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Natalia Johansen
Laurie Oberg
English 11
11, November 2015
The Death Penalty and Deterrence
There are mechanisms to stop prohibited behavior, whether it be in a household to school. The
Death Penalty is a form of punishment that may influence others to refrain from murdering because the
consequence is so severe. The death penalty is meant for retribution, deterrence, and punishment.
Deterrence means that a criminal decides not to commit a crime due to the fear of punishment and/or
death. The main factor that deters crime are executions but during the last few years the amount of
executions have declined. The death penalty is also not proved to be the most effective way at deterring
crime because other countries which do not have it are just as effective at keeping deaths at a minimum.
According to a variety of people the death penalty deters crime. Robert Tanner from the
Washington post says, They count between three and 18 lives that would be saved by the execution of
each convicted killer.(Tanner) There are so many lives that could be saved for every convict that is killed
under the death penalty. It specifically states that it is the executions that make the difference when it
comes to deterrence. A study by an Emory University professor concludes, "_ speeding up executions
would strengthen the deterrent effect. For every 2.75 years cut from time spent on death row, one murder
would be prevented."(Emory University) This shows that the execution is the one that would make a
difference in the case of deterring murder. Executions from the death penalty have made criminals shy
away from killing.
The death penalty is only effective if there is an execution that takes place. As from the studies
above the execution was the one to make a difference as to the rate of deterrence. The death penalty,
however, is not ideal in that there are not frequently occurring executions taking place in the modern day.
From 2011 to 2015 the united States have had 1605 executions take place out of 15150 people on death
row. Less and less executions are taking place each year due to the lessening popularity of the idea. In

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2014 there were 35 executions and in 2015 there were 25 executions. (Death Penalty Information Center)
Shown most prominently is from 2009 with 52 executions compared to the 25 in 2015. (Death Penalty
Information Center) With less executions taking place each year the death penalty is not deterring crime
as it did before and becoming less effective.
Countries without capital punishment are just as effective at deterring crime as the countries that
dont use capital punishment. Jimmy carter wrote, "One argument for the death penalty is that it is a
strong deterrent to murder and other violent crimes. In fact, evidence shows just the opposite. The
homicide rate is at least five times greater in the United States than in any Western European country, all
without the death penalty.(Carter) This shows that not even execution is the best at deterring crime.
Other countries prove that the death penalty is not needed to be more influential on the amount of killing.
The tests that the opposing side make does not include other forms of deterring crime and there is no
control to go off of, Nor can it be ignored that not a single reputable study has yet to demonstrate the
death penalty to be a more effective deterrent to murder than alternative legal sanctions..."(Emory
University) Though the death penalty reduces some murders there is no other ways that have been tried
out to see whether it is the most effective way.
In conclusion the death penalty itself does not deter crime as it used to and the rate of executions
has gone down dramatically. It is not as effective as it could be and there is no evidence to prove it is
more effective than other methods. Since there is much debate over whether to keep the Death Penalty, it
is important to keep in mind what it is used for and if it is regulating the desired amount of crime. The
data presented is valuable to determine the efficacy of Capital Punishment presented in the United States.

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Works Cited

Carter, Jimmy. Show Death Penalty the Door. Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Death Penalty Information Center
NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Tanner, Robert. Studies Say Death Penalty Deters Crime. The Associated Press.

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