2. Capital punishment is a government-sanctioned action whereby a criminal is
put to death by the state as a punishment for their crime(s). The sentence
behind capital punishment is known as the death sentence, and the action
of carrying out the punishment is known as execution. A crime that results in
this sentence is referred to as a capital crime or a capital offence and
encompasses crimes such as genocide, espionage, murder and treason.
The term "capital" is derived from the Latin word capitalis and refers to
execution by beheading.
What is Capital Punishment?
3. EXECUTION METHODS
1. Lethal Injection - Lethal injection is the practice of injecting one or more
drugs into a person (typically a barbiturate, paralytic, and potassium
solution) for the express purpose of causing rapid death.
4. 2. Electrocution - An electric shock may directly cause death in three
ways: paralysis of the breathing center in the brain, paralysis of the heart, or
ventricular fibrillation (uncontrolled, extremely rapid twitching of the heart
muscle).
5. 3. Firing Squad - Firing squad is a form of execution usually reserved for
military personnel. Five or more soldiers line up side by side several feet
away, and each one aims their firearm directly at the prisoner’s heart. Upon
hearing a cue called out by a senior officer, all of the shooters fire
simultaneously.
6. 4. Hanging - Hanging is killing a person by suspending them from the neck
with a noose or ligature.
7. 5. Stoning - Stoning, or lapidation, is a method of capital punishment where
a group throws stones at a person until the subject dies from blunt trauma. It
has been attested as a form of punishment for grave misdeeds since
ancient times.
8. 6. Beheading - Beheading, a mode of executing capital punishment by
which the head is severed from the body.
9. Ethical issue with Capital
Punishment
The case against capital punishment is often made on the basis that society
has a moral obligation to protect human life, not take it. The taking of human
life is permissible only if it is a necessary condition to achieving the greatest
balance of good over evil for everyone involved.
10. Aspects of Capital Punishment
3 Positive Aspects of Capital Punishment
1. It's the ultimate crime deterrent.
2. It prevents repeat offences.
3. It helps control the prison population.
11. 3 Negative Aspects of Capital Punishment
1. It sends the wrong message.
2. There's a risk of wrongful convictions.
3. It lets some offenders off too lightly.
