The death penalty for any crime has long been a controversial topic. Great Britain is no exception, as politicians and the public have debated and discussed the concept since the country first began legislating legal punishment in the 15th century. Is the death penalty legal in Great Britain? Well, not quite. The act of death penalty has been ruled illegal in Great Britain since 1998 and abolished altogether in the early 21st century.
The ancient Greeks believed that death was the only punishment fitting for certain crimes and many other countries throughout history have shared this same belief. Great Britain first introduced the death penalty as a method of punishment in 1439 and proceeded to inflict capital punishment for numerous offences during the reigns of the Tudors and Stuarts. By the late 20th century, the United Kingdom had implemented new laws and policies that effectively abolished the death penalty. In 1998, the Privy Council declared that the state would never reintroduce the death penalty. This resulted in a resounding decision to declare the practice unlawful and abolished it from the United Kingdom.
Despite the death penalty being illegal in Great Britain, many people still believe that capital punishment serves as a deterrent and would help to reduce crime. Advocates for the death penalty believe that it is a necessary evil and that, it if reintroduced, it would give the public a greater sense of security. However, research has found that the death penalty does not have a deterrent effect, as people have the capacity to make decisions based on emotions rather than by cost-benefit calculations. Furthermore, it can take decades before an execution actually takes place and this can act as a disincentive to the public.
Opponents of the death penalty believe that it can be cruel, unusual and inhumane and is an outdated form of punishment. In addition to this, there is potential for wrongful executions as well as miscarriages of justice, making the punishment too serious. Furthermore, it is seen as a violation of the right to life as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The emotional difficulty of sentencing a person to death is something that many people have not considered. Families and loved ones of the victims are often deeply affected; the death of any individual is agonising for family and friends, especially if the person in question is on death row. Even if it is agreed the person deserves to be punished, many argue that life in prison is sufficient instead of death.
In recent years, the discussion of such a controversial topic has caught the interest of experts from all sides of the debate: attorneys, criminologists, theologians and even neuroscientists have offered their opinion on whether or not the death penalty is an ethical form of punishment. However, it does not appear a decision will be made anytime soon. It is clear that the death penalty is illegal in Great Britain, but its reintroduction is an issue that is likely to be debated for years to come.
Civil Liberties & Human Rights
When discussing the death penalty, it is essential to consider the civil liberties and human rights of all individuals. Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms that are protected by law; examples include the right to own property and freedom of speech. On the other hand, human rights are protections against discrimination, equality and liberty, and the United Nations has developed a variety of charters to ensure these rights are respected around the world.
The death penalty raises numerous ethical questions related to human rights. It is seen by many as a violation of innocent individuals’ right to life. In other words, even if an individual was responsible for an unspeakable crime, they should not be deprived of their universal right to life. They should still receive a fair trial and the full protection of the law.
In addition, human rights include the right to a fair trial, equal protection under the law, the right to remain silent and due process. If someone is facing the death penalty, they are awarded minimal protection of these rights. For instance, if someone is on death row, their access to a fair and proper trial is virtually non-existent. This calls into question whether or not the death penalty is an ethical way to punish criminals.
Finally, the death penalty has long been argued that it is a cruel, unusual and inhumane form of punishment. This is due to the fact that no system can provide a foolproof guarantee that innocent individuals are not executed. This has lead to many individuals being put to death on false charges.
Financial Impact
Although the death penalty has been abolished in Britain, the economic impact of this is still felt. For instance, trying and punishing criminals in the court of law can be a time-consuming and expensive process. In addition, prisoners on death row are typically held in solitary confinement and provided with expensive medical care. As a result, taxpayers’ money is used to fund the investigation and punishment of those facing the death penalty.
In recent years, states in the US have abolished the death penalty due to these financial concerns. It has been estimated that it can cost millions more to put someone to death compared to life in prison. Moreover, studies have concluded that it costs far more to maintain prisoners on death row than it does someone serving life imprisonment. Although it is difficult to accurately determine the true cost of maintaining a prisoner, the financial strain cannot be ignored.
Innocent Life
Another key factor when debating the death penalty is the potential risk of wrongful executions. Evidence suggests that innocent people have been put to death before in Great Britain and that the mistakes made could cause irreversible physical and emotional trauma. Although such mistakes are rare, they highlight the importance of considering the potential implications of the death penalty.
Studies have found that wrongful convictions can occur due to a variety of factors, including poverty, racism, coerced confessions, faulty forensic science and false witness testimonies. Such issues are seen to be inherently wrong and have elicited criticism from many experts. Therefore, the reintroduction of the death penalty presents a risk that innocent individuals may be executed and that those who are legitimately convicted may be subject to inhumane treatment.
Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Considering the controversial aspects of the death penalty, it is essential to consider the alternatives. Life imprisonment is often cited as a more humane and cost effective way to punish criminals, as the government does not have to bear the costs of an execution. Life imprisonment also provides individuals with the opportunity to rehabilitate and be reintegrated into society at some point in the future.
Others argue that rehabilitation is the key to reducing crime in the long term. Policies such as restorative justice, economic empowerment, mental health support and counselling are some of the approaches that can lead to long-term change and protect against wrongful convictions. Such policies can also help build a safe and inclusive community and can be implemented over time, without the severe repercussions of the death penalty.
Death Penalty Abolition Movement
The death penalty abolition movement is an international effort to end the use of the death penalty worldwide. This movement has been spearheaded by organisations such as Amnesty International and is supported by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. There is also an increasing recognition of the death penalty as an inhumane and outdated form of punishment.
In addition, many countries have already abolished the death penalty due to its inhumane nature. For instance, a number of countries in Europe, including Germany, France, Sweden and Norway, have banned the death penalty. Moreover, countries such as India, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico and even Saudi Arabia have abolished the death penalty in recent years.
The death penalty abolition movement will continue to grow as more countries recognise the illegality of the death penalty and adopt the alternative solutions proposed by experts. It is a movement that is driven by human rights and civil liberties and is a testament to the potential of the international community to push for human progress.
