The Immorality of the Death Penalty - 1877 Words

The Immorality of the Death Penalty Word Count: 1580 Capital Punishment was adopted by America when the state of Virginia carried out the colonies’ first execution in 1608 (â€Å"History of the Death Penalty†). Since then, usage of the death penalty has been instituted by 36 states, making execution the ultimate form of punishment. Although in theory the death penalty seems like a viable method of punishment, in practice, it has serious flaws that damage the integrity of the state. Capital Punishment has been falsely idolized as a deterrent, applied unfairly for generations, used as a vehicle for revenge, and made people blind to the fact that life in prison without parole is an equally acceptable form of punishment. The death penalty is an†¦show more content†¦When in context with violent crime, these stressors become even more intense, and irrational prejudices lead to failure of control over one’s own impulses. People are more insecure around members of different demographics, with the subconscious ten sion creating moral ambiguity within the mind, leading to a higher propensity of violent crime. Since these innate biases cannot be consciously controlled, the deterrence theory cannot be considered as a factor for curbing violent crime. Other subconscious factors manipulate people to act out impulsively without premeditated thoughts of the consequences. In the courtroom, these stressors come out in full force. Although the Courts have â€Å"concluded that statistics alone do not prove that race enter[s] into any capital sentencing decision in any one particular case†¦Ã¢â‚¬  it is obvious that ethnicity becomes a factor (Ross 153). Countering the court’s argument, statistics have shown that in America, â€Å"blacks who killed whites were five and six times†¦ more likely to be sentenced to death than whites who killed whites† (151). The reason for this is mainly due to jurors unintentionally letting race influence their decision making process. The in-group bias and ethnic boundaries described above cloud the jury’s judgment, seeking a stronger penalty for minority groups. Also, if the victim who was killed was someone with goodShow MoreRelatedImmorality of the Death Penalty, A Speech605 Words   |  2 Pagesimmoral is significant because our country is spending unnecessary amounts on death penalty executions, in which citizens do not know enough about the subject matter to disagree or protest its use. While tax payers are paying for this procedure, the death penalty poses many moral insurrections. B. Introduce Topic: Since you all have been informed about the gruesomeness of the death penalty, I am going to emphasize its immorality and unfairness to the world. C. Ethos/Credibility: Unlike those whoRead MoreThe Debate Over Death Penalty1618 Words   |  7 PagesReiner Writing 39C 7/20/16 Debates over Death Penalty in the United States The issue of death penalty today is a popular topic for numerous public and scholarly discussions. The death penalty has a long and distinguished history in the United States, as it has been around in some form—either official or otherwise—since the beginning of American society. America originally adopted the British justice system, with hundreds of crimes being punishable by death. Slowly but surely, states began to eliminateRead MoreCapital Punishment and its Controversies 1434 Words   |  6 PagesCapital punishment uses death penalty as a form of punishment in many states and countries. It is a practice that has raised endless questions all over the world. Capital punishment or death penalty policy has changed in many countries overtime. 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