Tinkering with Death: Why Capital Punishment Is a Problem and Not a Solution - Essay Example

Running Head: THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION OF “CRUEL AND UNUSUAL punishment” AND THE DEATH PENALTY THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION OF “CRUEL AND UNUSUAL punishment” AND THE DEATH PENALTY By Abstract In the international sphere, the death penalty is losing its ground in a substantial number of countries, especially first world countries, which have outlawed it.... Often, death penalty cases find their way into the halls of the US Supreme Court by invoking unconstitutionality as a ground, particularly the “cruel and unusual” punishment clause of the 8th Amendment....

However, the report on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib describes that soldiers deemed to have the power to impose cruel and ruthless punishment on the detainees in order to make them speak out.... Many of them were bruised, slashed and even shot to death.... Accusations against abusing the prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq war created a worldwide reaction through the media....

On the contrary, capital punishment is not vital for a government looking into the wellbeing of the individuals of the English society (Bodden 11).... The punishment is also an effective way of hindering young people from growing to be thugs (More 11).... hellip; Rulers view capital punishment on the thieves as the best way of imposing punishment on those who steal.... Problems of the English society The immorality of capital punishment for theft capital punishment concerning theft refers to punishment subjecting a thief to death....

However, there are issues of capital punishment; where people are sentenced to death usually as a result of committing murder in the first degree i.... In such a situation, the handing of such a ruling is meant to send an unequivocal message to the rest of the society of the kind of punishment they could get if they committed similar crimes thereby deterring them from trying to commit any similar crimes (Ogalthorpe et al, 2006).... the culprit committed premeditated murder and the sentence is often life sentence or a death sentence depending on the country in question....

hellip; In this paper, the researcher is challenged to explore the correlation of the medical profession with ethical concerns viz-a-viz issues relating to chemical castration to capital punishment.... It's even viewed as an alternative to penalties that will cover reclusion perpetual to the death penalty (Rondeaux, 2006; Bradford, 1993; de Sweeper-Ba, 1993)....

Additionally, four major goals are emphasized in the modern prison and punishment sector which include retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation.... risons are intended to serve four distinct functions: punishment, deterrence, ensuring public safety and security, and rehabilitation of a criminal offender (Flynn 1998).... hellip; ver, there is significant data illustrating that prison are not meeting a substantial reduction in recidivism rates (re-offending), raising questions as to why it is the predominant method of punishing criminal activity. ...

However, the report on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib describes that soldiers deemed to have the power to impose cruel and ruthless punishment on the detainees in order to make them speak out.... This literature review "Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib" discusses acceptable foreign and military policies that must be implemented....

To better understand the extent of the problem it is important to examine the historical antecedents and public policies that have led to the current impasse.... Then with a grasp of the problem offer some suggestion to provide relief.... The problem crosses racial lines and is endemic across much of the country.... As the cycle is self perpetuating it is ill advised for policy makers to simply turn a blind eye because it will not solve the problem....