Introduction
Capital punishment remains legal in 38 states and in the Federal government (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003). Capital punishment or the “death penalty” is the most severe punishment that can be inflicted upon a human. This most severe punishment has not been proven to be an effective deterrent. It has no place in the American Justice System which has been touted as the most fair and just system in the world.
Effectiveness of the Death Penalty as a Deterrent
Capital punishment has not been proven effective as a deterrent against violent crimes. A Presidential commission study conducted in 1967 concluded that the death penalty is not a deterrent:
It is impossible to say with certainty whether capital punishment significantly reduces the incidence of heinous crimes. The most complete study on the subject, based on a comparison of homicide rates in capital and non-capital jurisdictions,concluded that there is no discernible correlation between the availability of the death penalty and the homicide rate. This study also revealed that there was no significant difference between the two kinds of States in the safety of policemen. Another study of 27 states indicated that the availability of the death sentence had no effect on the rate of assaults and murders of prison guards. (p. 7)
Since there was no distinguishable difference between jurisdictions with capital punishment and those without capital punishment, it is logical to conclude that presence of capital punishment does not serve as a deterrent of violent crimes.
Mistakes do Happen
Mistakes have been known to happen. Wrongful convictions can and do occur. A death sentence is irreversible – it is a serious and final punishment. Given the seriousness, it is hard to justify the continuation of capital punishment.
The Race Factor
Capital Punishment has been labeled racist by some civil rights groups. The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2003 confirmed a disproportionate amount (in comparison to the general population) of minorities was executed. “Of persons executed in 2003: 41 were white, 20 were black, 3 were Hispanic (all white), 1 American Indian” (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2003).If there is even one grain of truth to the argument that capital punishment is racist – then it is a flawed system that should be outlawed.
Crimes of Passion and the Psychopathic Killer
Murders who act quickly under duress such as in the instance of temporary insanity or of crimes of passion do not take the consequences of their actions into consideration. Psychopathic killers such as most serial killers act are without remorse and also have no consideration of the consequences of their actions. Given the fact that these types of killers do not take the consequences into consideration, it is logical to conclude that the institution of capital punishment would not serve as a deterrent.
Conclusion
It is my position that capital punishment is a flawed system that does not serve as an effective deterrent against violent crimes. There have been studies conducted that support my position such as the Presidential commission study conducted in 1967. The death sentence is serious and not reversible and has no room for mistaken convictions. The system of capital punishment has been flagged as “racist” by many civil rights organizations. It is also my opinion that murderers generally suffer from psychological conditions that prevent them from taking the consequences of their actions into consideration and would not be deterred by any punishment. It is for these reasons that I believe capital punishment should not be legal.
References
U.S. Department of Justice. (2003). Capital Punishment Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cp.htm.
The President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice (1967). The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society. U.S. Government Printing Office.
APA Citation:
Smith, Nathan. M. (2005). Capital Punishment as a Means of Reducing Violent Crime.
Retrieved November 22, 2008, from http://www.computer-forensic-technician.com/wordpress/capital-punishment-as-a-means-of-reducing-violent-crime/.
