Death Penalty Not A Deterrent
May 09, 2008 10:00 AM EST
Death Penalty Not A Deterrent
Why do we believe the death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crime? According to the Death Penalty Information Center, over 3000 inmates reside on death row in the United States in 38 states. Since 1976, there have been 1026 executions for an average 34 per year.
Additionally, since 1973, there have been 123 inmates released from death row after being proved innocent. The average time an inmate spends on death row is 11 years. The cost to the taxpayer to prosecute, sentence, and house these inmates is millions per year.
The average number of people murdered in America per year is 20,000 of which there are 10,000 convections, 200 receiving the death penalty. These are astronomical numbers indicating a very real problem exists. Only on half of all murders are solved or convictions are obtained. 5% receive the death penalty! All right, I am sold; the death penalty is definitely not a deterrent to capital crime.
Then what is a deterrent? The average 11 years on death row before being executed is not a deterrent. If anything, it gains sympathy for the poor murderer. The longer they spend on death row, the shorter the memory. We forget the horror, pain and suffering inflicted on the victim, that their civil rights suffered the ultimate violation, that what was perpetrated onto them was cruel and unusual punishment, that they have not had 11 years to dwell on what happened, they cannot complain about the injustice experienced, or defend their right to live.
The murderer sits in prison and complains about how hard he has it and how harsh and cruel is his life. Always proclaiming his innocence. Infrequently showing any remorse for his crime. Advocates against the death penalty are partial to the following statement:
Vindication for victims and closure for victims' families are often held out as primary reasons for supporting the death penalty. However, many people believe that another killing would not bring closure and that the death penalty is a disservice to victims.
I believe prolonging life when a death sentence is handed down, really is a disservice to the victim, and will not bring closure to the family until justice is served.
In my opinion, it may be cruel and inhumane treatment of the murderer condemned to death to be subjected to 23 hours a day in confinement for anywhere from 8 to 20 years awaiting execution. Not that I personally have any sympathy, with DNA, there is no reason for anyone to be on death row for years, if it can be proved they are innocent, or for them not to be executed in a timely manner if proved to be guilty.
The numbers speak for themselves. The death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crime because of the length of time it takes to execute a murderer in this country. Once convicted, one appeal, then execute within 30days would probably be a deterrent.
Maintaining these people on death row for years is an unnecessary burden on society. The cost alone to house, feed, medicate, and all the free amenities they enjoy is astronomical. Why is it, we treat these criminals better than we do the thousands of homeless and those living in poverty?
The answer lies in the free legal service they are provided to ensure their lot in life and rights are not infringed. The frivolous lawsuits that tie up our court system are ludicrous. As far as I am concerned, they gave up their rights when they committed the crime. They should not be living better than anyone else in this society. Take away the televisions, the weight rooms, conjugal visits, and make prison a real hell-then, you will have a deterrent to crime.
The media does a lot to show life behind bars, and show how these criminals suffer. They do interviews and the inmate is always innocent or complains about being on death row and how the state does not have the right to take their life. How much remorse they demonstrate is evident in many last statements made by executed murderers.
The death penalty controversy will not be easily settled. There has to be an answer. It probably will not be found in the current penal system. When inmates can control criminal activity from prison, freely obtain drugs, and can commit murder inside prison this may be an indicator that the rats are running the ship.
The only way I see change, is when society gets so fed up, they finally act, and make the changes necessary, making it worse to commit the crime than it is to not commit the crime.
The ramblings of a madman, you decide.
Additionally, since 1973, there have been 123 inmates released from death row after being proved innocent. The average time an inmate spends on death row is 11 years. The cost to the taxpayer to prosecute, sentence, and house these inmates is millions per year.
The average number of people murdered in America per year is 20,000 of which there are 10,000 convections, 200 receiving the death penalty. These are astronomical numbers indicating a very real problem exists. Only on half of all murders are solved or convictions are obtained. 5% receive the death penalty! All right, I am sold; the death penalty is definitely not a deterrent to capital crime.
Then what is a deterrent? The average 11 years on death row before being executed is not a deterrent. If anything, it gains sympathy for the poor murderer. The longer they spend on death row, the shorter the memory. We forget the horror, pain and suffering inflicted on the victim, that their civil rights suffered the ultimate violation, that what was perpetrated onto them was cruel and unusual punishment, that they have not had 11 years to dwell on what happened, they cannot complain about the injustice experienced, or defend their right to live.
The murderer sits in prison and complains about how hard he has it and how harsh and cruel is his life. Always proclaiming his innocence. Infrequently showing any remorse for his crime. Advocates against the death penalty are partial to the following statement:
Vindication for victims and closure for victims' families are often held out as primary reasons for supporting the death penalty. However, many people believe that another killing would not bring closure and that the death penalty is a disservice to victims.
I believe prolonging life when a death sentence is handed down, really is a disservice to the victim, and will not bring closure to the family until justice is served.
In my opinion, it may be cruel and inhumane treatment of the murderer condemned to death to be subjected to 23 hours a day in confinement for anywhere from 8 to 20 years awaiting execution. Not that I personally have any sympathy, with DNA, there is no reason for anyone to be on death row for years, if it can be proved they are innocent, or for them not to be executed in a timely manner if proved to be guilty.
The numbers speak for themselves. The death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crime because of the length of time it takes to execute a murderer in this country. Once convicted, one appeal, then execute within 30days would probably be a deterrent.
Maintaining these people on death row for years is an unnecessary burden on society. The cost alone to house, feed, medicate, and all the free amenities they enjoy is astronomical. Why is it, we treat these criminals better than we do the thousands of homeless and those living in poverty?
The answer lies in the free legal service they are provided to ensure their lot in life and rights are not infringed. The frivolous lawsuits that tie up our court system are ludicrous. As far as I am concerned, they gave up their rights when they committed the crime. They should not be living better than anyone else in this society. Take away the televisions, the weight rooms, conjugal visits, and make prison a real hell-then, you will have a deterrent to crime.
The media does a lot to show life behind bars, and show how these criminals suffer. They do interviews and the inmate is always innocent or complains about being on death row and how the state does not have the right to take their life. How much remorse they demonstrate is evident in many last statements made by executed murderers.
The death penalty controversy will not be easily settled. There has to be an answer. It probably will not be found in the current penal system. When inmates can control criminal activity from prison, freely obtain drugs, and can commit murder inside prison this may be an indicator that the rats are running the ship.
The only way I see change, is when society gets so fed up, they finally act, and make the changes necessary, making it worse to commit the crime than it is to not commit the crime.
The ramblings of a madman, you decide.
