Introduction To The Death Penalty:

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The questions is whether the death penalty constitutes a cruel and unusual punishment.

Those who support the death penalty often argue that some crimes are so heinous and so cruel that the only way to get justice is through the death penalty. It is argued that the only way to give families of victims of these types of crimes closure is through the death penalty.Proponents also argue that some that some prisoners are so dangerous that the death penalty actually protects other prisoners and guards from these criminals. They are isolated in special wings of the prison away from the general prison population and eventually removed from the face of the earth. Lastly they argue that the death penalty works as a deterrent for future murders. Criminals may think twice before committing such terrible acts if they know they may be put to death if caught.

Those who are against the death penalty sometimes do so on moral and religious grounds.They believe that it is not the states place to take human life and that it is god alone who can make such judgement. Under this view they believe that all life is sacred and that by taking the life of a murderer you've only caused others to become murderers. The death penalty cannot change the number of murderers on the earth, in fact in some cases it will only in crease that number of murderers. They ask "dothe 12 jury members and the executioner who put someone to death become murderers?" Opponents also argue that the system is imperfect and we will sentence and execute innocent people. They don't believe there is any acceptable level of error. What is an acceptable margin or error 1% or 10%. Lastly they argue that the system itself is unfair and is biased against African Americans.

Instructions:

1. Watch the video below.
2. Answer the following two questions:
3. Why do you think the United States still uses the death penalty when so many developed democratic nations have banned it?
4. Do you believe the Death Penalty brings closure to murder victims loved ones?
5. Do you think the U.S. should continue to use the Death Penalty or do you believe it should be abolished? Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltuOU1A8Sk&feature=youtu.be