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Death Penalty

Ella Meeks

Salt Lake Community College

Criminal Justice 1010

Michael Cupello

11/03/2023
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Abstract

This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of the death penalty, addressing alternatives,

emotional and psychological impacts on victims' families, and the financial costs associated with

capital punishment. The examination reveals the profound complexities and ethical dilemmas

embedded in the death penalty discourse, urging a thoughtful reevaluation of societal approaches

to severe crimes.
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Death Penalty

Introduction

In the ongoing debate over the death penalty, the three central themes of alternatives to

the death penalty, the emotional and psychological impact on victims' families, and the financial

costs associated with the death penalty have ignited discussions and controversies that resonate

deeply within the criminal justice system and society at large. The multifaceted nature of these

topics reflects the profound complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of the death

penalty in contemporary society. The choices made in this context have far-reaching

consequences, not only for those immediately affected but for the moral compass of our justice

system. This essay delves into these key aspects of the death penalty, exploring their advantages,

disadvantages, and the implications they hold for the individuals involved and society as a

whole.

Alternatives to the Death Penalty

In the ongoing debate over the death penalty, the discussion on alternatives to execution,

such as life imprisonment without parole, plays a significant role. "Lethal injection is the most

widely-used method of execution, but states still authorize other methods, including

electrocution, gas chamber, hanging, and firing squad" ("Methods of Execution," 2014).

However, due to challenges in securing the drugs typically used in lethal injections, some states

now allow alternative methods if lethal injection cannot be performed. Controversies

surrounding the method to be used have delayed executions in many states, contributing to an

overall decline in the use of the death penalty ("Methods of Execution," 2014).

One of the concerns surrounding lethal injection is the potential for botched executions,

as exemplified by the case of Angel Diaz in Florida. "Condemned prisoners who are killed by
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lethal injection may often suffocate while still conscious and be aware of what is happening to

them, shows a new analysis of data on US executions. The analysis provides new evidence that

the punishment may be cruel and unusual and thus unconstitutional.… Mr Diaz, who took 34

minutes to die while wincing, shuddering, and gasping for air, was later found to have 30 cm

burns on both antecubital fossae. Florida's medical examiner concluded that the drugs had been

delivered subcutaneously rather than intravenously" (Harding, 2007). Such instances have raised

questions about the humaneness and reliability of lethal injection as a method of execution.

Conversely, life imprisonment without parole is presented as a more humane alternative.

"Contrary to the conventional wisdom that Americans wholeheartedly support the death penalty,

the latest national opinion poll released in conjunction with this report shows that more people in

this country would prefer alternative sentences that guarantee both protection and punishment

over the death penalty. Death penalty support becomes a minority opinion when the public is

presented with a variety of alternative sentences. Most Americans, however, are unaware that the

length of imprisonment embodied in these alternatives is now the norm almost everywhere in the

country" (Dieter, 1993). For some, this alternative offers a chance for rehabilitation and personal

growth during incarceration, providing a potential path to reintegration into society, albeit after a

significant period of time.

The debate over these alternatives reflects the complexity of the death penalty issue, with

considerations of ethics, cost, and the potential for rehabilitation playing a crucial role in shaping

public opinion and policy decisions. Central to this complexity are the ethical dimensions. The

death penalty triggers profound moral and philosophical debates, pitting the principles of human

rights and the right to life against the notions of justice and retribution. These ethical dilemmas

raise fundamental questions about societal values and priorities. The financial considerations add
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another layer of complexity. The death penalty often entails substantial costs due to lengthy legal

processes, while life imprisonment without parole tends to be less expensive. This financial

aspect prompts questions about the justifiable allocation of public resources. The potential for

rehabilitation adds further nuance. Life imprisonment without parole allows for personal growth

and redemption during incarceration, raising questions about second chances and a more

rehabilitative correctional system.

Emotional and Psychological Impact on Victims' Families

The emotional and psychological impact of the death penalty extends not only to the

individuals directly involved but also to their families, creating profound and often overlooked

consequences. The sheer magnitude of the emotional burden borne by victims' families is

staggering. "Beyond its direct impact, homicide has serious negative effects on the lives of

surviving family members, particularly children. Psychological effects include anxiety,

depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, aggression, guilt and a heightened sense of

vulnerability. Socio-occupational effects include problems in school and at work. Homicide may

also lead families to incur expenses they can ill afford, such as funeral costs and lawyer fees. If

the victim was a breadwinner, families may no longer be able to cope financially. Homicide can

generate a sense of insecurity in society, and when high rates occur in countries with weak,

inefficient and corrupt criminal justice systems, can contribute to undermining social and

economic development" (World Health Organization, 2019).

