Pro Capital Punishment The first recorded execution was in 1608 (Fridell). This form of punishment has been around for many years and should continue to be used based on its effectiveness. It has its perks and it’s downfalls, but needs to be put in place to keep order in our society. If it wasn’t for the death penalty I believe our most violent individuals would stop at nothing to commit these outrageous crimes. Individuals are afraid of dying, but not everyone is afraid of prison. The usage of the death penalty decreases the crime rate, provides safety to society, and provides closure to the families involved. The first key element to look at is deterrence. The death penalty defers individuals from committing acts of violence that are punishable by death. One may say that if they are violent individuals they are not going to worry about being put to death. I beg to differ; there were only six executions that were charged in 1966-1980 and the murder rate doubled from 5.6 to 10.2 per 100,000 people. In 1998 execution rates reached an all time high of ninety-eight in the United States. The following year there was a significant drop in this statistic showing a 5.7 murder rate. (Pearce) This form of punishment instills fear in those who are thinking of committing a crime that may put them on death row. This information provides a basis for why the death penalty should still be used because there is a clear indicator that the murder rates have decreased and the outside world has become safer. The next element that has a significant factor with capital punishment is Safety.
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Safety is one of the bases for society to function and thrive in an orderly manner. It provides individuals with a sense of peace and justice. Capital punishment doesn’t only make it safer for the guards but the inmates too. You always hear stories of inmates being stabbed and shanked. If a criminal has the urge to always kill, like these mass murders do then how are they going to control it in prison? You will not be able to control it, you can isolate them for so long but that just gives them time to think of a way to commit these serious crimes while in prison. If the death penalty was in place guards and inmates would not always have to fear for their lives. The usage of the death penalty helps ensure this safety to prisoners. Crime interferes with this sense of wellbeing and is why these violent individuals must be punished appropriately. The third and final element that comes into factor is closure for the families. If a criminal that doesn’t have any remorse for what they just did would you want him to still murdered your child have a chance to impact your life more. The story of Charles Manson with a reporter named Mary Neiswender that he was talking and writing letters to shows it all. Manson wanted to show just how much pull he had even from behind bars. He sent a follower of his to Neiswender’s house when her son answered the door, the follower did not hurt the child but asked for a book of matches and left. Neiswender lived in a gated community making it tough for visitors to get in. This does not sound terrible, but just this man could have
Safety is one of the bases for society to function and thrive in an orderly manner. It provides individuals with a sense of peace and justice. Capital punishment doesn’t only make it safer for the guards but the inmates too. You always hear stories of inmates being stabbed and shanked. If a criminal has the urge to always kill, like these mass murders do then how are they going to control it in prison? You will not be able to control it, you can isolate them for so long but that just gives them time to think of a way to commit these serious crimes while in prison. If the death penalty was in place guards and inmates would not always have to fear for their lives. The usage of the death penalty helps ensure this safety to prisoners. Crime interferes with this sense of wellbeing and is why these violent individuals must be punished appropriately. The third and final element that comes into factor is closure for the families. If a criminal that doesn’t have any remorse for what they just did would you want him to still murdered your child have a chance to impact your life more. The story of Charles Manson with a reporter named Mary Neiswender that he was talking and writing letters to shows it all. Manson wanted to show just how much pull he had even from behind bars. He sent a follower of his to Neiswender’s house when her son answered the door, the follower did not hurt the child but asked for a book of matches and left. Neiswender lived in a gated community making it tough for visitors to get in. This does not sound terrible, but just this man could have