Some believe the death penalty is a fair form of punishment because one should die for their wrongdoings, however, what goes unnoticed is what happens outside of the media, and the real numbers and facts on the misfortunes of the death penalty. The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is punishment by death for committing a crime such as rape, murder, arson, etc. Methods of capital punishment include lethal Injection (a mix of drugs injected into the person to cause eventual death), electrocution, gas chambers, hangings, and firing squads (Taylor). The death penalty is currently legal in 31 out of 50 states in the United States (Taylor). Although lethal injection is a primary technique for many states that already participate in …show more content…
By doing so, the chances of a person being executed before exoneration (relieved of punishment/released for specific reasons) would be eliminated. Studies from the DPIC, updated in April of 2016, shows that more than 150 people have been exonerated from death row since 1973 (Facts). If the “convicted felon” were to be given life without parole, the chances of the person possibly being executed without further investigation would be erased. In other words, capital punishment is a form of gambling with a person’s life. It could either be wrong or the sentencing could be correct and the person could actually be guilty. Those who are found guilty but are later found innocent should not have payed the price of those who actually committed the crime. Another study done by the DPIC stated that, “From 1973-1999, there was an average of 3 exonerations per year. From 2000-2011, there was an average of 5 exonerations per year.” (Facts). Those are five innocent lives that could have been lost, and five guilty people that never suffered the actual consequences when they were supposed