What are some reasons why the death penalty is in place?

Question

Do people think it helps stop the crime rate?

Answer 1

To help deter other criminals from committing violent crimes, and to deliver the ultimate punishment to the worst offenders.

Answer 2

Good question. It may have something to do with a frontier mentality.

Also, judging from some of the answers before mine, many people do not realize how much more expensive the death penalty is than life in prison.

Some people do not know that the death penalty is not effective in deterring others. Crime rates are higher in states and regions with the death penalty than in those without it.

Some people do not know that life without parole is now available in 48 states (all but New Mexico and Alaska) and that it means exactly what it says.

Answer 3

The same reason that Jerry Springer gets ratings that keep him on the air year-after-year.

The same reason that Paris, Britney and Lindsay are more "newsworthy" than real issues.

The same reason that television keeps coming up with more nauseating reality shows like the HOgans, The Kardashians, the Hills, the Heights, Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, Shot of Love, etc.

Because the majority of our society is base and the base is unenlightened.

If the intent of the death penalty as a deterrent is inherently flawed in the fact that it has not deterred people from continuing to commit capital offenses. Never has and never will.

Answer 4

To show no mercy against criminals, keep society from being endangered by returning murderers, rapists, etc. Save money from killing them by lethal injections and not keeping them in prison having to pay for food, time kept in cell etc. And its a 50\50 chance that it could decrease crime because then people would fear to be put to death after committing a crime, although some will think of it as an easy way out, other than having to stay in jail for the rest of there lives.

Answer 5

I don't care whether or not it deters crime, but I know it stops convicted felons from committing more crimes. If your dead you can't commit another crime. And, as opposed to lifetime sentences it saves taxpayers a lot of money. And no, it does not take more money to execute someone than it does to keep them alive in prison for 30 to 40 years.

Answer 6

The death penalty is in place because it is an effective deterrent, and giving someone life in prison is a waste of taxpayer money.

Answer 7

I could give a flying whatever if it stops crime or not.
I want the murderers to suffer in agonizing torment just like the people they killed.
http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/saudi/briefing/8.html
I wish America's death penalty was like Saudi Arabia's.

Answer 8

Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth makes no sense. What do we do to flashers, for example? Pay governmnet employees to jump out in frontof them with no clothes?

Answer 9

some people were born with a defect in thier brains that makes them do things that most average joe's don't, if they are so ill in the head that punishment like jail doesn't work then it's best for everyone that thier life is ended including the individual ie if someone attacks people and is inprisoned for a long period of time but say when they get out they will do it again, then this is someone that can not be helped they are sick. it's like putting down your pet when thay loose their mind.

Answer 10

Not 100%. because obviously people still commit messed up crimes.
But thats one less sick person we have on the face of the earth, and i think it should be enforced on petaphiles as well.