What is the purpose of Capital Punishment?

[TheUncanny]

I was going to make this thread about people's opinions regarding the death penalty, but then I got to thinking. Simply asking what people think of the death penalty probably isn't going to produce the most meaningful conversation, and personally I would prefer a well thought out discussion over a lively (yet pointless) argument. So I have decided to change my approach. Instead of just putting my opinion out there so that people can either agree or disagree with me, I felt it would be more beneficial if I were to ask this question instead: What is the purpose of Capital Punishment? I think most of us here would agree that killing a person is a serious matter that deserves serious consideration, regardless of if you are for or against capital punishment. Considering, I felt that this common ground was a good place to start the discussion. I assume that if you advocate the death penalty, you do so because there is a good reason for having it i.e. a purpose or multiple purposes. So what are they, and how is capital punishment justified by those purposes? I’ll start with my opinion. Realistically, I feel that there is no other purpose to capital punishment besides legal revenge. And though I don’t necessarily feel that revenge is never permissible (sometimes revenge and justice parallel each other), I do understand revenge for what it is. However my point is this; Is revenge enough of a reason to have capital punishment even though there are many more reasons to do away with it? By now, you may be wondering the reasoning behind my opinion, such as why I feel captial punishment isn't justice, retribution, a better deterrent, more economical, safer for society, etc. I feel that it would be pointless to preemptively address each argument before such arguments are even made, so I think it would be better if I address each one as they come.

[wasup]

Capital punishment is the process of killing people who kill people to show people that killing people is wrong. Duh.

[TheUncanny]

So, would you say that the purpose of capital punishment is to deter people from killing each other? If so, why advocate the death penalty over life in prison?

[Oneironaught]

Death as result of killing others is the ultimate deterrent. If that doesn't make you think twice then nothing will. The problem is that the death penalty isn't enforced as it should be. When you have people that are of that magnitude of threat to others then they must be dealt with or you continually clean up the aftermath. Killing killers isn't about legal revenge. It's about demonstrating that with ultimate wrongs comes ultimate penalties. The punishment must fit the crime. This concludes my opening statement, Your Honor.

[TheUncanny]

Death as result of killing others is the ultimate deterrent. Statistics overwhelimingly show no change in murder rates in states which go from allowing the death penality to not allowing it, and vice versa. When you have people that are of that magnitude of threat to others then they must be dealt with or you continually clean up the aftermath. Isn't that what prison is for? Killing killers isn't about legal revenge. It's about demonstrating that with ultimate wrongs comes ultimate penalties. The punishment must fit the crime. And yet the ultimate penalty arguably does more harm than good. This topic touches on the general purpose of what we call "punishment". The options I listed above are the only purposes of punishment I can think of off the top of my head. What would you say the purpose of punishment is?

[Oneironaught]

Statistics overwhelimingly show no change in murder rates in states which go from allowing the death penality to not allowing it, and vice versa. Because justice isn't doled out swiftly enough so it's become a running joke. In every case I know of - even when dealing with terrorist heads (Saddam, anyone?) we tend to drag the process on for years and years. Every one knows that all it takes is a smooth lawyer and your chances of evading justice are very probable. Isn't that what prison is for? Why are dogs or gators that have developed blood-lust put to death? Same reason. Once a killer - always a potential killer. Once a cheater - always a potential cheater. When one has the propensity to murder then they are no longer fit for life. Pampering them in custody does not send the right message to society. Instead, it shows a level of tolerance for heinous acts. What about the poster who comes here for the sole purpose of SPAMming the forum? Should they be allowed chance after chance because - after all - they might change? (I just had a horrible vision of my own actions around here, minus the SPAM aspect. I really to need to be nicer). No, they need to be banned. And yet the ultimate penalty arguably does more harm than good. Stopping society's most dangerous does far more good than harm. How does ending a killer's life do harm to society? What would you say the purpose of punishment is? Deterrance and to change people's ways. Now, I know you'll counter with the notion that you can rehabilitate a killer. Just like some think you can change the heart of a child molester. But, is the risk to others worth taking the slim chance that one might have a epiphany? Even if yes, what gives them the right to life after willing denying some one else that right? An overwhelming majority of people who spend time in jail/prison end up repeating their crime, many times on a larger scale. As I point out on a regular basis, personal responsibility is where it's at. If you can't handle the consequence than you'd better think twice about earning and/or deserving it.

[wasup]

So, would you say that the purpose of capital punishment is to deter people from killing each other? If so, why advocate the death penalty over life in prison? It was a joke. Basically I was showing how illogical the death penalty is. Death as result of killing others is the ultimate deterrent. Two problems with this. One, as Ethen says... Statistics overwhelimingly show no change in murder rates in states which go from allowing the death penality to not allowing it, and vice versa. If this isn't a good enough rebuttal, then consider this: I, as many others, would probably rather be put to death than be locked in prison my entire life being anal raped by a large black man and being someone's proverbial bitch. Here's a quote for you... "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."

[Moonscape]

There is a correlation between the elimination of the death penalty and an increase in the murder rate.

[Michael]

I voted revenge and justice. It can be revenge if a person kills one person or so and that person actually changes their way of thinking in prison. I mean, they regret it and have remorse, and would never do it again. In this case, maybe the chance of parole is ok after 25 years. But thats up to the justice system and the victims family to keep testifying against the murderer. It can be justice for people that will never change their minds and would always kill again when given the chance. these people do deserve to die, and thats why they do. you also got to remember, someone innocent lost their life during this for no reason, and the family suffers... so I dont really feel sorry for anyone given the death penalty, even if they have changed.

