Alternatives
There aren’t really solutions to the death penalty, but there are alternatives.
1. The most popular alternative to the death penalty used today is life in prison, without parole, and with restitution
2. Another alternative for the criminal is life in prison with parole.
3. The last alternative to the death penalty is rehabilitation services.
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1. The most popular alternative to the death penalty used today is life in prison, without parole, and with restitution
- Restitution means that the criminal must work, and all of the money that he earns will go to the family of the victim (Merriam-Webster, 2012, para. 1)
- Public support for this alternative is high because they feel that the criminal will never again be a threat to society because the criminal will remain in jail for life.
- Also, people feel that the victim is still being honored as the criminal will provide another source of income for the victim’s family.
2. Another alternative for the criminal is life in prison with parole.
- In the Wall Street Journal, John Dilulio (regarding released criminals) wrote, “The vast majority of [them] never commit another murder or violent crime. Many have not only gone straight but have continued paying their debt to society... by making post-release restitution, manning youth and community outreach centers that work with juvenile felons, and more.”
- There is some public support for this alternative because of the belief that people can change; however, it is not as widely supported as the first option because people believe that there is always the danger that a person will not change, and they do not want to release the criminal into society.
3. The last alternative to the death penalty is rehabilitation services.
- This alternative is not greatly supported because Americans do not like to spend their hard earned money on people that actually need it.
- The rehabilitation option is a great one because it gives criminals the opportunity to change their lives and forget their pasts.
- “Since 1976, 18 children under the age of 18 have been executed on death row.”
- Sometimes, young people (and even mature people) make mistakes; however, we shouldn’t take their lives from them before they have the chance to change for the better.
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