Death Penalty - Justified

Death Penalty - Justified

There are many problems facing our criminal justice system today. Some of the more important ones are overcrowded jails, the increasing murder rate, and keeping tax payers content. In light of these problems, I think the death penalty is our best and most reasonable solution because it is a highly effective deterrent to murder. And, tax payers would be pleased to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are not being wasted on supporting incorrigible criminals who are menaces to society. In addition, they would not be forced to fund the development of new penitentiaries in order to make room for the growing number of inmates in our already overcrowded jails. Moreover, the death penalty would serve to curb the growth of future crimes and consequently the number of inmates would also be reduced. Thus, overcrowding in federal and state penitentiaries would be eliminated. In this essay, I will discuss these ideas and prove why capital punishment is the best viable solution to the problems plaguing our criminal justice system.

Capital punishment could solve our problem with the increasing murder rate because it serves a highly effective deterrent. “The death penalty deters murder by putting the fear of death into would be killers. A person is less likely to do something, if he or she thinks that harm will come to him” (Studyworld 1). This fear of death is the key to reducing the murder rate. Frank G. Carrington informs us that

Louis Joseph Turck..., an ex-convict with a felony record dating from 1941, was arrested May 20, 1961 for robbery. He had used guns in prior robberies in other states but only pretended to be carrying a gun in the robbery here [Cal...

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...ng tax payers, and the other problems facing out criminal justice system. As we have seen, it can serve as a deterrent and reduce the murder rate. In addition, the death penalty would fee up space in overcrowded state and federal prisons. Moreover, it satisfies tax payers because it requires less tax money and can eliminate the need for additional prisons. Hence, capital punishment should be instituted everywhere.

Works Consulted

“Benefits of Capital Punishment.” Studyworld. 20 Nov. 2002 .

Carrington, Frank G. Neither Cruel nor Unusual. New York: Arlington House Publishers, 1978.

Jacobs, Nancy R, Alison Landers, and Mark A. Siegel, eds. Capital Punishment - Cruel and Unusual?. 1979-1996. 7th ed. Texas: Information Plus, 1996.