Death Penalty

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorCollege, Undergraduate April 2001

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When an individual commits a treacherous crime, one must go beyond blaming the convict. Punishment is necessary. Depending on the degree of immorality of the crime committed, an appropriate punishment comes to mind, but it remains a moral issue. One may ask if two wrongs make a right or what exactly does killing a criminal accomplish. However, if a repeated offender keeps committing horrendous crime, then why would he be permitted to be incorporated in prison society where they may danger less heinous inmates. Capital punishment is not necessary. Everyone deserves second chance and no matter what, killing people is morally wrong.

Many criminals are not thought to possibly commit another immoral offence, but expected to. By implement the death penalty, the justice system is screening these type of individuals from reentering society. This prevents future incidents that will produce more unnecessary victims. ¡°punishment is an evil. It may involve corporal punishment, loss of rights or freedom, or even loss of life.

These things we normally condemn as immoral¡± (Reiman, 5). However, in war there is a similar tactic called a preemptive strike. This is when one army has substantial evidence that the enemy will be attacking in the near future, so they strategically attack before the enemy preventing the enemy from attacking. Similarly, capital punishment prevents the repeat offender from attacking their victim. Although the victim is unknown there is substantial evidence that if a repeat heinous criminal is released into public there will be another victim. Thus, the death penalty is implemented not to murderers, but to save innocent lives from easily preventable deaths.

Another view may be taken on the issue. That is a view of pro-life. A loss of human life is immoral if done deliberately, whether or not if it is part of the law.