The Benefits of the Death Penalty in America

Abolishing the death penalty allows criminals to receive an easy way out without recompensing their victim. Thirty one out of the fifty states in America obtain the death penalty (“States with and without the Death Penalty,” 2016). An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth displays the biblical morality in allowing the death penalty for those deserving. Thus translating into the greater meaning of why the death penalty should be used.

In America, civilians are protected by ....for their rights to be protected. Americans live in a country where they should feel safe and the death penalty adheres to the protection of each American. Criminals are more likely to commit crimes if there is no severe punishment for doing so. However, if these murderers were sentenced to an execution or a death sentence they would have more fear and potentially avoid doing any harm to anyone. Ernest van den Haag, a professor at Fordham University, wrote about the issue of deterrence:

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“...capital punishment is likely to deter more than other punishments because people fear death more than anything else. They fear most death deliberately inflicted by law and scheduled by the courts....Hence, the threat of the death penalty may deter some murderers who otherwise might not have been deterred. And surely the death penalty is the only penalty that could deter prisoners already serving a life sentence and tempted to kill a guard, or offenders about to be arrested and facing a life sentence” (Death Penalty Curricula).

A person who has committed a crime is much more likely to have a relapse and become a repeat offender. According to the National Institute of Justice, “Within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested. Within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested. Of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7 percent) were arrested by the end of the first year (“Recidivism,” 2014). Therefore, the death penalty act as a deterrent to potential criminals. It greatly influences those who are ready to commit crimes. Capital punishment is a deterrent for future criminals because the only thing that would keep a criminal from committing a crime would be to execute them, in other words the death penalty. Ultimately, the death penalty is effect and should be abolished in any of the states.

In California, there's one ballot initiative to get rid of the death penalty, and one to speed up the process of executions. Due to the seven hundred and forty one individuals on the list awaiting for execution, eliminating the death penalty would give these criminals freedom and nothing to fear. It is important for the death penalty to be there because it will make America a safer place. Speeding up the process of those on the death row would be more beneficial to Americans due to the fact that their death will be faster than they expect. According to the New York Times, “If Proposition 62 is passed, the strongest punishment available under California law would be life without the possibility of parole. Those on death row would see their sentences commuted to life without parole. Attempts to pass a similar measure in 2012 failed.

Proposition 66 takes a different approach by trying to eliminate the obstacles to carrying out the death penalty and shorten the time between conviction and execution. The provisions of the initiative include a five-year limit on the appeals process. If both measures pass, the one receiving the most votes would prevail” (What Else Is on the Ballot? Minimum Wage, Death Penalty and Guns, 2016). California is facing this debate and speeding up the process of the death row would benefit America the most.

The death penalty is not for a teenager who decided to steal a pack of gum, it is for those who commit serious crimes. A serial killer is in fact a deserving candidate for the death penalty. Serial killers generally murder more than two people and enjoy killing these innocent individuals. People like serial killers deserve to be executed and obtain the fear of going through the death penalty. One of the main purposes of the death penalty is to eliminate those who are worthless to America’s “great” society. Eliminating people who have no value in the country and those who only bring harm is important for the United States to succeed as a whole.

There are people who believe that the death penalty kills innocent people. The Grand Jury does not allow this to happen. It is extremely unusual for an innocent person to be sent for the death penalty. The attorneys find ways to provide proper evidence for that person not to be pleaded guilty. A myriad of trials occur before sentencing anyone to the death penalty, it does not occur the next day that person is accused of their crime. In Texas prisoners have spent close to 25 years on death row before being executed. It takes time because there are multiple steps in the appeals process in death penalty cases. And there are multiple steps because it's the ultimate punishment and there's no room for error (Lewis, 2016). The death penalty is a serious topic that can not endure any sort of mistake. With the precautions that the officials have, the death penalty is not dangerous to any innocent individuals.

In conclusion, there are many factors as to why the death penalty is beneficial to America. There are many pros and cons to the death penalty. However, being able to save the life of innocent people who may be victims of a repeat offender outweighs the cons in this debate that takes place within the Criminal Justice System. Eliminating those who have a purpose in America and who could potentially hurt and kill lives of innocent people should endure the death penalty. They have time to reflect on their crimes while being on the death row and will receive the punishment they are deserving of. Ultimately saving lives is what should be valued most.

Works Cited

1. "States With and Without the Death Penalty." States With and Without the Death Penalty | Death Penalty Information Center. N.p., 9 Nov. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
2. “The Death Penalty Prevents Future Murders: Agree.” Death Penalty Curricula for High School. Michigan State University Comm Tech Lab & Death Penalty Information Center. Web. 15 December 2016.
3. "Recidivism." National Institute of Justice. N.p., 17 June 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.
4. Times, New York. "What Else Is on the Ballot? Minimum Wage, Death Penalty and Guns." The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 Oct. 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

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