The most severe of all punishments is the death penalty. It is also known as capital punishment. It is the most severe form of punishment, as it requires officers to kill the offender. It has been banned in many countries, including the United States. An earlier move to eliminate the death penalty has now been reversed and more and more states are resorting to capital punishment for serious offenses such as murder. Today, there is a big controversy over the death penalty whether to keep it or abolish it. By referring to my own personal experience I can express my opinion on whether I feel it should be kept or abolished. .
I used to be against the death penalty. I thought of it as cruel, wrong, and immoral and does not belong in the penal system to prevent crime. I also felt that there is not a death more horrible than being executed by the government. I have always had the idea that violence should not be used to resolve violence. About two years ago, whenever the issue of death penalty would come up, I"d think about what the Bible says which is "you shall not kill." I thought that the death penalty was simply a form of revenge. To me those who assist in the death penalty are partners in crime. I always thought of it as a "cruel and unusual" punishment. It is final and cannot be reversed. In the past, many people had been wrongfully executed, but now there are safeguards that guarantee the protection of those facing the death penalty. These safeguards are: the defendant can't be insane. His or her intent must be present and people who have mental problems aren't given the death penalty. .
That was then, but from what I have recently experienced, I have a whole different feeling about the death penalty. One year ago my friend was shot and killed execution style for no apparent reason. They were convicted and now they are sitting on death row. This has drawn me to have a whole different view of the death penalty.
