Crime and punishment.

“The death penalty isn’t a deterrent; it is murder”

Personally I do not agree with the statement. Indeed the death penalty may be murder but it is a deterrent no doubt.

The death penalty has been around for a very long time. In ancient times, people were already being killed for crimes they committed. There were different methods of killing these people, for example, stoning them, beheading or hanging them, but all done in public to serve a purpose; to show the consequences of their crime and to warn the people not to follow in their footsteps. This was further emphasized when their dead bodies are not immediately taken away, but left for a period of time. In present times, this is still being carried out, more modern methods include the electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection. But why has this law stood the test of time, because its purpose still remains, a deterrent.

The death penalty is such an effective deterrent for simple reasons. People fear death; it is in their basic nature to protect themselves and try to live as long as possible, a main survival instinct. This fear of death is very evident, as we feel fear when our life is threatened.

Another reason for the death penalty is to protect the society. The same man that has killed once can kill again if he is release back to society. Keeping him away from society is the best we can do to protect the people. Some may argue that he deserves a second chance, but that cannot be judge, and it would be too risky to put him back only to find him committing the same crime. Others may still argue that we can give him a life sentence and lock him up in prison till he dies. That for one is a waste of tax-payers money, and two, is not much difference from the death sentence. It’s taking away his freedom and then waiting for nature to take him.

But, the death penalty is still murder. It takes the right to live away from the person. The difference between a murderer and an executioner is the badge. One has the law on his side and the other doesn’t. It comes to a question of “is it right for a man’s life to be taken away by the law?” and “if the law should hold such power?” This is one of the grey areas in life, as some consider it a white and while to others it’s black.

It is said that two wrongs don’t make a right. What has been done wrong cannot be undone, is it right for us to further take a man’s life for the cause of his wrong doings? Indeed this is mistake by the law on the way it gives out punishment; it takes away something to punish the person instead of correcting. Removal of freedom, removal of rights all may seem like wrongs to people demanding equal rights for everyone. However even if punishment is a wrong, it is a wrong that is trying to cause a right.