Story Board
The Death Penalty is punishment for serious crimes; murder, treason, etc, and is administered legally by a government official.
The prisoners charged with these crimes are put into a place called Death Row. Death Row is a place in prison sanctioned off for prisoners waiting for execution. Lethal injection is often used for prisoners on Death Row. One of the chemicals in the injection is Sodium Thiopental, which induces very deep sleep. Money is a big issue in this. The Government is failing to support this because the chemicals they use are expensive. The United States is ranked 5th in the world in the number of executions. In 5 years we have killed 220 inmates. 18% higher in criminal rates without the Death Penalty. Eighteen states have Abolished the Death Penalty including Alaska, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Hawaii, etc. |
Counter Point
|
Justice is only when a crime is met with the right punishment. For a few crimes, the only punishment is the death penalty. Capital Punishment makes sure that murderers never get the chance to murder again, and to provide justice for the families affected by the murderer. From 1966-1980, only six executions happened, and the murder rate doubled from 5.6 per 100,000 to 10.2. Then it fell back to 5.7 when it reached an all time high of 98. The murder rate dropped 73% between 1981, the year before Texas resumed executions, and 2000. Capital Punishment is necessary to make sure that those who commit first degree murder receive appropriate punishments to their actions. Life sentences leave open the possibility of a convict getting a chance to commit crimes again, the death penalty doesn't. In 1973, Shawcross, was convicted of the rape and murder of two children. Since the Death Penalty was declared unlawful, Shawcross had been sentenced to prison. After serving only 15 years he had been paroled in 1988. When released from prison, Shawcross killed 11 more people. That's 11 people who would be alive if justice had been served 24 years ago.
|
Point
|
Studies reveal that a racial bias plays a compelling role in whether a convicted criminal receives the Death Penalty. More than 20% of convicted black Death Penalties were given to an all white jury. If an African American kills a white man, he is 3 times more likely to get the Death Penalty than a white man killing a white man. 37% of American prisoners are black, 41% are in Death Row. 3,350 people on Death Row as of 2007, 40% are black. The 8th Amendment states that cruel and unusual punishment is prohibited. As of 2007, 129 countries (more than half the world) have Abolished the Death Penalty. Innocence Project, founded by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck. States, as of 2007, 201 wrongly convicted and 15 in Death Row. A total of 2,475 years in prison for crimes they hadn’t committed.111 Death Row inmates who, since 1973, were proven innocent. This is why it’s not trustable. The Police Chiefs from all around the world have calculated and said that the Death Penalty doesn’t decrease crime rates. For example, in Baltimore, the Death Penalty did not decrease murders.
|
Conclusion
|
In conclusion, the Death Penalty should be Abolished. But an inmate should have the option of death. Death Option is an inmate who would rather die than spend time in prison but only if it is a life sentence.
I think that the Death Penalty is needed but only in serious cases, and when it has been without a doubt proven, and depending on the severity of the crime they committed. To make sure they don’t murder any more innocent victims. |