The United States' Execution System

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Capital punishment has been used as a form of punishment for various crimes dating back to as early as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon codifying the death penalty for 25 different crimes. These executions were carried out in forms of crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement (“History of the Death Penalty”). In a more moral, humane country, the United States of America, we have come to much more reasonable forms of punishment. Nevertheless, this sentence is still carried out and reserved for the worst labeled form of crime, murder. Capital punishment should be out lawed in the United States of America because it violates the constitution, it is compiled of flaws making the process assisting in creating this inhumane process, and does not help control crime, lower crime rates, and hurt the economy.
The eighth amendment states that in America, cruel or unusual forms of punishment shall not be placed on any person. Any punishment declared disproportionately harsh will be overturned on appeal (“8th+Amendment”). The main question is, what is considered inhumane or cruel? This topic brings controversy because these ideas tend to be more of an opinion. The U.S. Supreme Court explains criminal sentences that are inhuman, outrageous, or shocking to the social conscience are cruel and unusual. Though this law was set specifically towards ancient forms of execution, it is also noted this is to prevent any punishment resulting in a lingering death (“8th+Amendment”). Many unaware of the complete execution systems available in America may be unaware this amendment outlaws our punishment form. Lethal injection is considered a more humane form of the death sentencing used in Americ...

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