The Death Penalty is a form of punishment used to execute a criminal for committing certain crimes. This law is used in some states and it's used on those who commit serious crimes and endanger the lives of innocent civilians. Therefore, execution although considered to be "cruel and unusual punishment" maximizes public safety. It is also more adequate for the criminal rather than being put to jail and having the chance of parole, and being released back in the streets. Last but not least, the fear of death may deter people from committing deadly crimes. .
Many people and certain countries are against putting a criminal on death row due to religious beliefs. They also feel that innocent people will be wrongfully executed all in the name of justice. However, this is not true. There are many safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those people that are facing the death penalty. Some of these safeguards are from the book The Death Penalty in America, written by Hugo Adam Bedau (29). Some of these safeguards are:.
1. "Capital Punishment may be imposed only for a crime for which the death penalty is prescribed by law at the time of its commission. .
2. Capital punishment may be imposed only when guilt is determined by clear and convincing evidence leaving no room for an alternative explanation of the facts.
3. Capital punishment may be carried out only after a final judgment rendered by a competent court allowing all possible safeguards to the defendant, including adequate legal assistance.
4. Also capital punishment shall be carried out so as to inflict the minimum possible suffering, etc." (207) .
These safeguards will ensure that justice will be served without having them suffer. .
Execution maximizes public safety through a form of incapacitation and deterrence. It may prevent recurrences of violence and deadly crimes making a criminal think twice knowing his own life would be at stake.
