Extinguish the beasts

   It seems absurd to talk about capital punishment in the 21th century. Nevertheless, the debate of death sentence is still alive, although many countries have abolished it. In this essay, I will develop both sides of the argument.

   To begin with, people who murder or seriously injure (like rapists do) someone are giving up their human rights, therefore, they lose their right to be alive. The crimes which may conclude in capital punishment involve a culprit who is believed to have become a beast, as their actions are inhuman. Furthermore, killing the jailbird makes the family of the victim feel more relieved. Although they have lost a member of their lives, knowing that the criminal suffered just like the victim and that they will not be able to ruin more lives, may comfort the family. In addition, when the justice kills a culprit, it helps the community not just by exterminating someone who could commit a crime again, but by warning others what their destiny could be if they do not follow the law.

   On the other hand, the justice system is full of flaws, so in the long run, the state may end up killing innocent people who were wrongfully convicted. By the time they are dead, it is too late to set them free. Unfortunately, we are all human, and humans are not perfect. Moreover, retribution (“you get what you deserve”) is immoral because the punishment ends up being a form of vengeance, rather than a lesson. Regarding the point explained in the previous paragraphs, concerning how racketeers are shown their future if they do not stop committing crimes, there are statistics which clearly show that, in practice, this does not happen. Criminals are neither encouraged, nor discouraged, to keep on committing offences. For example, Fagan compared murder rates in Hong Kong, where capital punishment was abolished in 1993, and Singapore, where a death sentence is mandatory for murder and other crimes.

Capital punishment in Hong Kong and Singapore

The researchers found little difference. Furthermore, all lives matter, and we do not have the power to choose who gets to live and who must die. Overall, if the state kills a jailbird, it, as well, becomes a murderer. In the movie “Dead Man Walking”, the audience clearly sees how, by killing the rapist, they destroyed another family and pain did not disappear for the other families. Although we must wait until the end of the movie to see the protagonist admitting his blame, is still inhuman the way he was treated.

   In conclusion, capital punishment provides relief, warns society and makes a hustler pay for his mistake. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that death sentence is not the solution. In my opinion, people learn and suffer a lot more when they are in prison for the rest of their lives. By suffering, but still being alive, criminals are able to comprehend the seriousness of their crimes, and might be able to change their attitudes and become better individuals for their communities. To help re-educate the criminal, society must become more supportive and change, as every background story is essential to explain a crime. We must not become the beasts we are trying to extinguish.