Thread: Does the death sentence serve justice?

Does the death sentence serve justice, or is it a cruel way of trying to stop criminals?

The death sentence is the ultimate hypocracy. The political right, capital punishment's staunchest supporters, accuse the left of being in favor of more government control. However they would grant the government the power to grant life or death. The notion that the sentence is an expression of public sentiment goes out the window with Judical Override. Simply put, the presiding judge is not bound by jury reccomendation of sentence. Also, one state (Alabama) does not even provide death row inmates with legal council for appeals. There are no protocols in most states regulating lethal injection. For example, a condemned man in Ohio after 45 minutes of agony cried out, "Please give me something by mouth to end this!" Another suffered for half an hour because of incompetent drug administration. His injection was given IM because the attending individual did not or could not hit a vein. He died of a protracted cardiac arrest. The Constitution does not allow for cruel and unusual punishment. The religious right crow incessantly about justice and Judeo-Christian values. I think "Thou Shalt not Kill" and "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord." are pretty straightforward.

I think it's all about revenge.

So no, I don't think it serves justice.

I'm kind of at odds with myself with this particular issue. I can totally understand the reasons why a murdered persons' family would want their loved ones' killer put to death. But at the same time, should the STATE make that decision or should the family members be given the option instead?

Because the state really has no reason to do it, but the family sure has the right to want it to happen. What does the death penalty accomplish for the state?

In order to answer this question, we need to think about what Capital Punishment brings to society.

Why do some countries allow capital punishment? Because they think that it puts people of killing if they know that they will recieve the death penalty, because they think that it eliminates dangerous criminals from society (which it does without a doubt), it makes sure the there is enough prison space and that prisons are not clogged up with murderers, because they feel that this is a fitting punishment for a murderer, and in order for the victims family to get revenge.

But on the other hand, capital punishment is a very risky law. What always seems to happen whenever CP is legal, is that they are 100% sure they have the right guy, they kill him, and then figure out it actually wasn't him. It does make sure that convicted killers are never let out of prison, but surely it says something about society if convicted killers are allowed out of jail early and can roam the streets as any other law abiding citizen. As for prison space. Built another prison. I would rather think that my taxes are being spent keeping dangerous criminals behind bars than being frittered away on unnecessary wars....and what about graveyard space? Where are we gonna put these guys once their bodies are cold and non-functioning? As for it being a fitting punishment, you have to think about this from a criminal mind. I am no killer, but when i weigh up the options ; die, quite peacefully painlessly, or go to prison and be beaten tous les temps by killer haters, i know which one i would prefer. If someone killed my brother, i would want them to be locked up in Britains roughest prison for the rest of their lives. That is my revenge on earth. And once that time is up, God will have a whole lot more waiting...

My conclusion; there are arguments for and against that are equally persuasive. Thinking about it from the point of views of the killer and the victims family and friends, i would be against capital punishment. Thinking about it from the point of view keeping society safe, the i'm all for it. Thinking about it from a point of view that asks whether it is a good thing that society becomes a place where we could well be seen as hypocritical and a society breaking the most important of the 10 commandments, as a Christian country, then no, CP should be illegal.

Originally Posted by Darcy Smith

In order to answer this question, we need to think about what Capital Punishment brings to society.

Why do some countries allow capital punishment? Because they think that it puts people of killing if they know that they will recieve the death penalty, because they think that it eliminates dangerous criminals from society (which it does without a doubt), it makes sure the there is enough prison space and that prisons are not clogged up with murderers, because they feel that this is a fitting punishment for a murderer, and in order for the victims family to get revenge.

But on the other hand, capital punishment is a very risky law. What always seems to happen whenever CP is legal, is that they are 100% sure they have the right guy, they kill him, and then figure out it actually wasn't him. It does make sure that convicted killers are never let out of prison, but surely it says something about society if convicted killers are allowed out of jail early and can roam the streets as any other law abiding citizen. As for prison space. Built another prison. I would rather think that my taxes are being spent keeping dangerous criminals behind bars than being frittered away on unnecessary wars....and what about graveyard space? Where are we gonna put these guys once their bodies are cold and non-functioning? As for it being a fitting punishment, you have to think about this from a criminal mind. I am no killer, but when i weigh up the options ; die, quite peacefully painlessly, or go to prison and be beaten tous les temps by killer haters, i know which one i would prefer. If someone killed my brother, i would want them to be locked up in Britains roughest prison for the rest of their lives. That is my revenge on earth. And once that time is up, God will have a whole lot more waiting...

My conclusion; there are arguments for and against that are equally persuasive. Thinking about it from the point of views of the killer and the victims family and friends, i would be against capital punishment. Thinking about it from the point of view keeping society safe, the i'm all for it. Thinking about it from a point of view that asks whether it is a good thing that society becomes a place where we could well be seen as hypocritical and a society breaking the most important of the 10 commandments, as a Christian country, then no, CP should be illegal.

The Bible speaks of the death penalty AND condones it. What are you talking about?

Originally Posted by RWL253

The Bible speaks of the death penalty AND condones it. What are you talking about?

The Bible is full of paradoxes.

Originally Posted by dbelkau

The Bible is full of paradoxes.

Yes, it is.

The death penalty most definitely serves justice. If someone commits a crime knowing full well that the death penalty could be the result then that is what they deserve. The punishment must fit the crime. The death penalty is not imposed for traffic violations. It is only imposed when the lives of others have been ruined or ended due to the actions of a sociopath. Why should the state spend the money to feed and house a person that has violated the law by taking another persons life?

Originally Posted by usfaithful

The death penalty most definitely serves justice. If someone commits a crime knowing full well that the death penalty could be the result then that is what they deserve. The punishment must fit the crime. The death penalty is not imposed for traffic violations. It is only imposed when the lives of others have been ruined or ended due to the actions of a sociopath. Why should the state spend the money to feed and house a person that has violated the law by taking another persons life?

Great post.