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It violates the right to life...It is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. There can never be any justification for torture or for cruel treatment" (White, n.d., pg. 1).
In addition to the argument that it is a denial of human rights, abolitionists have an equally strong offender-centered argument of innocence (White, n.d. pg. 2). They argue that innocent people are often put to death, in what can only be termed a heinous denial of justice. Further arguments against the death penalty consist of its use against primarily poor offenders, its inconsistent use, and the fact that convicted criminals, even murderers, can reform in prison and be reproductive once again (White, n.d., pg. 2). White uses the example of Stanley "Tookie" Williams to show this is true. Williams, a former gang member and founder, was executed in 2005, but only after he had sincerely reformed of his ways during the prison sentence prior to his execution. He wrote children's books about the dangers of gangs and was nominated for both the Nobel Peace and Literature prizes. Despite protest, the state decided to execute him for his crimes. Advocates of the death penalty would most likely question his conversion or suggest that he still needed to be punished, through death, for the lives he took.
Thus, the death penalty debate contains well-founded arguments on either side, and thse arguments are continually used as the...
Of all the arguments used, however, the one that elicits the most response is the claim that the death penalty is a violation of civil rights. This is because, in Western countries, a person's civil and human rights are their greatest asset, inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by a governing body. Many non-profit organizations and faith groups believe that the death penalty is, indeed, a violation of these rights, and it would certainly seem this way. Most Western countries, such as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Italy, have abolished the death penalty, leaving it a scarlet letter on the statue of liberty. After reviewing both sides of the argument, it is easy to understand advocates' position, but abolitionists make the strongest case. Having the death penalty reduces the United States to nothing more than a partner in crime. While statistics may show that the death penalty deters crime, good education, rehabilitative programs in prison, community service programs, and the involvement of non-profit and faith-based groups in the community can have similar, if not greater effects.
References
Liptak, A. (2007, Nov. 18). "Does Death Penalty Save Lives? A New Debate." Retrieved
May 28, 2009, from the New York Times. Web Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/us/18deter.html
White, D. (n.d.). "Pros & Cons of the Death Penalty." Retrieved May 28, 2009, from About.com. Web Site: http://usliberals.about.com/od/deathpenalty/i/DeathPenalty.htm
The study also made an assessment of the 14 countries who eradicated the capital punishment. Murder went up by 7% from five years prior to the abolition period to five years following the abolition claimed by the study. Besides, researches were conducted by Prof. Issac Erlich from the years 1933 to 1969. He came to the conclusion that "An added execution per year might bring down the number of
I would set aside the death sentences imposed as violative of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments." ("Top 10 Pros and Cons," 2012) This is significant, in showing how the use of the death penalty is considered to be a violation of the basic civil rights that are provided to everyone. Conclusion of why we should abolish The main reason why opponents are arguing that the death penalty should be abolished is
The United States is one of the few industrialized, democratic nations in the world which still permits capital punishment on a state-by-state basis. Not all states have the death penalty but executions are still carried out in the United States and the punishment remains controversial. Despite the singularity of its status internationally, the death penalty has historically been a popular policy in the United States, even though it has been hotly
Death Penalty An issue as divisive as the death penalty has many arguments in its favor and many against it. Sorting through these different arguments to find a reasonable conclusion to either support the death penalty or not can be challenging. In terms of favoring the death penalty, there are two main themes, the deterrence theme and the retribution theme (Gill, 2013). Some pros are: Death penalties act as a deterrent for some Death
Death Penalty This informative speech outline topic DOES THE DEATH PENALTY DETER CRIME? The outline detailed 4 APA references. It follow format detailed referenced. Please outline tornadoes OUTLINE FOR INFORMATIVE SPEECH Tornadoes Purpose: To inform audience tornadoes Thesis: Today I discuss fascinating facts tornadoes. To inform the audience about the two sides of the debate on the death penalty, regarding its justice and its deterrent effect. The death penalty is one of the
However, on the contradicting side, the question is "Can death penalty really deter criminals?." Several studies show it does not. An online source indicates the following evidences. From 1976 to 1996, the number of executions per year in the United States has increased from 0 to just under 60. The homicide rate per 100,000 population has remained constant at just under 10. Criminologists who belong to the American Society of Criminology,