Arguments for/against death penalty
For:
1. Punishment should fit the crime
2. Some people are beyond rehabilitation
3. Deters crime
4. Less costly to execute than incarceration for life
Against:
1. Capital Punishment is a state-sanctioned murder
2. Two wrongs don't make a right
3. May execute someone who may actually be innocent
4. Doesn't Deter crime
5. Less costly to incarcerate for life than to actually carry out a death sentence
For me, number 3 of the against argument is the deciding factor. With techology being improved upon constantly (particularly in the area of DNA evidence...latest example being the case of Joan Benet), I think it's important that we keep the door "open". Until the day we can say with 100% confidence that we, as a nation, have never executed an innocent person, I can't support closing the door on a convicted person. I do strongly support life without chance for parole.
Regarding the economics of incarceration for life vs execution, I think it's a "wash" based on the figures I've seen. With the various appeals, etc. I think the cost to carry out an execution is around $2 million. The annual cost to keep a person in jail runs around $25,000/year...$2 million at that rate is 80 years...
What say you?
|
1992
Linear Mode
