A Civilized Death Penalty Solution
77Capital Punishment or Death Penalty Is Vital To The Evolution of Society!
Welcome reader,
It is my pleasure that you have come to my hub. As you can see, the Death Penalty or Capital Punishment, sentence continues to be attacked by multiple groups. The main purpose behind writing about the "Death Penalty" or Capital Punishment sentence has arisen out of much of what is seen on today's TV/Cable programming, in the courts, handled by the State or Federal prosecutors and worldwide media.It is not to be construed as to be false, because the authorities presently in place are the ones who are really the foolish people who are making things even worse, but do not realize it.
Capital Punishment/Death Penalty
The Death Penalty or Capital Punishment is one of the hottest topics and seems to be dividing the entire citizenry, on different points.
The United States Government has authorized, individual States to use Capital punishment as a sentence for the hard criminals, who commit murder(premeditated and not), serial killers, child rapists, cop killers and even those whose acts are considered treason.
See the deception.....
On an International stand point- America executes criminals for crimes against humanity. This is done for "mass" tyrant killers or rulers of other Nations. This is a policing policy the U.S. has, but is unknown how the U.S. became the police of the world. It was not worth research. There can be no valued learning from researching it. The simple fact that America does it, overall, is not healthy for America, much less other cultures.
The death penalty has been instituted in many individual States, such as California and Texas, as examples. Most States left the decision for implementation of the law to be up to the voters. Thus, meaning the people are to vote on the topic.
Unfortunately, this happens to be, where many different advocate groups and special interest groups, and lobbyists get involved. They gather the citizens to prevent the law from being passed, so as to continue the "status quo" of business practices.
Some defend a criminal's life, under the "right to life" cloak, supposedly given by god. That is a prime example, for which, should explain a lot to other people. The individual rights of a person are not subjected to a person's individual view.
Individual rights- you have only two of them.(#1) Right to Life and (#2) Right of Choice or Right to Choose. Everything you can do is categorized under these two rights. To maintain a civilized society, you as a person should be moral good and responsible for your actions.
Even under "right to life" and "right of choice", no individual has a right to take another person's life. The myth that the "majority" cannot make that decision is wrong, because it has to be made, so growth and progress forward can be made possible.
There are plenty of people who are religious in some way or another. They either follow religious teachings or just believe in god. These same people find themselves above those who do not. It is called- Righteousness. They think themselves better, therefore they are. Simply because of their religious belief and/or belief in god.
There can be no perfect society........
Unfortunately, this specific area is where many things get cloudy.
Those who hold a religious belief, either following along religion's line or simply belief in god, create what they believe to be, as close to perfect, as possible type way of life. However, as we know, humans are not perfect and are always proven to be fallible.
To create a civilized solution for the arguments laid down about the death penalty sentence, is to have a complete understanding of moral right and wrong, and objectively weigh, each person's value to society. The overall out-weighs the individual in any Nation, regardless.
Trust in this example: IF the only option available comes down to the government issuing a direct order to have you killed, with the hope/chance of saving hundreds of millions of lives, then you can better believe your life isn't worth a dime.
Reality of life......
Again, there are plenty of advocate groups and special interest groups, who like to manipulate the perspective about individual rights. Some scream and shout, about one person's rights, but forget to bother to think about those whose rights will be infringed upon, by the other person's individual claim of rights.
Your individual right to life and right to choice is automatic(just because you were born), when you do no damage to others or do not infringe upon the rights of others, however, the rights you do have can be negated by acts against others. Should you feel that your rights out-weighs that of others...then you would be wrong. Equality rules over individual rights.
That means, your neighbor and you, should be able to live moral good and civilized, while you two are neighbors. You do not have a right in infringe on their rights and they do not have the right to infringe upon your rights.
The death penalty is all about providing the maximum sentence, so as to prevent crime. There are some people however, who claim that Capital Punishment does nothing to deter or prevent crime. And, in some way they would be right, but up to a point. It is the manner in which the death penalty is used that is not helping to deter criminals or the crimes they commit.
