Pro-Death PenaltyMany studies show that the death penalty has no deterrent effect on the serious crime problem facing the United States. The death penalty remains the most controversial punishment, as more than half of states have reinstated their capital punishment laws since the Furman v. Georgia decision in 1972. Nonetheless, even if the death penalty were not a greater deterrent than a life sentence, some people would do it. the only way to permanently rid society of dangerous criminals who deserve to die. Given that the death penalty is considered a deterrent to criminal activity, is the execution morally right or merely brutal? The death penalty is the highest capital punishment, which serves as a powerful deterrent for serious crimes. Although capital punishment would probably not deter mentally unstable criminals, it could have an effect on the cold, calculating murderer, such as a hit man or someone who kills for profit. Because the death penalty is a red flag for potential criminals, fear of death could convince criminals not to risk using handguns in armed robberies. The deterrent effect of an execution can lead to a substantial reduction in the homicide rate. Although some believe a death sentence serves as a deterrent, others believe it is cruel and unusual punishment. There is insufficient evidence to prove that the death sentence can convince would-be murderers to desist from their criminal activities. Most murders involve people who knew each other, very often friends and family members. Since murderers are often under the influence of alcohol or drugs or suffer from serious psychological disorders, no punishment is likely to be a deterrent. =yaOaTbDmO4vVgAfgzOGgBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&reRichard C. Dieter, EE (1998, 06). Extracted April 3, 2011 from The death penalty in black and white: who lives, who dies, who decides: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-penalty-black-and-white-who-lives-who- dies-who-decidesSiegel, LJ (2009). Retrieved April 2011 from Essentials of Criminal Justice: http://books.google.com/books?id=22eNtpc6On0C&pg=PA355&lpg=PA355&dq=.+Racism+was+particularly+blatant+when+the+death+penalty+was+ invoked+in+cases+of+rape+90%25+of+those+who+died+for+rape+in+the+South+and+63%25+of+those+in+the+North ,+and +West+was+blackSTEWART, PS (1976, March 31). Extracted April 2, 2011 from Proffitt v. Florida (No. 75-5706): http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0428_0242_ZO.html