Capital punishment or the death penalty is a legal process whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. The judicial decree that someone be punished in this manner is a death sentence, while the actual enforcement is an execution. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. 58 countries maintain the death penalty in both law and practice. it as a way of deterring crimes.
Death Penalty for Heinous Crimes ( Republic Act No. 7659) "AN ACT TO IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
The death penalty gives closure to the victim's families who have suffered so much.
The death penalty can also help provide closure for the victim's family and friends, who will no longer have to fear the return of this criminal into society. They will not have to worry about parole or the chance of escape, and will thus be able to achieve a greater degree of closure.
Mary Heidcamp, a Chicago woman whose mother's killer faced the death penalty before the State Governor commuted the sentences to life in prison, stated 'we were looking forward to the death penalty. I'm just so disappointed in the system'1. Other victims' families deemed the decision a 'mockery', that 'justice is not done'1. It creates another form of crime deterrent.
The state has a responsibility to protect the lives of innocent citizens, and enacting the death penalty may save lives by reducing the rate of violent crime.
The reasoning here is simple- fear of execution can play a powerful motivating role in convincing potential murderers not to carry out their acts. While the prospect of life in prison may be frightening, surely death is a more daunting prospect. Thus, the risk of execution can change the cost-benefit calculus in the mind of murderers-to be so that the act is no longer worthwhile for them1.
Numerous studies support the deterrent effect of the death penalty. A 1985 study by Stephen K. Layson at the University of North Carolina showed that a single execution deters 18 murders. Another influential study, which looked at over 3,054 counties over two decades, further found support for the claim that murder rates tend to fall as executions rise2.
On top of this, there are ways to make the death penalty an even more effective deterrent than it is today. For instance, reducing the wait time on death row prior to execution can dramatically increase its deterrent effect in the United States1.
In short, the death penalty can- and does- save the lives of innocent people.
Justice is better served.
Our justice system shows more sympathy for criminals than it does victims.
It provides a deterrent for prisoners already serving a life sentence.
DNA testing and other methods of modern crime scene science can now effectively eliminate almost all uncertainty as to a person's guilt or innocence.
Prisoner parole or escapes can give criminals another chance to kill.
It contributes to the problem of overpopulation in the prison system.
The death penalty can help ease the problem of overcrowded prisons in many countries, where keeping people for life in prison contributes to expensive and at times unconstitutional overcrowding1.
In 2011, California prison overcrowding was so problematic that a district court panel ordered authorities to release or transfer more than 33,000 inmates. This decision was held up by the U.S. Supreme Court, which argued that the conditions in the overcrowded prisons are so overwhelming that they constitute cruel and unusual punishment2. Similarly, in the United Kingdom two thirds of prisons in England and Wales have been deemed overcrowded3.
As such, the death penalty may be preferable to life in prison since it helps alleviate a pressing problem in the criminal justice system. It is better to execute those who deserve it than to be forced to release dangerous offenders into society because prisons are overcrowded by people serving life sentences.
Execution prevents the accused from committing further crimes.
The death penalty is the only way to ensure that criminals do not escape back into society or commit further crimes while in prison.
While in prison, it is not uncommon for those receiving life in jail sentences to commit homicide, suicide, or other crimes while in jail, since there is no worse punishment they can receive1. Putting dangerous murderers in prison endangers other prisoners and the guards who must watch them.
The other advantage of execution is that it prevents the possibly of an escape from prison. Even the highest security detention facilities can have escapees2. Thus, the only way to be absolutely certain that a convicted murder can no longer hurt others is to execute them.
The death penalty should apply as punishment for first-degree murder; an eye for an eye.
The worst crimes deserve the most severe sanctions; first-degree murder involves the intentional slaughter of another human being. There are crimes that are more visceral, but there are none that are more deadly. Such a heinous crime can only be punished, in a just and fair manner, with the death penalty.
As Time put it, 'there is a zero-sum symmetry to capital punishment that is simple and satisfying enough to feel like human instinct: the worst possible crime deserves no less than the worst possible punishment' 1.Human life is sacred; there must be a deterrent mechanism in place that ensures that those violating that fundamental precept are punished. Capital punishment symbolizes the value and importance placed upon the maintenance of the sanctity of human life. Any lesser sentence would fail in this duty.
