In the New York Times editorial "High Cost of Death Row" the editor points out that the death penalty is more expensive than an inmate sentenced to life without parole. Not only does the editor state his position of the death penalty being morally wrong he also catches the attention of those that are concerned more about politics versus beliefs. He mentions different states and the millions of dollars that are used towards an execution, and then stating that those funds would be more effective applied to other programs. The editor also refers to information obtained from "Death Penalty Information Center, a research organization that opposes capital punishment," and how some legislators are giving the allocated funds for capital punishment. As Americans we follow the Constitution to make sure the inmate is given a fair due process. The process of capital punishment consumes more funds with the pre-trial, trial, and appeals than with an inmate sentenced to life without parole.
The death penalty is a severe action taken by the state to determine the prisoner's justice. Executing the criminal is a long process thatis expensive for the state along with time consuming. I can understand how some feel 'an eye for an eye" and others feel that we should not decide when someone is put to death. I am in agreement with the editor that the funds that are used to execute a criminal are better used elsewhere; somewhere that will be beneficial for the state. We devote time and money to violent inmates to determine their fate. The inmate committed the violent acts and I believe executing someone should not be an option. Justice for the criminal would have them isolated in solitary confinement for the rest of their life without parole. Yes tax payers would still be spending money on the term the criminal is incarcerated, but not as extreme as the amount for executing them.
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While I do agree with Marsha on the fact that it does cost a lot of money to successfully execute someone, I do not agree with her proposed solution. Some inmates do spend years on death row attempting to appeal their case. Obviously this burns up a lot of money not only dealing with the appeals process but also housing the inmate.
I completely agree with the "eye for an eye" sentiment. I think these criminals shouldn't be allowed to sit on death row for so long. That would solve the money problem. Execute them within months of the trial. I do understand that according to the Constitution everyone should be given a fair chance. However, if we're discussing death row inmates only, then my contention is that the criminal lost his or her chance. If they did something bad enough to be sentenced to death then they do not deserve their "fair due process". Obviously this system is somewhat flawed. There are certain times when a man on death row will be found innocent after new DNA evidence. However, the vast majority of these people are guilty and do not deserve the life they have been given.
On the extreme end, maybe we should just throw them on an island somewhere and let them fend for themselves. This way they would not be wasting tax dollars and they would be given some form of "life without parole".
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