T.Jackson
- 18th March 2008, 14:13
I've spent the past few months studying murderers, rapists and pedophiles for a university assignment on capital punishment for a unit entitled: "Applied Reasoning" Just thought I'd like to share this here with you all, perhaps get some feedback on your views on capital punishment. It's a touchy subject, I handled it diligently to the best of my ability and scored a credit.
Narrative Flow Part:
Capital punishment is viable, warranted sanction for offenders of particularly heinous crimes. Critique reveals that some offenders will never learn, and I say this because American criminal statistics show that well over 50% of all violent felons are actually repeating offenders. (Humphrey 2004) After studying many cases, I’m inclined to believe also that, an alarming portion of violent criminals gradually escalate the severity of their offences overtime. Another assumption, also based from case study is that -- many notorious violent felons commit further, sometimes even worse offences while they’re incarcerated.
Capital punishment does indeed preserve life! I can’t emphasize this enough because research suggests that it does well & truly deter crime. Consequently, from fear of the death penalty, many murderers are more than willing to accept plea bargains before trial, thus avoiding the possible likelihood of life ending consequences being brought upon them. (Keckler 2006)
Sadly, some people just seriously can’t be rehabilitated. Some felons aren’t one bit scared of prison life, not even a life sentence without parole (Keckler 2006) The American state of Carolina is now seeking the death penalty for child sex offenders convicted of raping a child younger than 11. (SBS News 2006) The majority of American’s believe that capital punishment is viably working for them because public opinion polls strongly suggest that the death penalty greatly reduces the crime rate. Interestingly, public support in America for capital punishment has dramatically risen since the late 70’s. Consequently, at current, two thirds of Americans are indeed in full support of the death penalty. (Humphrey 2004)
Arguably, capital punishment has some considerable, positive psychological impacts on society, it sends out a very clear message to the world -- ‘these crimes are just totally unacceptable’. Another psychological repercussion is that the victim’s family no longer needs to live in fear and worry about the felon ever hurting them again. (Personal opinion) All told, capital punishment is clearly a last resort option that should be reserved for some of the ‘worst of the worst’ offenders who are considered to be an ongoing threat, when and only when there is absolutely zero doubt in all minds that they’re guilty.
Narrative Flow Part:
Capital punishment is viable, warranted sanction for offenders of particularly heinous crimes. Critique reveals that some offenders will never learn, and I say this because American criminal statistics show that well over 50% of all violent felons are actually repeating offenders. (Humphrey 2004) After studying many cases, I’m inclined to believe also that, an alarming portion of violent criminals gradually escalate the severity of their offences overtime. Another assumption, also based from case study is that -- many notorious violent felons commit further, sometimes even worse offences while they’re incarcerated.
Capital punishment does indeed preserve life! I can’t emphasize this enough because research suggests that it does well & truly deter crime. Consequently, from fear of the death penalty, many murderers are more than willing to accept plea bargains before trial, thus avoiding the possible likelihood of life ending consequences being brought upon them. (Keckler 2006)
Sadly, some people just seriously can’t be rehabilitated. Some felons aren’t one bit scared of prison life, not even a life sentence without parole (Keckler 2006) The American state of Carolina is now seeking the death penalty for child sex offenders convicted of raping a child younger than 11. (SBS News 2006) The majority of American’s believe that capital punishment is viably working for them because public opinion polls strongly suggest that the death penalty greatly reduces the crime rate. Interestingly, public support in America for capital punishment has dramatically risen since the late 70’s. Consequently, at current, two thirds of Americans are indeed in full support of the death penalty. (Humphrey 2004)
Arguably, capital punishment has some considerable, positive psychological impacts on society, it sends out a very clear message to the world -- ‘these crimes are just totally unacceptable’. Another psychological repercussion is that the victim’s family no longer needs to live in fear and worry about the felon ever hurting them again. (Personal opinion) All told, capital punishment is clearly a last resort option that should be reserved for some of the ‘worst of the worst’ offenders who are considered to be an ongoing threat, when and only when there is absolutely zero doubt in all minds that they’re guilty.