The Death Penalty: Pros And Cons Of Capital Punishment

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Recommended: Controversial issue of capital punishment

A majority of American citizens view the death penalty as a morally justified form of punishment for criminals, even though there is growing discontent. Despite it being such an avoidable discussion topic, nearly every American has his own opinion on the matter. The death penalty has an uncanny knack for polarizing even the closest of friends. The inner turmoil that comes with the idea of capital punishment is enough to deter most average Joe 's and even politicians away from facing the truths. Because of this, capital punishment is an important yet untouched subject. The death penalty balances life and death so it mustn 't be ignored.

An argument can be made that capital punishment violates the Eighth Amendment, which states that the government
If one plans to commit murder, or any other crime worthy of deciding one 's life, the punishment of life in prison is already well-known and far more bearable than a nearly instant execution. With an instant execution criminals have to fear death rather than the other possibilities that go along with life in prison - such as escape, retrial and plea bargains. These criminals that end up in prison for the rest of their life are left to carry on the legacy of their horrible deeds. "Life in prison just means the criminal is still around to haunt the victim. A death sentence brings finality to a horrible chapter in the lives of these family members (Messerli)." Perpetrators of abhorrent and loathsome crimes are left to fill the minds of the victims or their families, never letting the pain subside. Katherine Alexander writes in her article "there is support for the death penalty as a means of providing closure for the families of the victims." According to her, too many who are permeated with the thoughts of the terrible things that were done unto them, and their family

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