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Capital Punishment: Pros and ConsBy KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant The death penalty, legal in 38 U.S. states, is the strictest form of criminal punishment allowable by law. Execution is a controversial subject. Some believe that it´s cruel and that we don't have the right to take another´s life, no matter what the circumstances. These people would like to see capital punishment abolished. Others feel it´s acceptable punishment for savage criminals who are considered beyond rehabilitation. What´s your viewpoint? Formulating an opinion about this issue is not an easy task.
The controversy over capital punishment becomes more heated when special circumstances arise. In Missouri, a 16-year-old male was sentenced to death for two murders. The young man was brain damaged, and his age and mental handicap caused an outcry about the death penalty. Read one newspaper writer's opinion about the death sentence, and try to decide whether you agree or disagree. Would you feel the same if there were no “special” circumstances? Through many thousands of years, capital punishment has taken different forms. You have probably heard gruesome stories about executions by stoning, or hanging or beheading. How many other types of execution can you think of? In recent centuries criminals have faced death by firing squad and gallows, for example. More recently, sentences have been carried out with gallows and electric chair, among other methods. In present times, some have died by lethal injection. In attempts to make executions as quick, painless and humane as possible, methods continue to change as technology advances. Still, many would like the death penalty declared illegal. They question whether it violates the United States Constitution´s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. A columnist recently remarked that only six nations in the world continue to execute juvenile offenders. The six nations are Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United States. Read what a News-Journal editorial had to say about an amendment specifically permitting capital punishment in one Constitution. In addition to age and mental condition, other factors may cause people to oppose capital punishment. Some fear that wrongly convicted people might be put to death. In fact, scientific advances in DNA testing have already proven cases of mistaken identity involving prisoners. A recent newspaper story told of one man who was freed from prison after his innocence was proven through DNA evidence. While a strong case may exist for abolishing capital punishment, consider arguments of those in favor of the death penalty. One might believe that some criminals are beyond rehabilitation, and taxpayers should not bear the costs of keeping them alive in prison. Think, also, of the victims – and their families and friends – whose lives were forever changed by crime. Might executing those responsible help the victims feel justice is being done? Yet another reason is a widespread belief that the death penalty acts as a deterrent for would-be criminals. More capital punishment articles Outbursts a tactic for appeal Judge gives terminally ill killer life sentence Try these interesting activities using The News-Journal! 1. On May 16, 2001, terrorist bomber Timothy McVeigh is scheduled to die by lethal injection. McVeigh was sentenced to death for killing 168 men, women and children in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Controversy surrounding the scheduled execution of McVeigh, caused not only by the severity of his crime but by the debate over whether to publicly air his execution, is commanding a lot of media attention. Check your newspaper for articles and other information about McVeigh's execution. How significant might this event seem 100 or so years from now? Imagine you are a writer in that future time. As the author of a history textbook, write a summary of the event as it might appear in your book. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.6, SS.A.1.2.1, SS.A.1.2.3)
2. McVeigh is currently 32 years old. Use newspapers and other resources to determine the average life expectancy of an American male. Then, suppose that instead of the death penalty, McVeigh had been sentenced to life in prison-without possibility of parole. According to statistics, how many years might he be expected to live behind prison walls? Use reference materials (perhaps including the Web link (Why not just give the address?).vast array of information, as cited below to find how much per year it costs to keep someone in prison, and how much it costs to perform an execution. Estimate the cost of keeping McVeigh alive in prison, and compare that figure to the projected cost of an execution. (Sunshine State Standards: MA.A.3.2.2, MA.A.3.2.3, MA.B.1.2.2, MA.B.2.2.1, MA.B.3.2.1, MA.E.3.2.1, MA.E.3.2.2) 3. Criminals often achieve notoriety, but at what cost? Would you rather be notorious for committing a savage crime, or respected for a great deed or invention? From your newspaper, select and read an article about a person who is being honored for a worthy deed or accomplishment. Imagine you are celebrating such an event, and draw a picture of yourself receiving a prestigious award for your achievements. (Sunshine State Standards: SS.C.2.2.2, SS.C.2.2.3, VA.A.1.2.1) 4. Capital punishment is allowable under federal law as well as in 38 states. Suppose legislators wanted to change this or other laws. Look through your newspaper for examples of laws being questioned or revised. Then, select one law you would like to see changed. Design a full page newspaper ad promoting such a change. (Sunshine State Standards: SS.C.1.2.1, SS.C.2.2.1, SS.C.2.2.5) 5. How can you make your own views on capital punishment public-and how persuasive are you? Newspapers publish Letters to the Editor on many topics. Read the Letters to the Editor in your newspaper to familiarize yourself with that section. How successful were the authors in persuading you to share their viewpoint? If you feel strongly for or against capital punishment, write your own letter to the editor clearly stating your viewpoint. Check your newspaper to see if your letter gets published for others to read.Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.2.2.3, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.A.2.2.6, LA.B.1.2.1, LA.B.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.D.2.2.5) A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org. Check out these links to learn more: Criminals sentenced to die are kept in a special prison area called "Death Row." Find out facts about Florida's Death Row at the Florida Department of Corrections web site, where you can look at a roster of inmates, learn about their daily routine and even take a virtual tour of a Death Row cell.
Discover more arguments both for and against the death penalty, check out current execution methods and look at interactive maps by following the link to death penalty information. Find interesting statistics, such as the minimum age for the death penalty and how many juveniles are currently on Death Row, for Florida and other states. A vast array of information waits for you at that site's main page, as well-take a look at upcoming executions or the history of the death penalty, learn what it costs to keep someone in prison, or even test yourself with a death penalty quiz. Have you seen the movie "Dead Man Walking?" This Web site from WGBH public television's "Frontline" program is a treasure for those who want to know more about the real criminal case that inspired the movie. Check it out at Angel on Death Row. The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check some of them out, to see if they have recently published any articles on this topic. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries. Published April 30, 2001 |
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