The Flawed Logic of Deterrence Theory
Zack Beauchamp and Ian Millhiser, two editors for Think Progress Ideas, describe other problems with the death penalty besides the immorality of it. Proponents of the death penalty frequently argue that the death penalty is an effective punishment because it deters crime. However, Beauchamp and Millhiser debase deterrence theory in their editorial by citing reputable scholars, and bringing attention to the flaws of the capital punishment system.
Most experts already believe that deterrence theory is untrue, and the death penalty may actually lead to increased crime rates. Also, Murder rates in death penalty states are consistently lower than murder rates in states that have abolished the death penalty. According to John Lamperti, a statistician at Dartmouth University “an overwhelming majority among America’s leading criminologists have concluded that that capital punishment does not contribute to lower rates of homicide.” Even if executing murderers was a deterrent, the only crime it would prevent people from committing would be murder. For the death penalty to truly deter crime, it would have to be a possible sentence for all crimes that it is intended to deter.
In addition to the death penalty being immoral for several reasons, it is also unable to serve its main purpose of deterring crime. For this reason Beauchamp and Millhiser have determined that it is never justifiable to use the death penalty.
Most experts already believe that deterrence theory is untrue, and the death penalty may actually lead to increased crime rates. Also, Murder rates in death penalty states are consistently lower than murder rates in states that have abolished the death penalty. According to John Lamperti, a statistician at Dartmouth University “an overwhelming majority among America’s leading criminologists have concluded that that capital punishment does not contribute to lower rates of homicide.” Even if executing murderers was a deterrent, the only crime it would prevent people from committing would be murder. For the death penalty to truly deter crime, it would have to be a possible sentence for all crimes that it is intended to deter.
In addition to the death penalty being immoral for several reasons, it is also unable to serve its main purpose of deterring crime. For this reason Beauchamp and Millhiser have determined that it is never justifiable to use the death penalty.