Yes, do realize- the people who advocate that serial killers are people too. There happens to be something wrong with them and should be locked up for their life, and not executed. Since, advocate groups pushed so hard and continually, the State and Federal authorities have had to bend to conform. What that means is that inmates who are executed are to be done in a humane fashion.
The advocate groups have screamed loud enough, that even an inmate who is sick from the flu, cannot be executed, until he/she is in full health.
The highest moral value is to up hold all life. That would also include those who commit crimes against others. We are suppose to value that person's life, just as much as the life that was distinguished by that same person.
Many people want "eye-for-an-eye" type of mentality, but is seen as what is called "Justice", a.k.a. "revenge" or a "vendetta". Justice is really an illusion for those who are not in power. There are no ways of justice, because "the ends never justify the means".
With that said- how does a civilized death penalty become realized, if moral integrity of the highest caliber says to preserve all life above all else? Well, since the world, including America, humanity isn't truly civilized, nor it is as advanced as it is believed among those who are living. When you look around, you can see the obvious happenings that destroys others.
The question is what are the people going to do? Where will they find common ground?
People need to be held accountable at this stage! Society isn't civilized!
Again, What are the people going to do? Where can common ground be found? Both questions, by the people, the common folk who are really too busy with their own problems, to care about the overall of society, should be on their minds, but is not.
The average, most common person, has more problems than others realize. Many people do not, for some reason or another, equate the problems they have with others or that they are the same. Yes, many people do not realize that the problems they suffer from is suffered for by others as well. Which means, you and them, are in the same boat.
What do you know? Unrealized common ground. The misconception that humanity is civilized is just that, a misconception. The average person can be civilized, but is not. Some know how to be, but choose not to be. Those who commit acts against others, and a life is lost, is where the death penalty comes into play.
The death penalty should only be used on the worse killers of society. One of the other problems to plague the process is the cost of drugs, for which, are used in handling lethal injection executions. The drug manufacturers charge way too much for the drugs used in the process. This is absurd, but an avenue, in which, business can control executions, in a manner of speaking.
Death penalty costs too much! That's deception!
With that said, let's address that first problem - drug manufacturers, the makes of the chemicals that execute inmates. There are three different drugs used in the process of lethal injection and one is a paralyzing agent, and the other two take the person's life.
The first is adequate to do the job, but the second(technically third) one is used to ensure that the inmate is dead.
It never made sense to have two different drugs to do the same job. Maybe, it's just me. However, these drugs are expensive and another means needs to found or assessed. Well, I have a very unconventional solution for fixing that problem.
The Federal and State authorities, specifically the DEA and FBI, and CIA, continue to amass high quantities of drugs from cartels from around the world. They confiscate tons of money and drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, and they destroy all of it.
To me, that makes absolutely no sense, especially if the drug cartels are going to continue to grow more, and more.
Destroying the money and drugs is foolish, when a better process for both can be used. The drugs should be used on handling the executions of inmates. There can be a legal overdose applied and the inmate would die via euphoria, and no pain. Technically, humane.
The "cash" confiscated should be used to pay for the War on Drugs!!! It is absolutely nuts for the citizenry to continue to pay for a War and not receive any benefit from it. The death penalty should be enacted in every State in the Union. That would be to deter criminal activity.
And, Yes, if enacted in every single State, then people are likely to second think about killing someone else. As it stands presently, people take in account that, if they have the goods on someone else, then they can bargain their way down from the death penalty, to life in prison.
That cannot be tolerated any longer, and for reasons (a) too many inmates, and (b) costs for storage(i.e., health care, clothes, food, prison costs).
Those who are in for life, should be doing something constructive, that would be beneficial to society that they harmed. They could be used in many other areas, such as clean up of communities and to do acts of humility that help others.
However, I will end on a positive note- should you think that we live in a civilized society still, after reading this, then you've obviously been out of the loop lately and really do not understand.
To make a civilized society, each and every single individual person must take the steps necessary, to hold accountable/responsible those who take other people's life. The message must resound throughout one voice, so as to make others pay attention.
