Should the Death Penalty be Legal? - David Berk

      If we look at the common sense argument, it makes perfect sense that the death penalty should be used as punishment for the worst crimes that are committed. There is a strong deterrent effect associated with the death penalty. People have a great fear of dying, so if that is the punishment for committing a horrible crime, people are less likely to commit the crime. Additionally, it is logical to say that if one person kills another, then the punishment should be the same as the crime. This teaches society that it is not ok to murder someone, and if you do so you will be subjected to the same punishment.
      However, there is a counter argument to the use of the death penalty. First, we can refute the lesson it teaches society. If we put someone to death for murdering someone, then we teach society that death is ok in a certain form. However, if we sentence someone to life in prison, we teach society that it is never acceptable to cause someone's death. Additionally, it costs about $3 million to put someone to death. Sentencing someone to jail for life with no possible release costs about one third of this total. This means that society would have extra money that could be used for economic improvement, while still removing the criminal from society forever. Overall, I believe that there is no reason to use the death penalty over life in prison.