Capital punishment has existed since ancient times. It was brought to America in 1608. Support reached a low in 1966 amidst changes to capital punishment laws and procedures in the 20th century. Proponents argue it deters crime, saves lives, and provides closure for families. However, others argue it is more costly than life imprisonment, risks executing innocent people, and fails to allow for rehabilitation. Both sides present compelling arguments on this complex issue.

1. Capital Punishment
History of Capital Punishment
 Capital Punishment, also known as the death penalty, has been around
since Eighteenth Century B.C
 King Hammaurabi made 25 differnet crimes punishable by death.
 Capital punishment moved to America in 1608 A.D. when captain
Kendall was executed.
 The death penalty had the most change during the 20th Century.
 Support for the death penalty reaches all time low in 1966.

2. Pro Death Penalty
A deterrent to those who might commit a crime.
 No one wants to die, so the death penalty being the punishment for murder
prevents murder
 The stronger the penalty for someone’s actions the greater deterrent

3. Pro Death Penalty continued
The Death Penalty saves lives
 By putting murderers to death you can save future lives.
 People will think twice about killing someone if they know that the death penalty
is the punishment.

4. Pro Death Penalty continued
Sense of conclusion the family feels
 Once a criminal is put to death the family can finally feel free of
the murderer who killed their loved one
 The safety and relief a family gets when the criminal is put to
death is far better than life in prison.

5. Pro Death Penalty continued
 Overcrowding in jails
 Overcrowding in jails has become a big problem recently.
 Criminals who’s crimes are considered to be of low danger are
having their sentences shortened to deal with jail overcrowding.
 By making the death penalty procedure faster you can help this
problem of jail overcrowding.
 Cost 27.5 billion tax payer dollars in 2011 to incarcerate this
many inmates.

6. No Death Penalty
 Cost of Putting someone to death
 Death penalty is 2.5 times more costly than to put someone in prison for life.
 Cost of multiple trials and the cost of appeals.
 The extra cost of putting someone to death gives the option of just putting
someone in prison without the possibility of parole.

7. No Death Penalty continued
 Putting someone to death who is innocent
 The chance of putting someone to death who is falsely accused.
 The chance of someone incorrectly accused being put to death
outweighs putting the right criminal to death
 Since 1973, one hundred thirty people have been released form death row
due to evidence that shows their wrongful conviction.

8. No Death Penalty continued
 Publicity of crime
 The publicity of a crime and the long trials that come with it cause more crimes.
 Life in Prison is more of a deterrent than the Death Penalty

9. No Death Penalty Continued
 Rehabilitation Failure
 By putting someone to death it does not give them time to acknowledge their mistakes.
 The murder does not have the ability to ask for forgiveness.
 Death of a murderer does not bring back a loved one.

10. Conclusion
 In conclusion both sides have strong arguments, and it is very
important to understand both sides of the argument before
you decide your stance on the topic.