Literature Review
← Executive Summary | Learning Journal of POCT → |
Capital punishment is a scenario where by a human being is lawfully inflicted with death to punish his or her wrong doings. Historically, even in the bible, death penalty is prescribed for those individual who commit very serious crimes such as killing others, witchcraft as well as kidnapping. It is worth noting that in the wake of 15th century, England allowed capital punishment for certain kind of very serious offenses such as assassination, rape, sedition, aggravated burglary, and arson.
‘Waltham Black Acts’ of 1723 that was endorsed by parliament saw to it that there was a tremendous increase in those individuals that were lawfully executed. Between 1740 and 1839 almost 9,000 persons were killed in England and Wales. Similarly, a country like Portugal had a record of almost 250 people being executed annually through capital punishment. Generally speaking, huge number of human population lost their lives thanks to this monster called capital punishment (CapitalpunishmentUK, 2).
Capital punishment has been used by many countries in the entire globe. By 2008 58 countries retained this kind of punishment. Statistics show that china is leading in number of person executed; in 2008 1,718 people were murdered. Other includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan executing 346, 112, 105 and 37 individuals in that order in 2008.
Efforts to reform the issue of capital punishment began in 1750. The arguments against it were that it was a cruel way of dealing with crime and the only suitable and viable alternative is life imprisonment. A hundred years down the line, the fruits of the efforts. Among the first country to do away with capital punishment are Venezuela and Portugal (CapitalpunishmentUK, 4). The state of Michigan was the first to abolish it in U.S.A in 1847. Most of the western European countries have done a way with capital punishment. England did the same in 1965. Most of these country abolished capital punishment either by statute or by amending the constitution.
It is worth noting that a number of countries especially in Africa, Middle East, Japan, U.S.A and China do practice capital punishment but in different degree and frequencies. A study carried out in 1970 by Erskine seeks public opinion on capital punishment. The survey revealed that people perception about capital punishment has changed drastically. Between the years 1936 and 1966, the support for the punishment declined from 62% to 42%. In 1969, the support went up to 51%, this attributed to the call for law and order.
Objectives of capital punishment
According to O’Toole 7 the infliction of death as a way to punish offenders so to speak was brought forth having in mind that it will do the following; to severely punish those individuals that commit crimes such as murder, arson and many more that are categorized as being very serious offenses, to make others not think of committing such kinds of crimes; in this regard, it was assumed that when potential offenders could see their colleagues being executed, they will note lay their hands on any sort of crime that warrants death punishment. Finally, the last objective of capital punishment was that it will help do away with those deemed to be criminal thus creating a society that is secured and safe.
Ethics of capital punishment
There are mixed reaction about the whole issue. Religion has at the same time supported and opposed this kind of punishment. On the other hand, various cultural backgrounds in contrast with religion have strongly argued against capital punishment. It has been brought forth that media has played a major role in trying to manipulate the sentiments of the general public.
Cost of capital punishment
Although capital punishment has been deemed to carry with it some advantages, on the other hand, it carry with it very serious consequences. Among the pros of capital punishment are; it helps protect the innocent and recurrent of the offense, it helps the nation also save money, it is also deemed that it will help discourage other potential criminal to commit such crimes as murder (Erskine 300), additionally it can provide some bit of closure to the family of the offenders victims and lastly it is supported by various theological arguments.
Nonetheless, the serious and adverse cost or price tag associated with it needs to be brought to light so that any decision to either abolish or continue with it should be made from facts. In fact the cost of capital punishment is what has guided the campaigns against it.
In America, this sort of punishment was no longer popular because it was viewed as a means to discriminate against those ho are poor and less popular in the society. Additionally, it was also seen as a brutal manner claiming that it helps deter crime. Similarly, the nature with which it was being carried out, in the eyes of the public was thought to have very serious negative implications (O'Toole 2). For instance, when individuals could see people being executed, they are compelled to acquire some sort of violence in the act (Erskine 291).
It has been observed by various scholars as well as anti-capital punishment that lawful execution of offenders has resulted to secure conviction very challenging and difficult resulting to release of obvious culpable offenders.
Another problem associated with capital punishment is the psychological trauma the family of the person convicted undergoes. It is just hell on earth for innocent friends and relatives of the offender undergoes during the entire process from of conviction to execution (CapitalpunishmentUK, 9). It is usually unimaginable how the relative will ‘accept’ that one of their own has committed such a serious crime and more so traumatizing to loss a loved one through such a brutal manner no matter how governments try to convince us that they use humane methods.
Although it is argued that capital punishment is less costly in terms of dollars than life imprisonment, indeed the reverse is true. For instance in countries such as U.S.A where the appeal process is long, it will in fact cost the government hundreds of dollars for a single offender, such monies could be used elsewhere (Mackey 33).
It is worth noting that capital punishment do not give the offenders a second chance to redeem themselves especially if the offense was not that serious. It is worth noting that change is inevitable and even murderers can have a new leaf of their lives if given a chance. On the same note O’Toole holds that violence cannot produce reform to offenders. It is noted that it does not change character nor elevate once moral, on the contrary, it aggravates antagonism (O'Toole 1).
Additionally, it has been brought forth that capital punishment has not proved to have achieved its initial objective; that of deterring serious offenses such as murder, rape, arson among others. If indeed the fear of death could be yielding positive results in cutting down the cases of murder and other serious related crime, then the same crimes could have ceased long time ago. Since this has not been the case, there is thus needed to come up with other means of addressing the issue (CapitalpunishmentUK, 9).