Thank you for your time
Raymond Choiniere II - Cagsil Services Founder
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I am very glad you liked it. I also appreciate your visit to my hub and as well your comment. Thank you very much. :)
Very interesting writing, Cagsil, and one that provokes deep thought. While I'm not a "right to lifer," or a religious "expert" who claims to know what God thinks, or even know for sure that such a being exists, I do feel that the taking of life is an unhealthy act, for anybody, including the one who works for the state. From your writing, and not merely this piece, you appear to value money over humanity, and that is an alternate view from my own. Still, there is much logic in this hub, and it has been well thought out. There is enough money in the world to house all inmates, if it were more evenly divided, and not seen as our ultimate American goal and purpose. Saving money, anybody's money, is not a good enough reason for taking anybody's life, in my opinion; however, your argument about the rights of other citizens to live protected from cold blooded murder is one I fully understand, and with which I empathize. Very well written and thought provoking work, Cagsil. Thumbs up on this one from me. (: v
Hey Valerie, I'm sorry if you get the impression of money over humanity. You're confusing two. The distribution of wealth is not an option to solve the problems either, because for the simple fact that only so much money can from those who make it. If only 20% know how to create wealth, and 80% do not know, then taking money from the wealthy will not and cannot take care of every problem. Other people need to be more interested in protecting themselves, as well, as making sure others are protected too. I too value the life of people, but as our present situation has too many people sacrificing other people's life, so they can get ahead, needs to be stopped, not just slowed down, but stopped. Those who go to prison, have a chance to be released and do more damage, when these people should not. Thank you very much for your comment. Your opinion is essential to your right to life and your right to choose. :)
To often "Rights" are given top priotity but with "RIGHTS" comes with "OBLIGATIONS". Great job cagsil
Hi. This is a good hub on a very interesting subject. In England we have not got capital punishment/death sentence and I personally think that if we had it many criminals would maybe think twice before committing some of the crimes they do. Why should they have rights for life when they give no regard to another humans life?
Thank you Cybersupe. Nice to see you again. Glad you came by and commented. Much appreciated. :)
Hey Nasus loops, WOW! It's been a while, it's great to see you. The biggest problem is that the penalty/sentence must be carried out, to make examples, to those people properly impact people about their decisions. It is a shame what some people do at the expense of others. Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting. Always a pleasure to see you. :)
Hi, as nasus said, we in England don't have that choice. But I have only one thing to say, if someone thinks it's their right to take a life, then as far as i am concerned, they should give theirs. They will only do it again. Even if they never get out of prison, you can bet they will do it to someone else in jail at some stage. It could be another prisoner, but more importantly it could be a warden. Thanks nell
Again, Thank you very much Nell. I agree. There are simply those who will continue to destroy people's life. It's their choice to take someone's life and they know it is wrong, clearly tougher more clear cut laws need to be in place to handle such. Putting hardened killers in prison, so they can still live better than a homeless person is just not right. Again, much appreciated. :)
Civilized society. . dont believe we live in one. . not sure if it is even possible. . i think that our parents generation believed that once upon a time there was such a thing ..but I do not. . history has seen so many evils perpetrated on others and as I sit here and type I shutter to think of what horrific things are going on at this moment. . I could go on and on here but I think you know where I am going with this one.. .
and as far as the government confiscating tons of drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, do you really believe that they do destroy all of it. . . hmmmm
Thumbs up on this Hub Cags. .a great hub on making people think outside of their comfort zone. Voted up and deserves a tweet or two!
Hey Wavegirl, there has to be a better way to make people aware of the thing happening within society. There are far too many people self-absorbed in their delusion, illusion or whatever, to give a damn about others. The only I am more concerned with are serial killers, mass murders and such. Housing the in prison is no longer an answer, and if cost is the only issue, then I say find a better way.
As for do they destroy what they get? Well, about 10-30% is back out on the streets, but then again, remember, this is a war on drugs....$300 Billion comes in and less than 10% of that is taken control of by authorities? So, who cares what is making back out on the street. Government got it's funding for it's B.S. war. It's been ineffective, and if you want proof- look out in the streets. Thank you for your time and honesty. I know there is a lot to make people think, but it is a must do. :)
nice work.
