Jessica Latoski
Final Project Milestone 1: Topic Proposal
Topic Proposal
The death penalty is a topic of politics in America and has been for decades upon decades. I want
to take a deeper look into this controversial issue that continues to be one of oldest debates in America. Is
the death penalties use of capital punishment a violation of human rights and the environment that death
row inmates must live in also violate these rights. Many questions and arguments surround the death
penalty debate, but I want to ask is that if death row inmates sit waiting to be executed, what is this
costing, how is the environment on death row effecting inmates and whether there is reason to abolish the
death penalty as it relates to civil rights and the Constitution? Is using capital punishment a just form of
punishment?
Since the death penalty was first put into effect, there have been two different groups viewpoints
that argue the death penalty. The anti-death penalty side and the pro-death penalty side. The eighth
amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits "cruel and unusual" punishment. Anti-death penalty
many amendments in the constitution. Where the pro-death penalty doesn't, they believe that the
Constitution says that the death penalty is good. For centuries these two opposing sides have fought this
same battle, really with no conclusion.
Viewpoints: Anti- Death Penalty
Anti- death penalty supporters main arguments of "no death penalty" focuses on its inhumaneness, lack of
deterrent effect, continuing racial and economic biases, and that of irreversibility. Anti-groups have
argued that the death penalty goes against a persons' rights as outlined in the Constitution and denies due
process of law. A group of anti- death penalty called the American Civil Liberties Union believes that use
of capital punishment inherently violates many of the Constitutions amendments and equal protection
under the law. Violating the 5th and 14th amendment, that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and
or property without due process of law." As well as the 8th amendment that prohibits "cruel and unusual
punishment." (Death Penalty, n.d.). They also argue that the death penalty is not a viable form of crime
control and wastes valuable money and resources. Many believe race is a dominating factor in
determining who lives and who dies. (Death penalty, n.d.). Bringing politics into the argument by "flawed
executions", meaning that an innocent person was convicted of a crime, sentenced to death and executed.
(Haines,1992).
Pro-Death Penalty
Surprisingly, most Americans, quite reasonably support the death penalty in appropriate cases, and believe
that, despite its imperfections, it is Constitutional. There are, to be heartfelt arguments for people to be
against the death penalty, but not in the least are they religious, moral, or other reasons and beliefs.
(Stimson.2019). The Supreme Court has held up to the death penalty as being Constitutional. The 5th and
14th amendments carry express approval of the death penalty: "a person may not be deprived of life,
liberty, or property without due process of law.""