m them as a result of their crimes (CFBE, 2001). However, studies of the deterrent effect of the death penalty have been conducted for several years. The majority of these studies have failed to produce evidence that the death penalty deterred murders more effectively then the threat of imprisonment because few people are actually executed (CFBE, 2001). If capital punishment were carried out more frequently, it would most likely prove to be the crime deterrent it was partly intended to be (Lowe, 2001).
             Moreover, the second issue in the capital punishment debate is retribution, which can be defined as society's need to express adequate condemnation for monstrous crimes (Lowe, 2001). Supporters of the death penalty argue that the only suitable response to revolting murders and other such crimes is the most sever punishment possible (DPIC, 1997). Therefore, society should literally interpret the "eye for an eye" principle when an individual takes a life and take the life of the killer to rectify the damage that has been done (Lowe, 2001). Death penalty opponents disagree that society should be able to express its outrage with a vile crime by inflicting capital punishment (DPIC, 1997). They contend that it is not only ridiculous, but also immoral to punish a murder by taking the life of another. They argue that all life is sacred and must be valued, even that of heinous criminals (Lowe, 2001).
             The third major issue is the injustice and inequali
             ...