Obviously if you have read my hubs on the death penalty I will strongly disagree with your view point. As said in my hubs there are several reasons I oppose the Death Penalty. Not just because there is such a high error rate in the convictiond 68% in America. but for more moral reasons. that is we regard Mursder as the mosrt henious of crimes yet if we licence pweople to do that very thing we becme little beter than those that commit murder in the first place.
Hey Kimberly, thank you for taking time to read the article. Some people would not have even done that. So, I am grateful. :)
Hey Barryrutherford, Thank you very much for coming to my hub and reading. Plus, also for your comment. However, I can understand your "moral" issue with it, but unfortunately, what YOU consider moral is not accepted by all. Therefore, as I stated, we are not in civilized world, as of yet and until there are moral values established for everyone and are known by everyone you can still going to have issues. As for the conviction rate and those who are innocent go to prison, I mean the error rate is a completely different topic altogether. I get the moral dilemma, and I like you do not approve of taking a life, but as I said- civility and morality isn't known. Again, thank you.
Cagsil, In situations when the issue of death penalty comes to mind I always think of David and Goliath... I feel David is a key and vital player... Great thought on Civilized Death Penalty Solution. Peace :)
Thank you very much Katie. I can see what you mean, but I would also like to add, and it seems like I always have to repeat myself- the moral values some people have learned or assume for their own life is not commonly known to everyone else. Until there is a moral standard, then we(as a society) must do what we can to prepare those who do not know moral values. And, those who refuse to understand and take other people's life, will answer or be held responsible for their actions.
You know, I'm so sick and tired, hearing about how immoral it is about taking a life, especially the ones who do mass killings, then get life in prison. Not only to they have a chance to escape and kill more. I know there are lots of arguments, but most of them fail, because humanity is not civilized, as it is now. Thank you much again. It's always a pleasure to see you. :)
Well thought out and interesting hub on death penalty. I agree with your conclusions. Good hub.
Thank you Pamela. We do have to start somewhere on the path to true moral values. Those values should be established and not wavered from. Many people believe we, as a species, are civilized? But, when you talk to people, what to they do? They compare humans to animals and say they are the same. So, where did the perception that humans are civilized come from? Yet, another misconception that needed revealing. Thank you again. It was nice to see you again. As always, I am grateful. :)
Great Hub,
I agree with the eye for an eye concept, killers who have control of their own actions and are as sane as you and I (this could cause some debate) should face the death penalty. Why should society pay to keep these people for many many years at great expense?
Everyone has choice, anyone who says they don't is just not trying hard enough! I have met many people who have climbed out of extreme poverty and hardship, and others that have just given in to it and fallen into "bad ways".. this is not an excuse, it is a choice!
If people choose to take someones life then they choose to lose their own, very simple in my mind. If there is sanity in their actions then they should pay for it, crimes of passion, heat of the moment "mistakes" should not, but killing for greed or to make their lives easier should..
As to the serial killer types, sane or not they should be put out of their misery (and ours!)Why should they be made to live and continue to be tormented by whatever devils live in their heads? Surely mercy is to take the lives of these people!
Thank you again LeanMan. I am very grateful for your words and glad to see you agree. The burdens bestowed on society must lighten up and the problems plaguing it must be addressed. Thank you also for your compliment. :)
Well capital punishment has never deterred anyone bent on breaking anyone's law. One of the worst forms was being drawn and quartered. It still did not stop crime and neither did crucifixion. I used to believe in it, don't now though and I feel really bad for the men and women who are the executioners in our prisons. I do not know how I would feel or react if one of my own loved ones were savaged by a serial killer. I probably would want to kill the murderer myself, but what would that solve. this is a most profound subject not to be taken lightly. Nice work Ray. CC
Hey Ralwus, I realize that capital punishment has never deterred anyone from breaking the laws. And I am not saying that capital punishment is an answer, but what I do want is a moral civilized society than what's out there right now. Remember, I am talking about the ones who are horrific killers, who are accounted for more than one life. I will agree it is a tough subject and for good reason, but people continue to dismiss whatever morals they believe themselves to have and go on damaging society. Hence, the reason I said we do NOT live in a civilized society. So, more tighter implementation is warranted. Thank you for stopping by my hub and leaving a comment. I was nice to see you and hope you're doing well. :)
Hi Cags:
I think you've read my "hub" on televised executions.
