Why do we believe the death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crime? According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Over 3000 inmates reside on death row in the United States in 38 states. Since 1976, there have been 1026 executions for an average 34 per year. Additionally, since 1973, there have been 123 inmates released from death row after being proved innocent. The average time an inmate spends on death row is 11 years. The cost to the taxpayer to prosecute, sentence, and house these inmates is millions per year.
The average number of people murdered in America per year is 20,000 of which there are 10,000 convections, 200 receiving the death penalty. These are astronomical numbers indicating a very real problem exists. Only ½ of all murders are solved or convictions are obtained. 5% receive the death penalty! Alright, I’m sold, the death penalty is definitely not a deterrent to capital crime.
Then what is a deterrent? The average 11 years on death row before being executed is not a deterrent. If anything, it gains sympathy for the poor murderer. The longer they spend on death row, the shorter the memory. We forget the horror, pain and suffering inflicted on the victim, that their civil rights suffered the ultimate violation, that what was perpetrated onto them was cruel and unusual punishment, that they haven’t had 11 years to dwell on what happened, they can’t complain about the injustice experienced, or defend their right to live.
The murderer sits in prison and complains about how hard he has it and how harsh and cruel is his life. Always proclaiming his innocence. Infrequently showing any remorse for his crime. Advocate’s against the death penalty are partial to the following statement:
Vindication for victims and closure for victims' families are often held out as primary reasons for supporting the death penalty. However, many people believe that another killing would not bring closure and that the death penalty is a disservice to victims.
I believe prolonging life when a death sentence is handed down, really is a disservice to the victim, and will not bring closure to the family until justice is served.
In my opinion, it may be cruel and inhumane treatment of the murderer condemned to death to be subjected to 23 hours a day in confinement for anywhere from 8 to 20 years awaiting execution. Not that I personally have any sympathy, with DNA, there is no reason for anyone to be on death row for years, if they can be proved to be innocent, or for them not to be executed in a timely manner if proved to be guilty.
The numbers speak for themselves. The death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crime because of the length of time it takes to execute a murderer in this country. Once convicted, one appeal, then execute within 30days would probably be a deterrent.
Maintaining these people on death row for years is an unnecessary burden on society. The cost alone to house, feed, medicate, and all the free amenities they enjoy is astronomical. Why is it, we treat these criminals better than we do the thousands of homeless and those living in poverty?
The answer lies in the free legal service they are provided to ensure their lot in life and rights are not infringed. The frivolous lawsuits that tie up our court system are ludicrous. As far as I am concerned, they gave up their rights when they committed the crime. They should not be living better than anyone else in this society. Take away the televisions, the weight rooms, conjugal visits, and make prison a real hell---then, you will have a deterrent to crime.
The media does a lot to show life behind bars, and show how these criminals suffer. They do interviews and the inmate is always innocent or complains about being on death row and how the state does not have the right to take their life. How much remorse do they demonstrate is evident in many last statements made by executed murderers:
love my family. You all stay strong. Watch over each other. Stay strong. I love you. I love you. It's my hour. It's my hour. I love you. Stay strong.
Yes. I would like to thank all my friends and supporters, Anne West, who I love and respect. Gabrielle Uhl from Germany, and so many countless other friends. And of course my family, my mother and father, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, my wife Barbara and my children - Nadia, Amenia, Kira, and Noemi. I love my children. I love my family. That's it.
Yes. I want to thank you all for being here and for your love and support. And thanks for the efforts, Peter and Lorrell. I love you all. Celina, I love you. I'm done.
Yes sir. Darling Kerstin, these last few years have been blessed having you in my life. And to all my friends that have been out there, thank you for your friendship and support and all you have done for me. The guys back there waiting, keep the faith and stay strong and put your faith in the Lord. Many times in life we take the wrong road and there are consequences for everything. Mistakes are made, but with God all things are possible. So put your faith and trust in Him. We talk about a reprieve or stay from the Supreme Court, but the real Supreme Court you must face up there and not down here. Keep your heads up and stay strong. I love you all. That is it. Stay strong. Thank you.
Yes. Man, I just want you to know how much I love them. I want you to be strong and get through this time. Do not fall back. Keep going forward. Don't let this hinder you. Let everybody know I love them (several names listed), Kevin - as well as everyone else in the family. Tell them that I love them and stay strong. This is kind of hard to put words together; I am nervous and it is hard to put my thoughts together. Sometimes you don't know what to say; I hope these words give you comfort. I don't know what to say. I want you to know I love you; just stay strong and don't give up. Let everybody know I love them...and love is unconditional, as Mama has always told us. I may be gone in the flesh, but I am always with you in spirit. I love you.
These are a few from prisoners executed since January 2006. Do you think the family of the victim(s) received closure by the death of any of these men?
To be fair, there where an equal number who did address the victims family and ask forgiveness and their were a few who claimed their innocence.
The death penalty controversy will not be easily settled. There has to be an answer. It probably will not be found in the current penal system. When inmates can control criminal activity from prison, freely obtain drugs, and can commit murder inside prison this may be an indicator that the rats are running the ship.
The only way I see change, is when the majority gets so fed up, they finally act, and make the changes necessary, making it worse to commit the crime than it is to not commit the crime.
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We just had an escape
We just had an escape from a alleged trustee unit less than a mile from where we live. My husband worked law enforcement and it just galls me they do this. The most famous death row escape was in 1984 and then that fall another escape from Virginia. -
I believe.
I believe that the death penalty should be applied to those cases where the person being executed is beyond salvage. The death penalty at least keeps that killer from killing one of your children. Has anyone ever asked the relatives how they feel? I had a brother-in-law murdered during the period of time that the death penalty was banned in Virginia. Did it make us feel better? No and it never will.
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