Capital Punishment as a Deterrent

There are two basic arguments favoring capital punishment. The first argument focuses on doing justice, on ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. The second argument emphasizes capital punishment as a deterrent to other members of the community who might commit crimes in the future.

Although the evidence in this country is confusing about the deterrent effect of capital punishment, some writers argue that the experience of other countries indicates that capital punishment can be quite effective in deterring certain kinds of crimes.

For example, Kaminsky (1985) talked about the situation in Saudi Arabia in which capital punishment is clearly prescribed for certain crimes. There is no long appeal process as in the United States. The prisoner is simply executed if found guilty. She noted that people in that country applaud their syst

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Category: Government - C