Some argue that society, by punishing murderers with death, becomes complicit in murder itself. Consequently, it suggests that life imprisonment is a superior alternative for punishing killers. I partially disagree with this statement as it overlooks other critical considerations such as victim justice.
On the one hand, a life sentence allows prisoners opportunity for rehabilitation. Individuals may undergo significant personal changes which may potentially lead to them contributing positively to society. Furthermore, life imprisonment avoids moral dilemmas associated with death penalty as it aligns more with the idea that society values all human life, even those of convicted criminals. Additionally, many people consider death penalties to be inhumane and cruel. There is also a risk of executing innocent individuals due to wrongful convictions, which, though rare, are a possible occurrence.
On the other hand, life imprisonment could be a financial burden as facilities have to be maintained, guards have to be paid, and prisoners have to be fed. Instead, these funds could be allocated to more positive uses such as improving healthcare and education systems. Besides, there are risks of potential escape or parole, which would lead to an increase in public crime and cause distress and make the victims’ families feel unsafe. In addition, some would consider life sentences to lack justice as they do not fully address the taking of a human life. Also, death sentences remove dangerous criminals from society permanently, thereby preventing future crimes by the same person. Likewise, death penalties would create a sense of fear among people due to the awareness that they could meet the same fate if they commit the crime. Moreover, the argument that society becomes a ‘murderer’ due to the execution of a killer is often countered by distinguishing between unlawful act and lawful punishment. Death penalty is sometimes invoked as a proportionate response to murder, justified by the concept of “an eye for an eye”.
To conclude, while life sentences offer a morale and rehabilitation advantages, the death penalty is seen by some as a necessary and proportionate form of justice.