In: Psychology
South Carolina has executed 43 inmates since January of 1985. The last execution took place in May of 2011. The method of execution in this state since 1995 has been via lethal injection. However, those sentenced to death prior to 1995 have the option to choose electrocution. The sentencing option of Life in prison without the possibility of parole was passed into law in 1995 as well. Discuss the major issues of capital punishment not only in SC, but throughout the United States. Should capital punishment remain as the ultimate sentence in this state/country? Be specific
Out of the 50 states in America, death penalty is legal in 32
states and illegal in 18 states illegal. South Carolina is one of
the 32 states where death penalty is legal. There two major ways
death penalty is administered, electrocution and lethal injection
which the convicted can choose. Death penalty is awarded to mostly
murderers. There are two different opinions supporting and opposing
death penalty. South Carolina has executed 43 people since 1975. US
is the only Western Country that practices death penalty.
People who oppose death penalty say that not all who are convicted
and executed will be murderers. If future investigation proves that
the executed person is innocent, no one can bring the person back
to life. This possible error is one of the most persuasive argument
against death penalty.
When a person is executed, it doesn't end with that person but the
pain and suffering is transferred to the family members and that
too for lifelong.
Most of the time, it's argues that ethnical minority and poor
people are vulnerable to death penalty as they won't have enough
support to run their case.
People who argue for death penalty
say that it prevents serious crimes out of fear. They also argue
that when serious offenders are eliminated the behavior won't
spread to others.
Another strong argument is that if these criminals are executed,
the state's can save a lot of money and other resources which could
be used for other purposes.
In my point of view, death penalty shouldn't be legal because there
is no severe punishment harder and severe than life time
imprisonment without parole. They could be given opportunity to
work and change themselves inside the prison. In later life they
could be used for other social services.