Should The Death Penalty Be Abolished In Canada
On July 14 1976, capital punishment was abolished in Canada. The death penalty has always been and remains a controversial issue in countries all over the world; however because of justice, retribution and deterrence, it is evident that it should be brought back to Canada as a lawful consequence to committing first degree murder.
The foremost important reason for the application of capital punishment is justice. In Canadian law, a first degree murder conviction will result in a sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years. First degree murder is charged for premeditated murder, the murder of a law enforcement officer in their line of duty, or the murder of someone in a course of a sexual assault, kidnapping or forced confinement. This means 25 years after committing an atrocious offence, a murderer could potentially be put back on the streets. This is by no means an adequate punishment for a first degree murder. The death penalty serves better than any other form of punishment, as it ultimately ensures that a criminal can never harm another person again. Execution is the only true form of justice that shows murder is intolerable and will be punished accordingly. …show more content…
By reinstating capital punishment, criminals would not only be permanently removed from society, but future criminals would be deterred from committing crimes.
The goal of the law is to discourage would-be criminals from unlawful actions. Murder, being the worst crime to commit should have the worst punishment available to deter it, and that is the death penalty. Studied in the field of behavioural psychology, this harsh punishment is negative reinforcement, meaning to insist on acceptable behaviour to avoid the very negative outcome, death, the thing which we fear the most. Those that are not deterred will not be deterred by anything else. This would deterrence result in fewer murderers, and a decrease in
victims.
Finally, although no amount of deaths can bring someone back, the death penalty is effective in bringing closure to a heinous crime. Any less of a punishment undermines the values that a society should possess, and gives the deceased no justice. Victims of murder cannot avenge themselves; the law is expected to give them and their loved ones retribution. Bringing the peace of mind that a murderer will never be able to harm others again to the sufferers is a priceless consolation that can only be achieved through execution.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that capital punishment should be reinstated in Canada, and in all other places of the world whose societies have strong values regarding punishment in the event of an abhorrent crime. For the sake of justice, deterrence and retribution, the death penalty is the only feasible answer.
The foremost important reason for the application of capital punishment is justice. In Canadian law, a first degree murder conviction will result in a sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years. First degree murder is charged for premeditated murder, the murder of a law enforcement officer in their line of duty, or the murder of someone in a course of a sexual assault, kidnapping or forced confinement. This means 25 years after committing an atrocious offence, a murderer could potentially be put back on the streets. This is by no means an adequate punishment for a first degree murder. The death penalty serves better than any other form of punishment, as it ultimately ensures that a criminal can never harm another person again. Execution is the only true form of justice that shows murder is intolerable and will be punished accordingly. …show more content…
By reinstating capital punishment, criminals would not only be permanently removed from society, but future criminals would be deterred from committing crimes.
The goal of the law is to discourage would-be criminals from unlawful actions. Murder, being the worst crime to commit should have the worst punishment available to deter it, and that is the death penalty. Studied in the field of behavioural psychology, this harsh punishment is negative reinforcement, meaning to insist on acceptable behaviour to avoid the very negative outcome, death, the thing which we fear the most. Those that are not deterred will not be deterred by anything else. This would deterrence result in fewer murderers, and a decrease in
victims.
Finally, although no amount of deaths can bring someone back, the death penalty is effective in bringing closure to a heinous crime. Any less of a punishment undermines the values that a society should possess, and gives the deceased no justice. Victims of murder cannot avenge themselves; the law is expected to give them and their loved ones retribution. Bringing the peace of mind that a murderer will never be able to harm others again to the sufferers is a priceless consolation that can only be achieved through execution.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that capital punishment should be reinstated in Canada, and in all other places of the world whose societies have strong values regarding punishment in the event of an abhorrent crime. For the sake of justice, deterrence and retribution, the death penalty is the only feasible answer.