Capital punishment has been in this country since the beginning (Connors 38). To this day, the federal government and thirty-five states retain the right to impose capital punishment (Mysliwiec 254). In fact, in both 2011 and 2012, forty-three inmates were executed nationwide (Use 6). However, there are twelve other states that have abolished the practice entirely for various reasons and another six that retain the right, but have not executed anyone since 1976 (Henningfeld 35). This has raised quite a debate among Americans, as some see it as morally corrupt because it involves taking the life of another, and others see it as permanent justice (19). There has been a lot of fighting and discussion about whether or not capital punishment should be abolished in the United States and advocates on both sides of the issue have some really valid points (Connors 26, 35, 38; Henningfeld 34). First, those who fully support the death penalty must admit that the technique is by no means flawless. There is always the possibility that an innocent person will be convicted and then executed (Connors 35; Henningfeld 34). Furthermore, it cannot be guaranteed that the criminal executed will die without extreme pain or suffering, which violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution (Connors 26). However, those who oppose the death penalty must also consider the benefits of executions, such as crime prevention (Connors 38; Cromie and Zott 54). Everyone on both sides can agree with these statements. Capital punishment can be dangerous, not only for those who actually commit crimes, but also for those who are suspected of such crimes (Connors 35; Henningfeld 34). Unfortunately, no matter the multiple adjustment...... middle of paper......3d#db=buh&AN=51455853>.Mysliwiec, Paul. “The Federal Death Penalty as a Safety Valve.” Virginia Journal of Social Policy & The Law 17.2 (2010): 257-280. Network. March 9, 2014. Saad, Lydia. “Support for the death penalty in the United States is stable at 63%.” Gallup Poll Briefing (2013): 2. Web. March 6, 2014 “Use of the Death Penalty Becomes Rarer in the United States” Christian Century 130.2 (2013): 16. Web. March 9 2014 .