Introduction
Capital punishment is a judicial death punishment for people convicted of committing heinous crimes. The use of capital punishment all over the world varies from one country to another, although it is being removed gradually from the current constitutions of various countries because it is considered as an inhuman form of punishment.
Capital punishment raises a lot of controversy world wide on whether to continue using it or not. If yes, what type of punishment and on what category of crimes?
Proponents
Proponents of capital punishment argue that, the only way to punish heinous criminals is by capital punishment because life imprisonment is not an effective way of punishing and warning potential criminals against committing terrible crimes. Hence, capital punishment is not only a punishment to criminals but also a warning to prospective criminals from committing heinous crimes.
Capital punishment supporters also argue that it is the cheapest way of eliminating horrific criminals from the society as compared to life imprisonment that needs tight security and much worry of possible escape of the criminal back into the society and repeat the same crimes.
They also say that elimination of the criminals will stop them from haunting the families and friends of the victims. Proponents further argue that there are just and humane ways of executing capital punishment without torturing the criminal.
Opponents
The opponents of capital of capital punishment argue that it is not a just and humane way of punishing heinous criminals in the society because everybody has right to life.
They also say that, since there is no standard definition of heinous crimes, there are high possibilities to execute innocent people or misuse execution in revenge to suite personal interests.
Another argument in opposition to capital punishment is the lack of a standard in judicial procedures worldwide in determining what constitutes heinous crimes and what form of capital punishment is acceptable.
For instance, in the Middle Eastern countries, homosexuality and unfaithfulness of a woman to a spouse is considered as crimes punishable by stoning while in United States homosexuals and prostitutes have their rights protected.
Discussion
Capital punishment should be allowed in punishing heinous criminals so that they pay the price of their actions and further convey a strong warning to other potential criminals. However, several questions remain unanswered; what constitutes heinous crime? What strategies are used in convicting suspects? In addition, what is the form of capital punishment?
The capital punishment simply implies death punishment, which means it is possible to arrest, convict, and execute innocent suspects for subjective reasons. There must be clear and standard definition of what constitutes heinous crimes or crimes that are punishable by death penalty.
The judicial system must have structures of vetting innocent suspects and standard form of capital punishment applicable worldwide to avoid subjective and stereotype forms of punishment that are inhuman.
Conclusion
Capital punishment is the effective punishment to horrific criminals who are there to destroy our societies. Capital punishment does not only punish the criminal but also gives the right impression to fellow criminals or prospective criminal of the imminent punishment awaiting them.
This warning will give them an opportunity to change their life styles while still free since they have no second chance to reform. Unlike life imprisonment where criminals finds the opportunity of reforming but remain ruthless while still free.