The Death Penalty

The death penalty has been a part of the American justice system for as long as it has been around. Even before America was what it is today, before it had a Constitution or Declaration of Independence, before it was its own country; the death penalty was a punishment in some way, shape, or form. The death penalty has been strongly debated for many years not only in America but throughout the world. The death penalty has been declining in America, as it should until it is ultimately gone from the American justice system. The death penalty is costing America and it is an easy way out for convicted criminals.

In California, it is costing the state roughly one hundred and thirty seven million each year for death row inmates. (deathpenaltyinfo.org) a recent study estimates that Maryland taxpayers are forking out roughly three million dollars per death penalty. (deathpenaltyinfo.org) and since 1983, New Jersey has been throwing away two hundred and fifty three million dollars in tax dollars because of the death penalty. (deathpenaltyinfo.org) why would anyone in their right mind throw away all these valuable tax dollars on the death of a criminal? Yes, criminals are dangerous; and yes they should not be in society; but why spend that much just to exterminate them? Wouldn't it be more productive to send those resourcable tax dollars elsewhere to say, education, healthcare, food stamps, just to name a few sources that lack tax dollars so frequently? If we ceased to spend this money we could potentially begin to improve our economy. With a good economy come more jobs. With more jobs comes a lower unemployment rate. With a lower unemployment rate comes a drop in one of the leading causes of crimes in the United States. See where this is going? It is a cycle, and voters have the opportunity to stop it. The question remains, where would these criminals go without the death penalty? The new incentive is life in prison, which is much harder than receiving the death penalty.

The death penalty is an easy punishment for criminals. Granted losing your life is a scary idea, but once you're dead; you're dead! There are no more consequences or punishments. It's a one shot deal with the death penalty. Life in prison is a much better choice than the death penalty. Life in prison doesn't mean what it used to mean. It used to be a few decades in prison and the potential of getting out on good behavior. (NPR) Now its means no chance of ever getting out and anybody who's been to prison knows; prison's a horrible place. According to one man's story, the worst part of life in prison is the separation from your family. "Worst of all, we are away from our families and friends for years at a time, sometimes decades. We don't get to be with them for special occasions like birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're left in limbo, seemingly forever." (Jay B. Van) Not to mention terrible food, terrible living conditions, and the realization you will never get out. It's no day at grandma's house. The death penalty just ends the criminal's life and gives them no real punishment. Life in prison is a much better punishment for criminals.