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Capital punishment has been into practice thousands of years ago since the times of ancient Babylon who stated Hammurabi's role "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, " It was considered the best way not only to prevail justice and take revenge to victim's families, but also to deter murderers from committing crimes and ensure people's security. Things, however, have changed in the last few decades as some people started questioning the effectiveness of capital punishment in declining violence. Moreover, the idea of rehabilitating murderers by giving them a chance to be good has been accepted for many in the western world. These new facts have pushed many western countries to outlaw the practice of capital punishment but still a big controversy is surrounding its suspending. People who are in favour of capital punishment stated that rude punishments would make criminals think twice before killing someone. Dr.
Isaac Ehrlich at the University of Chicago has conducted a research showing that "if the death penalty is used in a consistent way, it may deter as many as eight murders for every execution carried out" (Anderson 4). On the other hand, Anti-capital punishment groups bring into the spotlight its effectiveness in deterring violent crimes. The USA, for example, is the only western nation that allows the death penalty but still it has the highest crime rates. No criminal commits a crime, they claimed, if he believes he will be caught and even if a rude cruel punishment can help in premeditated crimes it is impossible to imagine how the threat of it could prevent a crime that is committed in the heat of the moment when great emotional stress or influence of drugs and alcohol blocks logical thinking.
The second most significant issue is taking revenge which could also be a great factor in spreading out violence. In the past, people have invariably felt that if they had been wronged in some way, it was their right to take vengeance on the person that had wronged them. This mentality still exists but in a lesser form because the law has outlined a person's rights and developed punishments that conform to those rights. But without a suitable punishment for crimes, justice will never truly be served to those that have suffered damages or losses. People will think less and less of the law and start resorting to "Private law and order" this would not only create chaos but raise the crime rate further with people running around on private vendettas. Rehabilitation could also be a point of great debate.
Some believe that punishment was designed to transform criminals into useful members of our society by changing their attitudes and re-training them with an employable skill for use when they are released. In contrast, others think that it is just impossible because hardened heartless criminals will not change and by setting them free their crimes will get even worse especially when they are allowed out early on parole and / or remission. This type of quick release neither adequately equalizes someone's death nor deters others strongly enough from repeating the same offence. There are lots of wild killers kidnapping little girls, raping and killing them in cold-blood. What do we do, slap those on the wrist!
In conclusion, as members of a society, it is our obligation to burden justice upon others. So let the punishment fit the crime and let the individuals who possess the strength and will to take the life of another human being in a planned manner have in turn be able to face their punishment. Privately taking revenge and sending criminals so early again to the society can include a serious threat to people's security which I think outweighs benefits of the rehabilitation of a very few number of criminals.
Free research essays on topics related to: rehabilitation, rude, punishments, capital punishment, death penalty
Research essay sample on Capital Punishment Death Penalty