The present situation of the Philippines now is that the country is obviously suffering from poverty. Addition to this, Philippines’ crime rate is still high.
With these issues that devastates the country today, death penalty can be a solution. If death penalty shall be implemented once again in the country, crime rates will possibly decrease. For this can somehow “discourage” criminals to kill because fear will be instill in their minds, that is if they still have fear.
Since death penalty can lessen criminals, the population of the Philippines will decrease as well. This is an advantage because the current situation of the country is still under the line of overpopulation.
Lifetime imprisonment does not only waste the government’s money for their food and security rather shall impose to the countrymen that the government is serious about the number of crimes happening in the country. Justice, as we know, can be bought in the Philippines. It is always unfair when a rich criminal is imprisoned than a marginalized criminal forced to did such action because of poverty. Death penalty can erase this gap.
The criminals does not only ruin their own reputation but also of the place they came from. Take for example the Maguindanao massacre, are the Ampatuans the only feared of the people or even the place itself? Thus, these killers of the society pollutes the image of the place they came from.
Punishment shall be imposed to the criminals with high record in the government. However, this does not include those people who have killed only an individual. This can apply to grave massacres, or related crimes.
When death penalty will be impose in the country, the possibility that the freed criminals can kill another person be lessen. Let us not forget that the four walls of religion do not only make who we are. It is only a part of our life. The best for the society shall be implemented in whatever ways.
Death Penalty is not against morality it is just implemented to prevent the high rate of the crime because “Prevention is better than cure.”
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The death penalty is an extremely vital way of the criminal justice system. The punishment of death can help decrease crime rates. Also, this way of death can lessen the amount of criminals and give families closure. It gives closure because, the families now know that this person will never be able to hurt them or anyone else ever again. The death penalty is a very good way to end many troubles within the U.S.…
- 849 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Death Penalty is the sentence of death upon a person by the state, as punishment for a crime of which the criminal was convicted in court.…
- 605 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty has been an ongoing debate on whether it should be allowed or whether it violates our constitutional right. While most developed Western nations have stopped executing the United States continues to execute offenders (Zimring 2004). From 1977 through 2008 1,136 people have been executed, which consisted of people who committed murder (Procon 2010). Those who are in favor of the death penalty believe it is an important tool to help deter crime and it cost less than life imprisonment (Procon 2010). They believe retribution helps console the grieving family and it also ensures that the offender will never be able to commit another heinous crime (Procon 2010). According to Grant (2004) some people believe that some offenders should face the death penalty because of vengeance and retribution for violent crimes. During the…
- 1847 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Many people who are against capital punishment are only thinking of the criminal and how cruel it is for them. But, shouldn’t we think of the families that are broken apart now because of the merciless acts of these criminals. Think of Susan Smith, how she knowingly drove her car off into a lake with her two children strapped to the seats. Think of how they must have felt as the cold water started to fill the cabin of the car, and then ultimately drown them. Barbaric is exactly the word I would use to describe her actions. But yet, the jury rejected the death penalty and chose a life sentence instead. Mr. Smith, the father of the two children, broken up from the ruling said "Me and my family are disappointed that the death penalty was not the verdict, but it wasn’t our choice. They returned a verdict they thought was justice" (Bragg, pg. 1+).…
- 921 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Although the death penalty pushes discipline and severe consequences for the crimes that have been committed, life in prison is more humane and less expensive. Many victims feel that the death penalty can give them closure, knowing that the culprit is dead. When we convict someone of a crime, it is not right to kill them. Prison could change them. If you do not use the death penalty, their families could still visit and maintain a relationship with them.…
- 424 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty has many benefits. One is that it can help stop evil people from hurting others again in the future. A study in Texas, a state where re-arrests are common, showed that only 20% of prisoners served all their time (Dieter). If the death penalty had played a bigger role in Texas prisons, fewer prisoners would have been released early, and re-arrests would become less common. It has been shown that for every inmate put to death 3 to 18 murders are prevented (Muhlhausen).…
