Introduction
It is essential to recognize that crimes demonstrate the ability of people to commit offenses and the need to find ways to prevent them. Accordingly, some view abolishing the death penalty will reduce human suffering, while others believe that the death penalty will triple the prevention of murder (Donohue, 2009). Therefore, it is essential to establish the policy’s origins, focus, purpose, and goals and determine whether the death penalty policy is consistent with them.
Title, Emergence, and Responsible Organization
Significantly, the title of the policy is the death penalty. The U.S. policy of the death penalty was introduced in 1979 to deter people from committing crimes (Donohue, 2009). At the same time, initially, the United States, like other countries, supported the approach that more executions lead to a decrease in crime. However, no sufficient evidence was provided, and later, states began to follow the trend of reducing the death penalty (Donohue, 2009). The U.S. legislature implemented the death penalty policy. Enforcement of this policy usually remains within the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Focus, Purpose, Need, and Goals of the Policy
The policy intends to discourage people from committing such crimes by inspiring fear of severe punishment. The primary purpose of the death penalty is to serve as a deterrent (Berk, 2009). Thus, the goals of the death penalty are to reduce the number of murders and to create a system of security in society. At the same time, the focus of policy is on whether the death penalty, which causes suffering to criminals, justifies its goals.
Another goal of this policy is to provide a sense of justice to victims and their dependents by punishing criminals appropriately. In general, scholars confirm that the policy was introduced to focus on reducing the number of crimes due to fear of punishment (Donohue, 2009).
The main goal that the death penalty policy is intended to achieve is to reduce crime. For example, research shows that in the past, juvenile offenders have not responded to the prospect of significantly more severe sanctions that they will face when they reach adulthood (Donohue, 2009). Therefore, the policy must ensure that the maximum allowable punishment is a crime deterrent.
Compliance of the Policy with the Goals, Purpose, and Need
Whether the death penalty policy achieves its goal or purpose is a matter of debate. Some have argued that the policy is effective in deterring potential criminal offenders from committing crimes, while others have claimed that there is no specific evidence to substantiate this claim (Berk, 2009). Others have also suggested that the policy may not reduce crime cost-effectively (Kovandzic et al., 2009).
This policy’s effectiveness in reducing the number of boys is questionable. Some wrongful convictions result in the execution of innocent people (Donohue, 2009). Thus, this shows that the addressing of the basic need is improper, and the original offenders may not be punished. Kovandzic et al. (2009) helped to refute the claim that the death penalty has a clear deterrence value. The reasoning of this position is explained by the fact that there is no evidence that the death penalty, introduced in the United States in 1979, has any deterrent or disincentive value.
Conclusion
Thus, the policy of the death penalty remains a divisive topic, with claims on both sides. Some argue that it serves as a crime prevention deterrent and provides justice for victims and their families. In contrast, others argue that it is applied arbitrarily, creates a greater risk of executing innocent individuals, and is not a practical solution to reduce crime. It is important to continue exploring the underlying needs behind the policy and consider alternative policies that may better address those needs fairly and equitably.
References
Berk, R. (2009). Can’t tell: Comments on does the death penalty save lives. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(4), 845-851.
Donohue III, J. J. (2009). The impact of the death penalty on murder. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(4), 795-801.
Kovandzic, T. V., Vieraitis, L. M., & Boots, D. P. (2009). Does the death penalty save lives? New evidence from state panel data, 1977 to 2006. Criminology & Public Policy, 8(4), 803-843.