Conclusion
From the review of the costs of capital punishment, we are left with a choice either to adopt these costs and incorporate them in decision making or leave it and continue with capital punishment that will ensure that human race will continue to live in misery of the same. Similarly it is upon us to decide to do away with capital punishment and continue to experience the raising rates of serious crime. In my opinion, I believe incorporating the issues raised here in are paramount in coming up with sound and rational decision about capital punishment.
- Learning Journal of POCT
- Critical Review: Research Rationale & Questions
- Executive Summary
- Why Should I be Nice to you
Susan L.
Ashland, OR
|
|
|
The writer who worked on my paper far exceeded what I asked of him. The paper is better than I thought it would be. I got an A+ on it! Thanks! |
Sarah M.
Portland, OR
|
|
|
Today was the perfect day to make an A+! It convinced me that there are solutions to problems that seem impossible to solve. When I realized that the due date for my paper was coming up quickly, I felt like there was nothing I could do. If I didn’t hand in my paper on time, I would get an F and fail the course. However, I had to study for 3 major exams and write two other papers. My roommate suggested that I turn the paper over to you guys, which I did, and voila! I got an A+ on it and the problem was solved. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com and to your writers and staff. You are a great writing service. |
James C.
New Orleans, LA
|
|
|
I am required to do more writing this semester that I possibly have time for. Right after class, I have to go straight to my job. It’s a good thing I have EssaysEmpire.com to help me out with the writing. You guys always do such excellent work. Thanks! |
Jaffar M.
Salt Lake City, UT
|
|
|
My sincere thanks for a job well done. My professor loved my paper and commended me for handing in the one that your writing service helped me with. The paper flowed very well. It was logical and intelligent-sounding. I was very pleased overall. |
Delaine A.
Taos, NM
|
|
|
I had a question about the pricing. As I glanced through the EssaysEmpire.com website, I noticed that they were offering a lot for not all that much money. I spoke to a customer service person and she told me that the prices I saw on the website were accurate. Therefore, I ordered my first paper, not expecting all that much. What I got back was a brilliantly written essay that earned an A+ mark! Wow! I am impressed! |
Marcella M.
Lexington, KY
|
|
|
Dear EssaysEmpire.com, I am very happy with the work that your writers did for me. I was impressed by the plagiarism report, too. Thanks for everything! |
Tom J.
Jackson, MI
|
|
|
Many thanks to your writers and customer service representatives for helping me get through a very difficult time in my college career. I needed writing assistance and your crew came through for me, big time! My papers were written impeccably. Thanks so much! |
Enrico V.
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
I was really happy about the speedy turn around time for my paper. It is rare to find a writing service that can write things so quickly without taking away from their quality. Hats off to EssaysEmpire.com! |
Maddie P.
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
The EssaysEmpire.com website is so great! There are no mysteries to be solved. They give you the full layout about what they have to offer and how much it costs. No surprises. I had a couple of questions about the different options and their customer service rep was so friendly! She answered all my questions. I ordered my first paper and it was so well written that I got an A+ on it! Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com! |
Nancy T.
Little Rock, AR
|
|
|
The quality of the work produced by your professional writers is second to none. No wonder you have the reputation for being the best writing service online! You certainly met up to all of my expectations! You’re the best, for sure. |
Tricia A.
Calabasas, CA
|
|
|
Thanks for everything. I like your writing service a lot. Your staff is friendly and they’re always open. The papers that you’ve written for me have been very good. |
Glen M.
Oakland, CA
|
|
|
Your writers are awesome! I got an A and two A+’s on the papers that they wrote for me! |
Shirley R.
Casper, WY
|
|
|
I would be honored to recommend your writing service to all of my friends. I don’t usually recommend anything unless I truly believe it to be a good thing. EssaysEmpire.com is a good thing! |
Tommy Davids
Singapore, CH
|
|
|
EssaysEmpire.com knows how to do the things that it takes to instill confidence in their customers. They can be counted on every time, to deliver high quality service and high quality writing at prices that we can afford. I would never use any other writing company. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It ain’t broke! |
Sylvia B.
Lakeview, MA
|
|
|
Your writers did an excellent job writing my four papers last semester. I don’t think I could have possibly made it through the semester without any help of EssaysEmpire.com. I deeply appreciate the help |
Greg C.
Atlanta, GA
|
|
|
Your writing service is phenomenal. I love the fact that EssaysEmpire.com is even open on Christmas day. You never close, and that tells me that you are dedicated to students like me who might need help over the holidays or any time. The work you do is superior to that of other writing services. I’d say that overall, one simply can’t beat EssaysEmpire.com. Thanks for all that you do for students like me. |
Beverly S.
Cambridge, MA
|
|
|
I appreciate the help your wring service gave me with my biology paper. I have never cared much for biology. It is a tough subject for me to grasp. This is why I needed so much help with my paper. The writer absolutely understood the whole topic and turned out work that would have made anyone proud. Thanks a million for the great paper. |
Thomas C.
Louisville, KY
|
|
|
I loved the paper that your writers helped me with. They wrote from a very interesting perspective that I had never even considered. My teacher was happy with the work, and so was I. Thank you very much. |
Mark C.
Mexico City, MX
|
|
|
Thanks to EssaysEmpire.com, I was able to keep my GPA up and will be graduating soon. I really needed assistance with my writing. I aced everything else, but I have always had problems expressing myself in writing. The writers at EssaysEmpire.com took the ball and ran with it! Because of them, I am going to graduate. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of the valuable assistance. |
Grace G.
London, UK
|
|
|
I was quite satisfied with the results of my paper order. EssaysEmpire.com sure has some good writers! I thought it might just be some college kids who were writing in their spare time to earn some extra bucks. No! EssaysEmpire.com hires legitimate writers. They all seem to be well educated and intelligent, too. My paper was terrific! |