Capital Punishment

Perhaps the most controversial part of America's judicial system is the existence of the death penalty and it's enforcement. Even though seventy percent of the population are for capitcal punishment, it's purpose and legality is still in question. I believe it is a requirement in our society and it's many crimes.

The death penalty, also know as capital punishment, or execution, has been a part of human civilization as far back as Hannibal of 1728 B.C. True, often it was a gruesome and inhumane spectacle, in many centuries prior to the present day, although similar barbaric executions are carried out in some countries, like those in the Middle East. It still exists to punish those who have committed atrocious crimes. At a time, capital punishment instilled fear in the wicked and general population. Governments saw it as the best way to deliver a message they wanted to send. A demonstration of consequence for the challengers.

Crime is high in the United States. There are now more than twenty-five thousand homicides in the United States. Perhaps without the death penalty, that number would be larger? The death sentence is legal in 38 of the 50 states. At one time, it was declared unconstitutional. Four years later, in 1977, Gilmore demanded to be executed by a firing squad, thus reviving capital punishment once again as a legal form of punishment.

When the convicted receives

the death sentence, execution is not prompt. While that prisoner is in prison, as you work, and as your parents work, your tax dollars are paying for that prisoner and the servidces that he or she has access to. There are thousands still waiting to be put to death. As of last year, between five to ten prisoners were