A premeditated murder of an "innocent" human being should be dealt with with the same extremity it was perpetrated and carried thru.
Screw this "humane execution" thought!
I want the "guilty" to suffer the same physical and psychological pain the victim felt before he exits his life!
After all legal appeals have been completed and the death sentence holds, I want the guilty to be "drawn and quartered" on TV.
You are invited to my place for a "tailgate" party to celebrate the MF's earned reward!
Hey Qwark, I have read your hub on the subject and my point was to maintain some sort of "civilized" manner for which to take care of the problem. I can understand that you would prefer that these sort of killers/murderers be taken care of in the same manner their victims suffer, but that's not actually civilized. That purposely inflicted unnecessary work or effort, which can have a unrealistic affect/effect(emotional/mental) on a person. To execute the horrific ones in the manner I described is better and more costs effective. As for putting them on TV/CABLE is not an option(even though it was a funny part of George Carlin's skit), but in reality there isn't an upside to it. Thank you very much for stopping by my hub. It's great to see you. :)
Hey Cags...I always read your comments...:-)
Now, what has "civil" got to do with ridding humanity of an uncivilized SOB who has given up his right to live by taking the precious life of an innocent!
"It" should be destroyed by making "it" feel/experience the same "fear and pain" the victim did!
How can anyone imagine that we human animals, at this stage of our "evolution" are in any manner or form, "civilized?" Look up the definition of "civilized" and tell me that it defines we human beings!.IT DOES NOT!
What do you mean it wouldn't be cheaper to take a murderous animal out in the same manner as he did his victim?
Beat him to death, throttle him, bury him alive...all cheap.
In the bible this god thing says: "vengeance is mine!" So don't you religious bigots try to convince me that vengeance isn't acceptable.
Screw this "humane" crap! When has man been humane? Man has not been humane since his appearance. it's not in his genetic programming.
If you bring a rack of pork ribs for the "barby, you're still invited to my "tailgate" party if we can ever convince we phoney, money, grubbing, greedy, religiously intolerant, warring, primitive human creatures to televise an execution.
CAgs I mispoke...I meant "religiously bigoted."...not "religiously intolerant."
I need a cuppa coffee...:-)
Hey Qwark, I realize you are a little bit arrogant, almost too much, but if we(civilization) continue on with your methodology of thinking, then I would have to ask you one thing- When do we begin to become civilized if we do not take the steps to become civilized ourselves?
Your flippant attitude about your position on this subject is a bit to the extreme, and "the ends NEVER justify the means", when coming from your point of view. Many of the killers/murderers who have claimed more than one life are the danger and must be removed from society permanently, until we learn more about the human mind and find ways to correct the problem.
I realize you want to put it on TV/CABLE, but again, that would not be the greatest idea. Sure, some people would watch, however, I would suggest discretion in the manner, so as to have Capital Punishment become a deterrent for such acts. As for your error in words is irrelevant. Bigots and Intolerance has to be weeded out of society, so as to improve the way of life for all. Thus, the elimination of the mystical religious ideology of "god" can go away. And, I certainly hope you were not insinuating that I am religious, so to speak, because you should know better than that by now. :)
Btw- cheap? Beating a man/woman murdering scum-bags? The person who has to do it??? What about the "cost" of that person's well being? Unless you plan on letting the death-row inmates have at them? (just kidding on the inmates thought)
Put one hundred prisoners in a room. Of those one hundred, you know that ninety-nine deserve the death penalty. You also know that one is innocent.
Press a single button, and all one hundred die, painlessly.
Do you press the button?
You might press it, but I don't.
Pressing that button would make me the murderer of an innocent man.
That's the reality of the death penalty. We execute the innocent. That it doesn't happen very often is irrelevant. That we don't know which prisoner is innocent is irrelevant. We have still committed to killing the innocent in order to exterminate the guilty.
Apparently the "greater good" of ridding the world of murderers justifies murder. That isn't sound logic, to me.
