An Argument Against Death Penalty in Canada
The death penalty, also referred to as capital punishment, has been abolished in Canada but still exists in a few American states. I disagree with the death penalty for several reasons. My first reason is I find it extremely inhumane to take someone s life in order to demonstrate the power of the law. Another reason for my disapproval of the death penalty is the amount of money that it takes to put someone to death, as it would cost the same to keep an inmate in jail for life. My third and final reason, is the guilty conscience that is placed on everyone that must be involved with the execution.
In the early days societies were based on a simple code of law “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Today, now that our society has become more advanced, we don t function by this ancient code of punishment. For example,we do not rape the rapist s daughter, we don t kidnap the kidnapper s children, so why would we want to lower ourselves to the level of the killer and kill the killer. Society by now must realize that two wrongs certainly do not make a right.
Some thought that if we do execute the killer, it will deter others from committing such a terrible crime. However, murder rates in Canada have remained the same and there is no significant difference when comparisons are made of those States who still have the death penalty. Prior to putting someone to death, the accused criminal s lawyer will attempt several appeals to the courts in order to lengthen the amount of time he has to live. These appeals take up an abundance of court time and cost the public millions of dollars. With the cost of these appeals, it would cost the same amount to keep the same inmate in jail for a life term.
Would it not be better for the inmate to maybe get an education or be given the chance to rehabilitate, rather than be strapped to a chair and killed? I personally would rather see the inmate suffer in prison and have nothing to look forward to rather than letting the government put the criminal out of their misery. To sentence someone to death takes one trial but to actually get someone executed could take a dozen trials. The question must be asked, why do we bother with this lengthy and costly process when we could sentence people to life in prison, at the same cost?
Another issue is what if a person has been convicted and sentenced to death, and later new evidence comes out of nowhere that proves the convict is actually innocent of all charges. How do you pay back this poor person s family? The death penalty is so final, and it cannot bring a life back, no matter what the circumstances are. In conclusion, I feel that the death penalty should be abolished in the states that are currently using it.
It is a inhumane form of punishment and has a very costly appeals process attached to it. Also carrying out the killing of someone leaves xtremely deep emotional scars that do not go away overnight. People who witness the killing are probably scarred for life, plagued with nightmares and they will never forget the face on the accused as he was receiving his punishment. By taking someone s life, you too have become a “killer” no matter what the circumstances. I simply believe it isn t right.
