punishing them. Also the justice system is not infallible and as sometimes innocent people get imprisoned so do innocent people sometimes get executed. Supporters of the death penalty argue that it does work as a detriment to criminals and that it guarantees that individuals such as Osama Bin Laden, Ted Bundy and other brutal murderers and tyrants are never again free to commit their heinous crimes.

Easily among the most important concerns over the death penalty are whether or not it works as detriment and keeps dangerous individuals from recommitting crimes. Some would argue that life in prison is a harsh enough sentence and measure to keep criminals from the public. While others argue that the death penalty is the safest and surest way of doing this.

“Capital punishment permanently removes the worst criminals from society and should prove much safer for the rest of us than long term or permanent incarceration.”
(http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/thoughts.html)

It is understandable that people would argue this as the death penalty definitely does permanently remove highly dangerous criminals from society and sends a strong message. If you commit a serious crime you will be severely punished. The Japanese have put forward an interesting case in favour of capital punishment.

“A unique justification for keeping capital punishment has been put forward by some Japanese psychologists […] The argument goes that the death penalty...