Assignment on capital punishment pdf

Running head: DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Introduction
Capital punishment refers to the practice of executing those who have been found guilty
by the court for a crime. Only the state has the authority to execute someone as punishment. In
the recent years however, this form of punishment especially in the United States has been a
topic of discussion and controversy. While some opine that capital punishment makes the
judiciary strong and should be used against the guilty people, others are against it arguing that it
is brutal and against morality.
Those arguing in favor of capital punishment state that people need to suffer for their
wrongdoing and it is the best way to do it. This would also warn others from committing any
crime. Arguments against capital punishment involve value for human life and the right to live
for people, which is scrapped away from the people because of capital punishment. In addition,
they also argue that capital punishment often claims the lives of innocent people.
The aim of this essay is to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of capital
punishment. The essay will first provide the strengths of capital punishment and then delve upon
its weaknesses. Based on the sources available and readings, the essay will present argument
opposing capital punishment. Capital punishment is against the universal principles of humanity
and hence, it must be banned or made illegal. The punishment does not provide justice to the
victims rather it mocks justice as taking lives for a crime gives rise to another crime itself.
Discussion
Strengths of capital punishment

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DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Capital punishments are often viewed as a form of retribution for families who have been
affected by the crime. The basic argument behind retribution is that each individual who is guilty
of a crime deserves the punishment. The guilty person deserves to be punished as per the
brutality of the crime committed. According to those who support this argument, real justice is
only delivered when the wrongdoers are made to suffer.
Chalfin, Haviland and Raphael (2013) argue, capital punishment brings out the
conscience in the perpetrators and sets an example for others so that they do not commit the
same crime. Deterrence is one of the vital strengths of capital punishment. However, it is most
effective when the verdict takes little time and the punishment happens quickly. Some
proponents even support capital punishment even if it does not deter future crimes. According to
them, executing murderers without any deterrent effect is far better than setting them free and
deter any criminal.
It is true that capital punishment does not rehabilitate the convicts and allow them to
return to society, it does give them a chance to remorse. A report published in ProPublica details
the incidences of violence that led to many people especially children experience post traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). As per the report, the children exposed to violence such as gun violence
and riots at a young age are most likely to develop PTSD (Propublica.org, 2018). The proponents
of capital punishment also give account of such incidences to support capital punishment as that
would allow young children to have a normal life in their neighborhood without being exposed
to violence. In addition, it would also make sure that those committing the crimes are given the
chance to repent.

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DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Capital punishment makes sure that the offence or crime is not committed again as the
one who did it would no longer roam free. Cases have been there where those escaping prison
have committed the crimes again and hence, capital punishment is required to avoid such
incidences further.
Those supporting the capital punishment also argue that it gives closure to the families of
the victims who suffer due to the loss their loved ones.
In many countries, plea bargaining is used to reduce the sentence of those serving in
prison in exchange of helping the police. When the convict is on a death row, the chances are
stronger to reduce to much lesser sentence through providing help to the police.
Weaknesses of capital punishment
As compared to the strengths however, capital punishment has more weaknesses that
shall be discussed to prove that it is against the universal principle of humanity. At first, it would
be beneficial to argue against the strengths as put forward in the above section. Supporters of
capital punishment claim that capital punishment provides retribution. To this, it should be
argued that capital punishment seems more of a vengeance than retribution and hence, it is a
doubtful concept.
The proponents of capital punishment then put forward the argument that capital
punishment provides an opportunity to the perpetrators to rehabilitate so that they could express
remorse and repent. However, it is a feeble reason to support capital punishment. Further,
programs such as the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIE) to create
employment opportunities for prisoners thus helping them rehabilitate has been met with
criticism. In a report published in The Guardian, the PIE program has anything but helped the