Capital punishment or death sentence has been used as a method of enforcing law in many countries around the world for many years. It is used to punish crimes such as violence and murder. Capital punishment has been criticized by its opponents. This has pushed some countries to find alternative methods of punishment such as life imprisonment.
Proponents argue that it should be allowed because it the best form of punishment for certain crimes, and because it discourages individuals from committing crime. However, capital punishment should not be allowed because it violates human rights, it is unfair in case wrong judgment is made, and it does not stop criminals from committing crimes.
Capital punishment is inhuman because it violates the human right to life. Killing an individual for committing a crime is ironical because the punishment teaches the society that killing is bad through killing.
Despite the magnitude of a crime, every person has a right to life. This has elicited heated debates in many countries because most societies define what is humane through their beliefs and religion. Instead of capital punishment, less inhuman punishments such as life imprisonment could be awarded to ensure that the value and integrity of life is preserved.
Capital punishment does not aid in reduction of crime in any way. Research studies conducted in the human behavior field have revealed that crime is motivated by passion.
Criminals do not think about the punishment they would get in case they were apprehended. Therefore, the presence of capital punishment does not reduce crime in any way. Proponents argue that capital punishment reduces crime because of its severity as a form of punishment. It is better to help criminals change their lives by imprisoning them in correctional facilities rather than killing them.
Capital punishment should be abolished because it may lead to the sentencing of an innocent person. In many instances, some criminals were later proven innocent. However, the exoneration came too late. This makes capital punishment unfair, wrong, and unjustified. In addition, some criminals request for a chance to reform and compensate for their crimes in other ways. However, since capital punishment is irreversible, they are denied a chance. They do not get time to ask for forgiveness and make amends with those they wronged.
Capital punishment causes more harm than good because its effects permeate the family of the deceased. In addition, the pain of death could be unbearable to the criminal. The degree of pain depends on the method of execution applied. Either way, it affects the family of the criminal. It may lead to psychological problems if children are involved. Two wrongs do not make a right. Therefore, killing a criminal does not offer a solution to the problems that face the society.
In conclusion, capital punishment is a highly controversial issue in many countries. Proponents argue that it is the best form of punishment for certain crimes such as murder. However, it is wrong and unjustified because it is inhuman, unfair, violates the human right to life, and it does not aid in reduction of crime.
Less severe forms of punishment such as life imprisonment could be awarded instead of capital punishment. It should not be allowed because it violates the human right to life, wrong judgment may lead to death of an innocent individual, and it may affect the family of the criminal in a negative way.