Hey Chasuk, nice to see you again. First off, you are jumping the gun. Did I say anywhere to execute an innocent person. Your logic makes not a lick of sense. You put 100 prisoners in a room, and the likelihood one is innocent does have a probability. However, my hub deals with the ones who are more than guilty or more than ONE murder. There is already overwhelming evidence that puts them in prison for the rest of their natural born life(with a probability of escape, remaining), which means they could do even more damage.
The criminal element I speak of doesn't kill because they are nuts, they do it because it is fun. We, as a species, must deal with the problem in the most civilized way possible. You think they have disease or mental illness? Sorry, that points the blame in the wrong direction and renders an appearance of deception.
These people want to hurt others, they want their life to be about killing other people. I'm sorry, when they become so twisted or mental challenged and go off killing people(more than one)- locking them up isn't a valuable use of resources. Sooner or later- overpopulation is going to be an issue and as I stated, since humanity isn't quite a civilized society as a whole, then we must take the steps toward being civilized. Then no one has to die and it can be wiped off being used. Integrity, self-control, self-responsibility and civility is required for progress forward. Thank you for your argument and it was taken into consideration when I wrote the hub.
I do however want to touch on a side note, and hopefully get you to see something- One of the arguments about the use of the death penalty is the possibility of frying or executing an innocent person. This is a false logic in itself. You would never know if an innocent man was or has been executed for a crime s/he didn't commit, besides witch trials. Going back that far is foolish. We are more civilized now compared to then. My point to make is...if you did execute an innocent man, you would never know about it. Once the execution is done, so stops any further investigation. All avenues are exhausted before someone is executed. But thank you so much. :)
I enjoy your hubs, Cagsil, but on this topic I think we will continue to disagree.
We don't execute the innocent often, but the knowledge that it happens at all should prevent us from carrying out capital punishment.
Thank you for your interesting hubs.
Please do let me know when the last time an innocent person was executed? Oh, please do tell. As I said, you wouldn't know the person was innocent. How do you know an innocent person was executed? Besides, dating back to witch trials. Thank you for your compliment. I appreciate it. If you choose to disagree, then so be it. But, I do get what you mean, because of the faulty courts, but please try to remember the type I was talking about. Your argument has no basis. Enjoy. :)
If someone is imoral enough to kill someone else, than they should be killed. We should abide by their moral code, since its their moral code that put them in their situation in the first place. As for wrongly accused people, how can we oppose a punishment for a crime just in case the person convicted is innocent? Thats insane. If someone murdered my son, i would want their death to reflect the death of their victem.
Hey Pink umbrella, thank you for reading and commenting on my hub. It is always nice to see and hear what people have to say on this matter. It is a very controversial topic, but best solved when looking at the whole of society, and not on the individual. I have one problem with what you said, which does not agree with what I said- "if someone is immoral enough to kill someone else, then they should be killed.", and that is on a one-to-one basis, and I disagree. If they take MORE than one life, then and only then should the "death penalty" or "capital punishment" be used. If it is or happens on a one-to-one basis, then lock up for life without parole.
It's meant for the ones who do the most damage or are more dangerous to society's overall health. Serial killers and mass murderers, who are the ones that matter most. There is absolutely no reason to put them in prison, with a possibility of escape(always on the plate).
Cagsil, this is an original approach to a difficult subject. I appreciate the concept of social responsibility, that safety ought to be a shared burden and not something conveniently delegated to a few institutions.
Hey Website Examiner, I appreciate you reading my hub and leaving a comment. I would rather see more people be completely responsible, much less have social responsibility. As for safety is not a shared burden, it is a shared responsibility and most definitely not delegated to any singular institution, such as congress or government, or even the judicial system. It's the people, the juries responsibility to hand down the sentences and not for the judicial system or government, to make a mandate. The continuation of not using is what is keeping society living in fear and everything step toward the future of peace, more of an escaped idea that cannot be envisioned. Thank you very much. :)
Hi Cags, well I read your hub. Very well written. You address all the issues that a conscience minded person, concerned with this issue should address.
I'm still about the taxes. The states should make the inmate pay, not me or you. That's the bottomline. I'm not for murder. Not saying that the death penalty is wrong, just saying me, myself, and I aren't smart enough to play God. That kind of stuff has to be left up to someone else, I can't make those decisions. Truthfully my faith doesn't allow me to judge someone, one way or another. Using my tax dollars to fund murder, is like me pulling the trigger. I have a real moral issue with that.
