DEATH PENALTY REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC AMONG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
Kathya Anguiano
TBS Contributing Writer
With all the crime and conflicts going on in our world right now, there are many people being sentenced to life in prison or in some cases to death. Teenagers are mixed in their opinions on the belief that the death penalty is an effective way to discourage criminal activities, much like society in general.
Under New Hampshire’s capital punishment law, the death penalty can be sought in cases involving the murder of policemen and court officers, and judges. Other instances where the death penalty is used include cases of murder for hire, or murders connected to drug deals, rape, or kidnappings.
The state of Texas has for many years led the nation in the amount of executions carried out for crimes. This ultimate punishment is mostly carried out at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, also known as “Wall’s Unit” where some of the worst criminals are held behind bars. It is the most active single execution chamber in the United States, with 423 executions between 1982 and 2008.
Is the death penalty the answer to society’s fight against crime?
“Not really, because how do they suffer for what they’ve done if they die,” Elaine Garcia, sophomore, said.
Like Garcia, sophomore Ahmed Salama seems to think the death penalty is not the right way to punish criminals.
“No, people are human and they shouldn’t have the power to decide a human’s faith or end their life, that’s up to God,” Salama said.
Sophomore Rangel Rosado, like other teens, sees the death penalty as a way to send the message that some crimes will not be tolerated at all.
“Yes, I believe that the death penalty is the way to punish, because if you have committed something that is unimaginable, then I think you are better off dead then to be a threat to the rest of society, especially when you’ve hurt more than one person,” Rosado said.
By the looks of it, the death penalty is still a major issue in Texas, some agree with it and others don’t and never will.