Should the U.S. Continue to Use Capital Punishment?

When posed with the question "Should the U.S. continue to use capital punishment?" one should first look into several matters and weigh the consequences all around. Some of the issues that should be posed are "Could America live without the death penalty?", "Are there alternatives to deal with the types of criminals who are currently sentenced to death?", "Will it help or hurt our economy?" and "Would Americans be satisfied with these alternatives?" Many arguments can and will be used both for and against the death penalty. The question still remains, "Should the U.S. continue to use capital punishment?"

First of all, could America live without the death penalty? There are several stated that have done away with the death penalty and have found other means to deal with current capital offenders. These states include Hawaii, North Dakota, New York, Michigan and the District of Columbia among several others, theses states utilize either life in prison without the chance for parole or Life in prison with parole stipulations. Of the states that have used these alternatives state that it works as promised. (1-Death Penalty Information Center) According to a 2008 poll conducted in Colorado and presented by RBI Strategies & Research as well as the Gallup National poll Americans can live without the death penalty. (2-Death Penalty Information Center/RBI)

Next, are there alternatives to deal with the types of criminals who are currently sentenced to death? Many states offer either life in prison or life without parole as an alternative, however many jurors do not know the exact details of this option. In fact a recent study looked at every Georgia trial in which a death penalty was returned by a jury since 1973. In 70 of the 280 cases, the jurors interrupted their deliberations to try to determine how soon the defendant might be released if he were given a life sentence. In all the cases, the jurors' inquiries were rebuffed by the court and a death sentence was returned. [Id. at 334.] According to the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia, the issue of parole "arises in almost every capital sentencing trial." [Id. at 334, n.42.] (1-Death Penalty Information Center) However when it comes down to it states that offer only life in prison without parole have stated it works as promised. (1-Death Penalty Information Center) In fact in many of these states it has been stated "Life in prison is just that-life. Nearly a 100 lifers have served 20 years or more at Louisiana's State Penitentiary in Angola." (Louisiana), "The sentence means exactly what it says. You get carried out of the prison in a pine box as your only means of exit, Parole, good time, or other means of shortening the sentence are not available to people who have been convicted of a capital felony." After looking at these statements the conclusion can be made that yes there are other alternatives.

Third, will it help or hurt our economy? It has been reported by several states that they could save approximately $90,000 per death row inmate. (3-Death Penalty in 2008 Year end report) With a total of 3,309 death row inmates in the U.S.it leaves $297,810,000.00 in monetary resources to help prevent and solve crimes, increase education and other necessary state functions that otherwise is unavailable. According to this information by abolishing the death penalty we as U.S. citizens would benefit as would our economy.

Lastly, would Americans be satisfied with these alternatives? In 2008 the study by RBI in Colorado sited that

Colorado voters, closely mirroring national results, are evenly split between the death penalty and LWOP as proper punishment for capital crimes. When made aware of the number of unsolved murder cases, voters strongly favor dedicating $3 million per year in state resources to solve these crimes. A large majority of voters favor replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment in order to fund solving open-cases. (2-Death Penalty Information Center/RBI) Kathy Garcia, whose nephew was murdered 20 years ago, testifying before the Maryland Senate Judiciary Committee stated "I've watched too many families go through this to make me believe the system will ever work. The death penalty divides families at the very time they need each other the most.

Catholic News Service, Mar. 8, 2008. (3-Death Penalty in 2008 Year end report) Thus showing us that Americans can be satisfied with alternatives to the death penalty.

In conclusion, the true issue is "Should the U.S. continue to use capital punishment?" After asking and answering the former questions one can see that it is feasible to discontinue the use of capital punishment as Americans can live without the death penalty, there are acceptable alternatives, and it can help build and improve our economy. With this said I believe the answer to the current question is no the US should not continue to use capital punishment.