The emotional toll on these secondary victims of homicide is immeasurable. For the

families of death row inmates, the suffering is unique, characterized by disenfranchised grief and

intense psychological trauma. In states with a high rate of executions like Texas, where an

execution occurs approximately every two weeks, this trauma becomes a pervasive issue. Yet, it
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remains largely unknown to the therapeutic community. "The family members of death row

inmates undergo unique suffering that includes disenfranchised grief and intense psychological

trauma. In Texas, where executions occur at a rate of one every two weeks, this class of trauma

victims presumably is large: a fact that should generate public mental health concern. Yet, the

class remains virtually unknown to the therapeutic community. Very little has been done to

address the trauma healing needs of death row families" (Long, 2010).

Furthermore, family members of victims often grapple with the complex emotions

surrounding the death penalty itself. For some, like Ryan Petty, whose daughter was a victim of

the 2018 Parkland shooting, the death penalty may represent a form of justice and closure. He

expressed, "If you can't get the death penalty for killing 17 in a school, I don't know what you

can get the death penalty for." On the other hand, Rhonda Whitelock, a friend of a victim, stated,

"Somebody like him shouldn't be able to breathe the air that we breathe... The nightmares might

end if he's gone." The emotional conflict within victims' families highlights the profound impact

the death penalty has on their lives.

In some cases, when executions are carried out, family members of victims find a sense

of closure. Tony and Laura Vann, whose mother was brutally killed, expressed, "The execution

has given us some closure." However, these emotions are far from uniform, and the emotional

journey for victims' families is complex and deeply personal, with differing perspectives on the

death penalty's role in their healing process. The emotional and psychological impact of the

death penalty reverberates through the lives of both victims' families and those on death row,

shaping their experiences and perspectives in profound ways.

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Financial Costs Associated with the Death Penalty

The cost of the death penalty is a significant aspect of the debate surrounding its use,

encompassing expenses related to legal proceedings and the maintenance of death row facilities.

These costs not only raise financial concerns but also have broader implications for the allocation

of resources within the criminal justice system.

“An Ohio newspaper concluded in 2014 that Ohio spends nearly $17 million per year on

costs associated with the death penalty. A New Jersey study conducted in 2005 reported that the

state had spent $11 million per year on the death penalty… it costs significantly more to try a

capital case to final verdict than to try the same case as an aggravated murder case where the

penalty sought is life without possibility of parole” (Collins, 2016). That report also found that

death penalty cases generated roughly $470,000 more in defense and prosecution costs than

trying the same cases without the death penalty. They concluded that appellate defense for such

cases averaged $100,000 more than non-death penalty murder cases, with personal restraint

petitions in capital cases averaging an additional cost of $137,000 in public defense costs.

The state of California is not an exception when it comes to the high expenses of

incarceration. The Legislative Analyst's Office highlights that it costs an average of about

$106,000 per year to incarcerate an inmate in prison in California, with a significant portion

allocated to security and inmate health care. These costs have increased dramatically over the

years, indicating the growing financial burden of maintaining prison facilities. The COVID-19

pandemic also contributed to higher costs in recent years.

Comparative studies across different states further emphasize the cost disparities between

capital punishment and life imprisonment. The cost of each death penalty trial was estimated at

$1.4 million, while the cost of life imprisonment for 40 years in noncapital cases was

significantly lower, at $602,000. Florida's estimates indicate that the true cost of each execution
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is approximately $3.2 million, nearly six times the cost of keeping an individual in prison for

life. These comparisons highlight the overwhelming financial burden associated with capital

punishment, often exceeding the costs of life imprisonment ("Capital Punishment or Life

Imprisonment? Some Cost Considerations | Office of Justice Programs). In conclusion, the

financial costs of the death penalty are substantial, encompassing legal expenses and the

maintenance of death row facilities. These costs raise questions about the economic efficiency of

the death penalty compared to life imprisonment without parole. The data reveals a significant

financial strain on the criminal justice system, prompting a reevaluation of resource allocation

and the overall cost-effectiveness of capital punishment.

