Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment is simply the process of executing someone as a punishment for a specific crime. Crimes that are punishable by death are known as capital crimes or capital offences. These crimes are commonly murder, mass murder, treason, terrorism, crimes against the state, etc… Some of the top countries that still pursue the execution method is China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Since WW11 there has been a motion to abolish the death sentence, but in total 58 countries still retain this punishment. The death penalty is even more costly than just regular life imprisonment. For example, In California more than $4 billion was spent on capital punishment since it was reinstated in 1978. Instead of wasting a countless amount of money towards an inhumane type of punishment, people should thrive to invest it into different areas like education, public safety programs, mental health problems etc… The death penalty can often be argued that capital punishment is used as a bargaining chip, prosecutors need in order to secure life without parole pleas. While this might make sense on its face, a look at the facts shows there is no real evidence for this position. What we do know is that this tactic reveals profound ethical dilemmas as the threat of a death sentence can be used coercively, only increasing the risk of wrongful convictions. Prison sentences these days in which parole is restricted either for a substantial number of years or forever is a growing trend among states today. As a response to violent murders, almost every state, as well as the federal government, now uses a lengthy guaranteed minimum sentence before parole can even be considered. The perception that a murderer convicted of a capital crime will be back on the streets in seven years if not given the death penalty is totally inaccurate.