The Death Penalty and Its Effectiveness
The death penalty is also referred to as capital punishment. It the punishment for heinous crimes and criminals that are found guilty are sentenced to death either through the lethal injection or the electric chair (Galvin 5). There have been several debates on whether the death penalty deter the commitment if heinous crimes. Some countries have banished the death penalty, and people who commit heinous crimes are sentenced to life imprisonment. The death penalty can only be considered effective if it deters homicide crimes.<\/p>
Evidence from Criminologists
88% of criminologists do not believe that the death penalty is effective when it comes to deterring crime that is committed within a given state (Study). Very many studies that have been conducted in the past also show that the death penalty does not deter the rate of crimes that are committed in a state. No evidence shows a reduction in the number of crimes committed especially after a criminal has been publicly prosecuted for their heinous crimes. Lack of clear indication in the reduction in the rate of crimes especially homicides in areas that the death penalty is practiced shows that capital punishment is not effective in preventing murders.<\/p>
Safety of Prisoners and Police Officers
Others argue that capital punishment makes it safe for prisoners, prison staff members, and police officers. Keeping serial killers in prison only increases their chances of killing people in prison. Officers that are in states where the death penalty is legal claim that they feel safe when they are handling their duties (Lamperti 5). Police officers in states where the death penalty is illegal also claim that they feel safe while carrying out their duty (Lamperti, 5).<\/p>
Suicide by Homicide
The death penalty is not effective in that it can negatively influence the homicidal rates. There are criminals that have committed homicides in the name of achieving 'suicide by homicide.' Some people who do not have the strength to commit suicide sometimes kill other people so that they end up being sentenced to death (Lamperti, 6).<\/p>
No Evidence of Deterrence
In conclusion, the effectiveness of the death penalty can only be measured by its ability to deter homicides. Capital punishment is not effective when it comes to deterring crimes, especially homicides. There has been no evidence of the death penalty deterring crime at any given time. To some extent, the death penalty might even intrigue people to commit more crimes. Suicide by homicide is one of the cases where people tend to commit murders so that they can get sentenced to death. It mostly happens in cases where the individuals are too scared to commit suicide.<\/p>
Work Cited
Galvin, Anthony. Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2016. Print.
Lamperti, John. Does Capital Punishment Deter Murder? A Brief Look at the Evidence. Dartmouth College.
"Study: 88% Of Criminologists Do Not Believe the Death Penalty Is an Effective Deterrent | Death Penalty Information Center". Deathpenaltyinfo.Org, 2018, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/study-88-criminologists-do-not-believe-death-penalty-effective-deterrent. Accessed 15 Nov 2018.