Conclusion

The death penalty stands as one of the most contentious issues within the criminal justice

system, raising profound ethical questions and challenging society's financial resources. As

we've explored the alternatives to the death penalty, the emotional impact on victims' families,

and the financial costs associated with capital punishment, it becomes evident that the debate

extends far beyond the boundaries of the courtroom. It touches the hearts and minds of countless

individuals, from victims' families seeking closure to those advocating for more humane and

cost-effective alternatives. The complexity of the death penalty issue calls for a thoughtful

reevaluation of the way society addresses its most severe crimes. The potential for rehabilitation,

the profound emotional suffering, and the financial burdens demand that we carefully weigh the

moral, psychological, and economic implications of our choices. As we navigate this intricate

landscape, the enduring question remains: Can a system that balances justice, compassion, and

fiscal responsibility be forged from the fires of this debate? Only time and society's collective

wisdom will tell. In the meantime, the death penalty issue continues to shape the conscience of
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our legal and ethical systems, as we grapple with the ever-present tension between retribution

and redemption.
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References

Capital punishment or life imprisonment? Some cost considerations | Office of Justice Programs.

Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/capital-punishment-or-life-imprisonme

nt-some-cost-considerations

Collins, P., Boruchowitz, R., & Hickman, M. (2016). An Analysis of the Economic Costs of

Seeking the Death Penalty in Washington State. Seattle Journal for Social Justice.

Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1832&context=sjsj

Dieter, R. C. (1993). Sentencing for Life: Americans Embrace Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Supreme Court. Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/URLs_Cited/OT2007/07-5439/07-5439_5.pdf

Harding, A. (2007). Some executed US prisoners may have suffocated. BMJ, 334(7600),

920.3-920. Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39199.648993.db
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How much does it cost to incarcerate an inmate?. Legislative Analyst’s office. Retrieved

November 18, 2023, from

https://www.lao.ca.gov/PolicyAreas/CJ/6_cj_inmatecost

Long, W. C. (2010). Trauma therapy for death row families. PREPRINT - Texas after violence.

Texas After Violence. Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://texasafterviolence.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Trauma-Therapy-for-Death-R

ow-Families.pdf

Methods of Execution. (2014). Supremecourt.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/URLs_Cited/OT2020/20-287/20-287-1.pdf

World Health Organization. (2019). Homicide WHO Global Health Estimates (2019 update).

World Health Organization. Retrieved November 18, 2023, from

https://apps.who.int/violence-info/homicide/

https://ellameeks.weebly.com/
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Assignment Reflection Questions:

What assumptions have you made (outside of the research information evaluated)?
● Identify any personal or pre-existing assumptions you had about the death
penalty or its alternatives before conducting your research.
Are those assumptions valid?
● Reflect on whether your assumptions were valid or if your research
challenged or changed your perspective.
Do you need to investigate more facts and data?
● Discuss whether there are areas where further research or data collection is
needed to provide a more complete understanding of the death penalty issue
and its alternatives.
Does the conclusion you came to make sense?
● Evaluate the logical consistency of your conclusion in light of the evidence
and arguments you presented in your paper.
Does the information researched and your assumptions support the conclusion? If so,
why? If not, why not?
● Explain how the information and your assumptions either support or
challenge the conclusion you've drawn.
Did you ask the right questions? Did you ask enough questions?
● Reflect on your research process and whether you framed the right questions
and conducted thorough research on the death penalty and its related issues.
Was there more than one possible conclusion? If so, did you pick the right one from the
facts and data?
● Consider alternative conclusions that could be drawn from the evidence and
discuss whether your chosen conclusion is the most valid based on the
available information.
How has this assignment shaped or changed your perspective concerning the issue?

● Discuss how the research process and findings have influenced your
perspective on the death penalty and its alternatives, including any shifts in
your viewpoint.

By addressing these components and reflection questions, you will create a comprehensive and
well-structured paper that explores various aspects of the death penalty issue while also critically
examining your own assumptions and conclusions. Be sure to use credible sources and adhere to
APA formatting guidelines throughout your paper.
● What assumptions have you made (outside of the research information

evaluated)?

○ Are those assumptions valid?

I assumed that the death penalty is a multifaceted issue, and my assumptions are valid based on

extensive research and discussions.

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● Do you need to investigate more facts and data?

I don't need to investigate more facts and data; the existing research is comprehensive.

● Does the conclusion you came to make sense?

The conclusion makes sense, as it synthesizes the information and my assumptions logically.

● Does the information researched, and your assumptions support the conclusion?

○ If so, why? If not, why not?

The information researched and my assumptions align to support the conclusion, as they are

grounded in evidence.

● Did you ask the right questions?

I asked relevant questions, but there could always be more.

● Did you ask enough questions?

I asked relevant questions, but there could always be more.

● Was there more than one possible conclusion?

○ If so, did you pick the right one from the facts and data?

There were multiple possible conclusions, but I believe I selected the most reasonable one based

on the facts and data.

● How has this assignment shaped or changed your perspective concerning the

issue?

This assignment reinforced my understanding of the complexities surrounding the death penalty

issue and the profound impact it has on society.