And....., just so you know; an average death execution costs much more. Here I find this for you;
"The death penalty costs much more. Why is this so?
The extra costs have very little to do with the costs of the actual execution, but rather with the legal costs. I have listed sources below.
Pre trial costs are much greater because, once a suspect is caught, the prosecutor must investigate the mental health history of the suspect himself. If the prosecutor decides to seek the death penalty, the trial will have two separate phases, one to decide guilt, one to decide the penalty. The process of choosing jurors(they must be “death qualified) is much more complicated in death penalty cases. Many more pre-trial motions are filed by both sides and have to be answered. Prosecution teams use more lawyers, and where the money is available, by the defense as well. Death penalty cases take much longer to try. It is only at this point that appeals begin and the costs escalate. It is also important to note that the overwhelming number of cases where the death penalty is not on the table end in plea bargains.
Here is a specific example: In New York State, the average annual cost to incarcerate someone not on death row is about $35,000 per year. On the other hand, in the years since 1995, when New York State brought back a death penalty law, 7 people were sentenced to death, none had more than one appeal and 3 had not even had their first appeal. New York shelled out well over $200,000,000 for its capital punishment system since 1995. Assuming each of the 7 men lives for 40 years the cost to incarcerate all of them for life would be under 10 million dollars.
By the way, life without parole is now available in 48 states. It means what it says, is sure and swift (requirements for a punishment to deter others) and is rarely appealed.
One of the answers you have received is wrong about deterrence. Homicide rates are higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it.
Source(s):
Death Penalty Information Center, www.deathpenaltyinfo.org, reports on costs, and number of executions by state and region."
I'm not about spending money we don't have. I know the state of MO cannot afford these executions, no more than New York can. Be that as it may, it is all about the taxes. Have a good day.
Hey IE, my main point with references to the costs, is to pull the money from somewhere else and not use taxpayer revenue to fund the execution themselves. The court cases are a different topic altogether. But, thank you for presenting your side of it. The costs of actual executions without the court costs is still quite expensive in itself and the court system isn't using the death penalty in the manner it should be applied, because it is being used for those who commit on murder. And, I'm sure you can always find statistics to back up any argument, but if it was implemented in a manner, in which I've stipulated within my hub, then once it was put into practice, the amount of crime would actually go down and would be paid for without using taxpayer money. Thank you very much for reading it. I'm grateful. :)
The idea behind Punishment, is Deterrence, by setting an example ... not the inflicting of pain and suffering upon humans.
Yes- it sets an example for what happens when you choose to damage other people's lives. Those who do the most damage are serial killers, mass murderers and the like. However, it must be handled properly to be effective. Costs are too much, as IE pointed out in her comment, not to mention the drugs used? Which, I also have a solution for cutting costs. I prefer to live in a civilized society, I don't know about you. And, as it stands, looking at the rest of the world, with a worldview aspect- I'll tell you right now- this world is far from civilized.
I do appreciate your reading?(I'm not sure you did) and comment.
okay,you killed a criminal,do you guarantee that there will be no crime?! WHAT A SHITTY PRINCIPLE AND ATTITUDE IS THAT. I don't receive your eye for an eye,I don't believe in your "evolution" and "civilization" stuff.I'm so sick of arguments of people who support death penalty. Yeah,by your logic,electric chair is sign of "civilization".well done!!!!!!!! Vengeance is not a sign of humanity and civilization> death penalty is NOT A SOLUTION.
