The death penalty is not a deterrent

When I talk with proponents of the death penalty, they often argue that capital punishment is a good deterrent. They believe that a person would be less likely to commit murder if there were a chance that he might have to die for his crime.

The experts disagree. According to Amnesty International, "A 2009 survey of criminologists revealed that over 88% believed the death penalty was NOT a deterrent to murder."

And the statistics prove it. As Amnesty also notes, "The murder rate in non-Death Penalty states has remained consistently lower than the rate in States with the Death Penalty."

Whether you're for it or against it, when dealing with life-and-death issues like the death penalty, it is important to know the facts and face reality.