The death penalty has been debated by civilizations throughout history.  What crimes, if any, are so heinous in nature as to justify killing another person and what system of justice can be created to prevent further killing are challenging questions.

While capital punishment has been banned throughout parts of the world, execution remains a legal option in many countries.  The United States, for example, executed 1,057 people from 1977 through 2006 primarily by means of lethal injection.  Those executions generally took place with popular support among Americans who believe that the most terrible crimes should receive the most terrible punishment.  Although not exclusive to murder - the death penalty can be applied for treason, espionage, and other crimes - the majority of cases involve the execution of people who have killed others.

Given the long-time divisive debate on this topic among philosophers, religious leaders, politicians, scientists, and the general public we've decided to devote our time and resources to fully explore the pros and cons of allowing the death penalty.

Pro
Proponents of capital punishment say it is an important tool for preserving law and order and that the death penalty deters additional crime thereby saving innocent lives.

They argue that the death penalty costs less than life imprisonment because it prevents needing to house and feed the criminal for so many years and that life - even in prison - is a privilege that some people should not have.

They believe that retribution or "an eye for an eye" is often the most appropriate action becase some crimes are so horrible and some criminals so callous that execution is the only way to prevent future tragedy.

Con
Opponents of capital punishment say it has no deterrent effect on crime and wrongly gives governments the power to take human life making them no better than the murderers they execute.

They argue that serving a lifetime jail sentence is a worse punishment than death, and that life imprisonment costs less than capital punishment because death penalty cases are expensive to prosecute and usually result in numerous appeals.

They believe the death penalty perpetuates social injustices by disproportionately targeting people of color (racist) and people who cannot afford good attorneys (classist). They say it creates a system whereby innocent people are sometimes executed.

Reprinted with permission of ProCon.org