Hey Weirdo woman, your ignorance is appalling and not only does your comment show off your ignorance, but it also shows you lack any understanding about this hub. But, I do appreciate your reading the hub and commenting. The purpose of the death penalty in it's original concept was to bring forth understanding of why you shouldn't be vengeful. The death penalty can be done away with when humanity(the collective of our species) has evolved to a civilized society, which you make no mention of? Why is that? Because you're motivated by something else. You claim not to believe in "evolution" yet it's actually a prove fact, which shows that you lack the intelligence for any conversation on the matter. As for having humanity civilized? It is not and should you want to have a perfect world, then you should read my other hub on Rights and Morals and LEARN how a perfect society(humanity(collective species)) cannot ever be obtained, because of rights, freedoms and liberty. Your comment also shows you lack any understanding of how to obtain a world filled with peace. Until you grow in yourself and more knowledge, this will certain be something you cannot possibly wrap your mind around. Good day! :)
I've always thought that those unfit for society would make really fine, upstanding Mars colonists. No gaurds, no escape. Mining ops. Supplies, etc by "space drop". Could even name it like "Alcatraz". Good hub though, voting it up
That's not a bad idea. Mars, I guess could be a great place to colonize. It could very well be an option in the future, however, I'm unsure if it could be made to work. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate the vote up too. :)
Right on Cagsil! Stumbled on this and glad I did. I've thought about this a lot - and for one thing there have been dozens of cases where the wrong person was implicated! So I wouldn't want to "accidentally" kill the wrong dude!
How do you think the person feels that has to actually inject the drug or flip the switch? That's some pressure and job stress.
And here's another thing I wish I could propose - how about sending them all to a huge island and letting them fight to the death or survive? Even in prisons - there is a hierarchy. I find that very interesting, don't you? There is a respected leader with followers - and a murderer might be less hated than a rapist, for example. I personally, have no judgment to pass what so ever - I'm thinking of this on a social level only.....
You are so right though - no one is perfect and everyone will make mistakes. Everyone will have moments were morality fails them. As people - we spend a lot of time trying to pretend we are perfect:). So I'll just admit it - I'm an animal:) lol. Super up and awesome thought provoking hub!
Thank you RealHousewife for reading and commenting. I don't want to see an innocent person killed any more than anyone wants one convicted for a crime they didn't commit to begin with. That's why I stipulated that only serial killers and mass murders are the ones who are executed. I don't agree with the application of the death penalty/capital punishment as it is laid out now.
It's ridiculous. I also don't approve of using taxpayer's tax revenue as a source for paying for the housing, clothing, feeding and health care of inmates. The money should come from somewhere else. I also don't approve of the BIG Pharma companies holding states hostage with the amounts each drugs costs to produce and implement.
I approve of lethal injection and not of the electric chair. The lethal injection as laid out in this hub solves a HUGE problem and avoids much of the costs with regards to the implementation of the death penalty sentence. And, as I said before(in the hub) the court system is in serious need of revamping. The appeals process takes way too damn long and all death row inmates who match the criteria of this hub should have all their appeals brought to the fore-front, so the prisons can be cleaned out of those who are waiting. Thank you very much. :)
Oh I agree! Also - great point that they should have to be doing something productive for society! I think at the very least they should have to sustain a lot of their needs by say - growing and harvesting their own food. They should have prisoners use their time to repay the costs of their housing, and legal costs, for instance. It's just crazy that we even have to think about this stuff!
I do think revamping is necessary in a huge way! What we are doing now is a huge failure for everyone. I am for the death penalty in many cases too - child killers for one and a few others you mentioned. I just wouldn't want to be the one to HAVE to do that! That would have to be a terrible job! Wow! Gives a whole new job category for "what would you like to be when you grow up?". Oops:) sorry...lol
Thank you again RealHousewife. Much appreciated. :)
Cagsil, that is really a very complex issue you have taken up to address in this Hub. I for myself can never decide- it is true that at times, for convicted serial killers, terrorists etc. I do feel that the Human Rights people make silly demands. How can a civilized society turn a blind eye on the actions of those people, who plan and in cold-blood destroy the basic rights of numerous others? Then again having the death sentence legalized means leaving a chance open for any kind of human error to lead to the death of an innocent. That thought is not too comforting. But it is worth discussing. Voted up and interesting.
Hey Sen.sush, I can understand about innocent people who are convicted and sentenced to death, and later found out that they are innocent, is an atrocity. However, as this hub discusses, it wouldn't be possible to execute an innocent person unless they were setup in a way in which they appear as a mass murderer or serial killer. Thank you very much for reading, commenting, vote up and interesting. :)
sagbee 2 years ago
Good work! I liked you hub its quite interesting.. thanks for sharing it..