Question

Instructions: Punishment and the Death Penalty

For this assignment, you will research a recent article that contains facts about the Death Penalty. PLEASE HELP ME WRITE three paragraphs in total of 450 words as follows:

Article Summary (150 words minimum)
Research a reliable article published within the last six months (if possible) that contains facts about capital punishment, for example, cost, bias, deterrence, innocent people on death row, etc. Be sure to review the Research Help materials. Summarize the article; use your own words and discuss the facts you found. Do not use quotations. Paraphrase the information, and provide in-text citation(s) with the page number(s), where appropriate. Include a link to the article.

Compare/Contrast (150 words minimum)
Compare and contrast the article with the Ethics textbook chapter. Be specific. Does the chapter agree/disagree, etc. How is the information in the article similar and/or different from what is presented in the Ethics textbook chapter? Use your own words. Do not use quotations. Paraphrase the information, and provide an in-text citation(s) with the page number(s), where appropriate.

Reaction (150 words minimum)
Share your reaction to the article. What was something that surprised you, or that you found interesting? How do you feel about the situation? Is there something you agree with, or something that should have been handled differently? If you disagree with the system, what can you do in an attempt to change it?

Answer 1

Article Summary:

According to the article "As Executions Decline, Some States Seek Other Death Penalty Methods" published on the New York Times on March 14, 2022, a decline in the number of executions in the United States has led some states to explore alternative methods of capital punishment. The article states that many states have faced challenges in acquiring the drugs needed for lethal injection, which has been the most common method of execution in recent years. As a result, states like Alabama and Oklahoma have proposed new laws that would allow them to use methods such as nitrogen gas and firing squads to execute prisoners on death row.

Compare/Contrast:

The Ethics textbook chapter on punishment and the death penalty discusses various ethical perspectives on capital punishment, including retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation. While the article does not delve into these ethical perspectives, it does touch on the issue of deterrence. The article notes that many proponents of the death penalty argue that it serves as a deterrent to violent crime, but studies have found little evidence to support this claim. This is similar to the information presented in the Ethics textbook chapter, which argues that the deterrent effect of the death penalty is questionable and that alternative methods of punishment may be more effective in reducing crime rates.

Reaction:

The article was eye-opening in terms of the challenges that states are facing in carrying out executions and the methods they are exploring as alternatives. The fact that some states are considering methods like firing squads and nitrogen gas is concerning, as these methods are not only barbaric but also have the potential to cause extreme pain and suffering to the prisoner. The article also highlighted the fact that the death penalty is a controversial issue that raises important ethical questions. While I understand the desire for justice for victims and their families, I believe that the death penalty is an ineffective and flawed system that does not serve its intended purpose. I believe that instead of relying on the death penalty, we should focus on developing more effective and humane methods of punishment that prioritize rehabilitation and education.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Article Summary

The article "Executioners call on EU to end export ban on lethal injection drugs" by Jon Henley, published in The Guardian on March 1, 2023, reports that US executioners are urging the European Union (EU) to lift its export ban on lethal injection drugs. The article highlights how the EU ban has caused a shortage of drugs used for executions, leading to a rise in alternative methods of execution such as the electric chair and gas chambers. The article also discusses how the use of alternative execution methods is more expensive and can cause prolonged suffering for the condemned. According to the article, the EU's ban on the export of lethal injection drugs is based on ethical and human rights concerns.

Compare/Contrast

The article presents a different perspective on the death penalty compared to the Ethics textbook chapter. While the textbook highlights the ethical and moral issues surrounding capital punishment, the article focuses on the practical and logistical challenges faced by those carrying out the executions. The textbook argues that the death penalty is unjustifiable due to the possibility of wrongful convictions and the moral implications of taking a life. In contrast, the article acknowledges the ethical concerns but highlights the challenges of carrying out executions without the necessary drugs. The article suggests that lifting the ban on lethal injection drugs could make executions more humane and cost-effective.

Reaction

The article raises several ethical concerns regarding the death penalty, particularly in the use of alternative methods of execution due to the shortage of lethal injection drugs. The article's discussion on the prolonged suffering of the condemned highlights the inhumanity of certain execution methods. The EU's ban on the export of lethal injection drugs shows the power of ethical and human rights considerations in shaping public policy. However, as someone who opposes the death penalty, the article highlights the need for continued efforts to abolish capital punishment entirely. The use of alternative methods of execution only reinforces the inhumanity and injustice of the death penalty. It is important to continue advocating for the end of the death penalty and promoting alternative forms of justice.