Death Is Not the Answer

Crime and punishment is a hot button topic in the United States. Progressives and conservatives alike cannot agree with themselves or their opponents on the proper ways to handle crime. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a fierce proponent of some serious criminal justice reform. In part, many of it has to do with what the documentary 13th is talking about. The fact is, our criminal justice system is designed to set people up for failure and there is seldom opportunity to redeem oneself once you have become part of the system.

But what I want to talk about specifically is my opposition to the death penalty. In the political spectrum, it is typically conservatives who support it (ironically...) and liberals who oppose it. However, of course, as with all aspects of the spectrum, there is occasional variations on these belief systems.

I oppose the death penalty for two very practical reasons. One is the possibility of inaccuracy in conviction. The second reason is due to the taxpayer burden (cost).

Inaccuracy of Convictions

Perhaps if we lived in a just world, I might support the death penalty. But we don't. Prosecutors often play foul in order to make their cases and many times, they coerce people into guilt. There are several unethical accounts of prosecutor misconduct and it is very hard to beat the system.

The Central Park Five is one of the most chilling examples of prosecutor misconduct and wrongful conviction.

Yes, you better believe that the death penalty disproportionately targets people of color. Simply put, our criminal justice system as a whole targets people of color, so naturally our death penalty will do the same. More often than not, someone tried by criminal court is unlikely to have the means available to defend themselves adequately against the system.

Just look at the figures of people wrongfully convicted in the United States.

The innocence project details how wrongful conviction affects people of color.

If you are in a pro-death penalty stance, you need to ask yourself some key critical questions: What if you were wrongfully convicted? What if it was your loved one? Then, how would you feel? Can YOU beat the system?

Taxpayer Burden

Even if you don't give a shit about human beings, you must consider the taxpayer burden related to the death penalty.

Here is an analysis of some of the costs we put into taking away lives by the State.

Ask yourself some key critical question, How could the money spent funding the death penalty be used to better our communities?

My stance to the death penalty is to the very extreme on the anti. Even if I myself am murdered, I do not want the prosecutors or the jury to push for the death penalty! I don't believe that the system is fair, useful or practical.

What is your stance on the death penalty?

Much love,
ArchAngel O:)