[Oneironaught]

It can be revenge if a person kills one person or so and that person actually changes their way of thinking in prison. I mean, they regret it and have remorse, and would never do it again. I don't buy the whole "change of heart" argument. Too many people conveniently "find God" suddenly when imprisoned. Remember, the idea isn't only to squelch potential repeat offenses. The real purpose of the death penalty is to prevent first-time offenses. But deterrence only works if justice is served swiftly and harshly.

[Lord Toaster]

I completely disagree with the death penalty. I think that a good way to lower the murder rates would be to not allow citizens to carry guns. People say that they need them to defend themselves... but from what? More people with guns. Bleh. If someone is remorseful and regrets what they've done, then they don't deserve death. Just lock them away for life, which usually means 20-30 years. One action will have cost them almost half their life. I think that's enough.

[TheUncanny]

I voted revenge and justice. It can be revenge if a person kills one person or so and that person actually changes their way of thinking in prison. I mean, they regret it and have remorse, and would never do it again. In this case, maybe the chance of parole is ok after 25 years. But thats up to the justice system and the victims family to keep testifying against the murderer. I mean life in prison without parole. It can be justice for people that will never change their minds and would always kill again when given the chance. Not if they can't get out of prison and/or are in solitary confinement. The only thing that capital punishment seems to accomplish that life in prison (without parole) doesn't is killing the criminal...and thats it. you also got to remember, someone innocent lost their life during this for no reason, and the family suffers... so I dont really feel sorry for anyone given the death penalty, even if they have changed. True, but doesn't the family of the executed murderer suffer as well? Isn't justice about "righting" what has been wronged? Its very similar to the notion of retribution. Basically, this notion suggests that when a crime has been committed, a sort of "debt" is created. According to retribution, the only way to "correct" this is by restoring the debt back to a state of equilibrium. However, this method cannot be used to justify captial punishment because killing the murderer doesn't restore the life of the victim. And simply because the murderer dies doesn't mean the debt is satisfied. Look at it this way. Imagine someone owes you $1000. The death penalty would be on par with some third party comming along, taking $1000 away from that person, and burning it. Yeah, the person who owes you money is out 1000 bucks, but the debt is still there. The only point of doing something like this is revenge, plain and simple. I don't buy the whole "change of heart" argument. Too many people conveniently "find God" suddenly when imprisoned. I never intended parole to be part of the equation. I only meant to compare life in prison (without parole) vs capital punishment.

[timeless petal]

i voted retribution but should have gone with revenge as well. i believe its the ''eye for an eye'' principle. i reckon death penalty for murder is just but not for something like drug trafficking

[Aldrich]

Coming from a family full of cops and correction officers, I’ve heard a ton of opinions regarding the death penalty. As you can probably guess, most of my family is for it but I’m not so much. I think death is the easy way out for people who do these hideous acts, if someone murdered someone I loved, I’d rather them suffer in prison for the rest of their lives, enduring all the torturous things in there rather then getting off without any real punishment (Just in MY opinion). As for the purpose, my criminal justice professor said that in his opinion, it’s simply revenge. I’d probably agree with that, too. Especially how the death penalty really doesn’t do any productive things in the process besides a victims loved ones feeling better, possibly. Sorry if what I said has been restated a few times already, just skipping through the topic.

[Universal Mind]

As for the purpose, my criminal justice professor said that in his opinion, it’s simply revenge. I’d probably agree with that, too. Especially how the death penalty really doesn’t do any productive things in the process besides a victims loved ones feeling better, possibly. Your professor is wrong. He left out a few things. The death penalty guarantees that the perpetrator will never perpetrate again. It also makes the idea of committing capital crimes scarier than otherwise, thereby lessening the tendency. Now that I think about it, it also guarantees that the scum will not reproduce.

[Michael]

Coming from a family full of cops and correction officers, I’ve heard a ton of opinions regarding the death penalty. As you can probably guess, most of my family is for it but I’m not so much. I think death is the easy way out for people who do these hideous acts, if someone murdered someone I loved, I’d rather them suffer in prison for the rest of their lives, enduring all the torturous things in there rather then getting off without any real punishment (Just in MY opinion). I agree, I would rather them rot in prison until they die, over the death penalty. But, prisons are too over-populated for that, so it's nice for some of the useless people to be executed.

[Mystic7]

Capital punishment in an ideal civilization is seen as an extreme measure in dangerous situations. It may be needed for a sick society as a temporary solution to the mentally deranged and dangerous. When things are under control such a thing is easily eliminated and not needed. It is only needed when you get into a really cancerous situation where it's getting out of control. Even then such a thing is so easy to exploit by the very people that it should be used on in those cases. The problem is the cancer, which is the mentally disturbed, can still grow and be smarter than an entire bunch of balanced people fighting the cancer. So the disturbed elite diseased person in the group still manages to convince and exploit this strategy at the expense of everyone else unless they are educated properly enough to understand the exploitation. example "we need better capital punishment to solve crime and eliminate terrorists" - (exploitation of strategy but in rare cases may be needed) "Capital punishment is a reaction to danger and not a means to solve any problem only balance things under self defense saving us from further damage" (correct logic but also can be exploited) "without capital punishment things will get even worse" (exploitation of strategy but also can be used correctly) "Capital punishment is a weapon against tyranny and can only be effective when used as self defense." (correct logic)