Another belief is that it would be cheaper to execute murderers than to keep them in prison for life. Aside from being callous, this is also a myth. Since those who are sentenced to death are almost exclusively poor, years of appeals with court appointed attorneys occupy expensive court time with prosecutors, judges and a host of other judicial support employees. A life imprisonment sentence would protect society from the criminal just as well as a death sentence, and we could keep the extra tax dollars and our humanity in the same pocket. As Americans, we pride ourselves as the humanitarians of the world and place the sanctity of life among our highest values.
Capital punishment fails in all areas of necessity, deterrence and justification.
Let the death penalty die and allow our humanity to live. Copyright 1997 by the Iowa State Daily Publications Board. All rights reserved. No redistribution without the express written consent of the Iowa State Daily Editor in Chief.