The Controversial Issue Of Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is defined as the legal authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime. Historically, capital punishment (also known as the death penalty) has been practiced in most societies and has become a controversial issue. The cost of housing death row inmates is considerably high, the varied ways in which an execution is administered and the individual beliefs, whether society has the right to take the life of another no matter the crime that has been committed are raising the question should capital punishment be carried out? Although barbaric in nature, the death penalty is the irreversible denial of civil liberties.

One of the controversial issues plaguing today is recent news and political reports which are stating

While lethal injection is still carried out, the question, what constitutes a humane execution is still at the top of the controversy. On occasion there have been difficulties with the current method of lethal injections. Different reactions to some inmates, causing pain or botched executions, finding a vein can be difficult and in some cases can take up to 30-45 minutes, and the shortage in the drug availability causes a delay in the process which leads many to believe lethal injection should be outlawed like the old inhumane

The best method to prevent a person from doing the crime is to show what the consequences for his actions will be. The death penalty removes a threat from society permanently.

If the criminal is given life imprisonment, all their expenditure is improvised by the government. Instead of spending money on criminals this money can be used for the development of the society and welfare of the people. Lots of people die of hunger; instead of feeding the hungry the government spends money to feed the criminals.

Retributive justice is a theory of justice that considers punishment, if proportionate, to be the best response to crime. The death penalty causes an end to one’s life for a crime severe enough committed that twelve members of society deemed it a fit justice. I understand the cost the taxpayers pay out is high for this individual, and I can agree the methods have been and at times can be barbaric in nature however it is our duty to the victims of the crimes to get justice for them, and it is our duty to enforce consequences for actions that result in a loss of life. Bruce Fein, JD Constitutional Lawyer and General Counsel to the Center for Law and Accountability says “Abolitionists may contend that the death penalty is inherently immoral because governments should never take human life, no matter what the provocation. But