GCJSPP6

PAPER PROSPECTUS 2

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Introduction:

For many years, the use of the death penalty has been a contentious topic. Supporters claim that it acts as deterrence to crime and brings closure to the families of victims, while detractors claim that it is an inefficient and brutal form of punishment (Boateng & Dzordzormenyoh, 2022). The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of capital punishment and explore its ethical and moral implications in the criminal justice system. This paper will also examine the history of capital punishment and how it has evolved over time.

Background:

Capital punishment has been practiced in various forms throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. The use of the death penalty varies among countries, with some using it as a form of punishment for a range of crimes, while others restrict it to specific offenses such as murder. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards abolishing the death penalty, with many countries moving towards more humane forms of punishment. In the United States, capital punishment is legal in 27 states, and the federal government and the military also permit the use of the death penalty (Boateng & Dzordzormenyoh, 2022). However, the use of the death penalty has been declining in recent years, with a growing number of states abolishing it or placing a moratorium on its use. In 2020, only nine states carried out executions, and the total number of executions was the lowest in almost three decades. The trend towards abolition has been driven by concerns about the reliability of the criminal justice system, the risk of executing an innocent person, and the recognition that the death penalty is a costly and ineffective means of achieving justice (Harefa, 2020).

Argument:

This essay contends that the use of the death penalty as a form of punishment in the criminal justice system is unethical and immoral. First, it is irrevocable, and there is always a chance that an innocent person might be executed. The second reason is that the death penalty does not deter crime, as studies have shown that the threat of punishment is not a significant factor in deterring criminals (Rancourt et al., 2020). Finally, capital punishment is often applied unfairly, with minorities and the poor being disproportionately sentenced to death.

Comparative Analysis:

This essay will undertake a comparative examination of the usage of the death sentence in various nations, looking at how it affects crime rates, the efficiency of the criminal justice system, and the moral and ethical ramifications of its use (Verreycken, 2019). With an emphasis on the influence of the death sentence on these parameters, the analysis will compare the rates of crime and the efficiency of the criminal justice systems in various nations. Additionally, this paper will examine the reasons why some countries have abolished the death penalty and the impact that this decision has had on their criminal justice systems.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the use of the death penalty as a form of punishment in the criminal justice system is unethical and immoral. The execution of innocent persons is a frequent and irrevocable side effect of the death sentence. It does not deter crime, and its application is often biased against minorities and the poor. This paper has conducted a comparative analysis of countries that use capital punishment and those that do not, which shows that the death penalty is not a significant factor in reducing crime rates. As such, it is time for countries to move towards more humane forms of punishment, which focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution.

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