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The Death Penalty Is Not A Deterrent

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Crying Over Spilled Milk The death penalty is a lot like the statement “crying over spilled milk” in the sense that it is pointless and makes no real difference with regards to the situation. The death penalty was created as a punishment for crimes committed, but even from the beginning crime was still a problem and the punishment was not a deterrent. The history concerning the death penalty is extensive and can be found documented all the way back to Ancient Babylon in 18th Century BC (Reggio). It was used as punishment for a variety of crimes varying from place to place and was, in some instances, used as the punishment for all crimes. In every one of the places and time spans where the death penalty was implemented crime was still present. Criminals were not deterred by the threat of death even then and today is no different. If someone wants to commit a crime badly enough, not even death can change their mind. The death penalty has evolved dramatically since it was first created. When it began the death penalty was not executed in such a sterile and humane way. Criminals were paraded in front of the public, forced to commit suicide, crucified, impaled, buried alive, drowned at sea, hanged or beheaded (Reggio). Their deaths were not closed to the public but were in fact a spectacle that people would travel far distances to be present for. Though crime was still a problem during ancient times, violent crimes were remarkably less than in today’s society. As centuries

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