- 603 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital punishment is a punishment that results in death usually caused by capital crimes or capital offenses. It is commonly referred to as the death sentence. According to an article “Buzzle” not all countries accept capital punishment but there are still a lot of states who do (par.1). Capital punishment has been around for thousands of years, this punishment is said to have helped keep crime level down and alter the minds of future criminals to prevent them from committing atrocious crimes such as: murder, terrorism, and in some situations aggravated kidnapping.…
- 365 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Capital Punishment, legal infliction of death as a penalty for violating criminal law. Methods of execution have included such practices as crucifixion, stoning, drowning, burning at the stake, impaling, and beheading. Today capital punishment is typically accomplished by lethal gas or injection, electrocution, hanging, or shooting.…
- 880 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The death penalty has always been a controversial topic in the United States. It is outlawed in 16 states, but it should be abolished in all fifty states. The act of the death penalty is irrational, costly, inhumane, and religiously immoral. Taking an individual’s life, because he/she murdered someone is senseless and is not a good representation of the United States.…
- 1980 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
People who support the death penalty would argue that the death penalty deters people from murder because they are scared of being sentenced to death. It might scare some people, but the vast majority of murders would kill anyway, for most murders are not rationalizing their actions. Also, according to some being sentenced to life is a worse punishment than the death penalty for death would put them out of their misery. The life sentence is just as bad as a death sentence, so why have the death penalty at all? The death penalty is not beneficial. It only creates problems.…
- 2248 Words
- 9 Pages
Good Essays -
of death is no more successful in reducing crime than the fear of life in prison, and is therefore…
- 1119 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Pros of the Death Penalty is establishing consequences for Capital Crimes, they established final consequences for convicts that cannot be sustained nor act lawfully. One of the biggest advantages to keep the death penalty is to prevent the crime from recurring again. Death Penalty sentencing adequately considered an advantage of the death penalty that is critical and adequate considerations are made before judgment is made for death penalty sentencing. Methodology for preventing criminal crimes is also an advantage of the death penalty is that the death penalty serves as a methodology for preventing capital crimes. In having the highest interest to prevent murder within society, it is understandable to implement the strongest punishment available…
- 282 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Jackson III, who was executed in (2011) for the ax murder of a 47-year-old woman brutally bludgeoning the woman to death for $60.00 to buy crack. (“Milford Beacon”) I know that our system works, and that the death penalty is there to put a stop to the aggravated offenders, and we as a whole have to stand by our government, and do what is right for our neighbors. A person committing a crime of aggravated murder should not be allowed to spend more than two years waiting an execution date; the punishment should be carried out as swiftly as the life they took away. No family should have to be reminded needlessly, that their loved one was brutally taken from them in any way other than by life’s own…
- 1795 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
Since the death penalty was reinstated, over 100 death row inmates have had their convictions overturned. Over half of these reversals have occurred since 1990. This is not a problem that is going awaythe system is human and fallible. Mistakes can happen anywhere in the criminal justice system, but with the death penalty they bury their mistakes. And with so many mistakes revealed in recent years, they should not be executing anyone. If the death penalty were an assembly line, and it produced defective products that were endangering people's lives, the factory would be closed; and the products would be recalled. Here's a true story of a boy named Anthony Porter that I found in Chicago Sun Times. Porter was scheduled to be executed in September 1998 in Illinois. Porter was mentally retarded and his attorneys successfully asked the judge for a hearing to determine whether he was competent enough to be executed. With this long delay waiting execution, there was an opportunity for a journalism class at Northwestern University to take Porter's case as an investigative exercise. The students assigned to Porter's case tried to re-enact the scene of the crime, but the description from the trial would not match the real scene. They next contacted one of the witnesses. Amazingly, she admitted that she had lied about Porter at his trial. Moreover, she led the…
- 1323 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The advocates of the death penalty says that it can deter crime, is a good tool for police and prosecutors, also improves the community by making sure that convicted criminals do not offend again. In my opinion I agree with that, however, just for murders and rapes; not for minor crimes as robberies, drug smuggling, carjacking, home invasion, etc.…
- 333 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays