Death Penalty

Death Penalty

Good Life

2. History/ Modern methods (Ashley)

The death penalty, which is often referred to as “capital punishment”, is a form of retribution to ensure that an individual cannot commit future crimes, and as a deterrent for potential crimes. (Wisegeek.com/deathpenalty) The death penalty is a controversial topic because people feel that “capital punishment” is wrong while others believe in an “eye for an eye”. The first form of the death penalty was created in the eighteenth century B.C. From the eighteenth century up to about the fifth century B.C. the death penalty was used as a punishment for all crimes. The death penalty punishments at the time consisted of crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive and impalement. As time progressed rulers decided to change the way the death penalty was enforced. In the eleventh century William the Conqueror only allowed for people who committed murder to be hung, otherwise they would be sent to prison. In many societies the death penalty is viewed as a way to bring closure to any people harmed by the criminal’s action. As time progressed the death penalty became a way to discourage people from committing more severe crimes while jail became a way to instill fear in “minor” criminals. (Wisegeek.com/dealthpeanlty)

Countries around the world all have a different view on the death penalty and how it should be enforced. In the Middle Eastern countries sexual crimes including rape, sodomy, or even adultery are all crimes punishable by the death penalty. Certain regions of some countries view religious crimes, drug trafficking and human trafficking as crimes punishable by the death penalty. The military in many countries also feel that crimes such as insubordination and treason should be punishable by the death penalty. In western countries that still practice forms of capital punishment usually reserve the death penalty for crimes such as murder, espionage, or treason. Early forms of...