The use of capital punishment and its efficiency in the United States has been in debate for hundreds of years. According to the United States Department of Justice, 98 inmates were executed in the United States in 1999, more than in any other year since the early 1950's. Currently, however, only 38 states have capital statutes. Justice cannot be served fully until the debate on capital punishment is resolved and all states come to agree that the death penalty is the best way to do just that. Not only does evidence show that the death penalty deters acts of murder and recompenses against murderers, but it is also biblically supported.
             One of the reasons the death penalty is implicated is not simply to punish the offenders, but also to prevent against future offenses of the same kind (Sellin 77). By executing criminals, we take away their ability to cause harm in the future and send a message to others. This message instills in people a sense of fear, a knowledge that there is severe penalty for serious criminal acts. In 1953, the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment stated:
             ...we cannot number its (the death penalty) successes. No one can ever know how many people have refrained from murder because of the fear
             Unfortunately, hard evidence of the deterrence effect is indirect. But what is sure is the necessity of retribution through capital punishment.
             Retribution is quite easily described as the carrying out of due punishment. A civilized society must retaliate against criminals, and capital punishment is the best
             Janitz 2
             possible retribution against murderers. Families who have lost a loved one to the selfish acts of a murderer naturally experience anger and deep sorrow. By sentencing a criminal to the
             ...