Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, allows judges to sentence the most serious offenders to death. While on death row, the liberty of inmates is highly restricted as they can remain in maximum security facilities for years while the legal process required for execution is completed. The restriction of freedom and the agony associated with awaiting death can contribute to a deterioration of mental health. Krisberg, Marchionna, and Hartney describe how many death row inmates experience depression, schizophrenia, or hallucinations after long periods of confinement (2015). In addition to the psychological harm experienced, the execution itself brings physical pain. Though the use of lethal injection gives an appearance of a painless execution in comparison to previous methods such as electrocution or death by guillotine, Sarat describes how lethal injection can cause excruciating pain for the inmate if carried out improperly (2002). Thus, the mental and physical harm that capital punishment inflicts on offenders contradicts ideas of human dignity and welfare previously
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, allows judges to sentence the most serious offenders to death. While on death row, the liberty of inmates is highly restricted as they can remain in maximum security facilities for years while the legal process required for execution is completed. The restriction of freedom and the agony associated with awaiting death can contribute to a deterioration of mental health. Krisberg, Marchionna, and Hartney describe how many death row inmates experience depression, schizophrenia, or hallucinations after long periods of confinement (2015). In addition to the psychological harm experienced, the execution itself brings physical pain. Though the use of lethal injection gives an appearance of a painless execution in comparison to previous methods such as electrocution or death by guillotine, Sarat describes how lethal injection can cause excruciating pain for the inmate if carried out improperly (2002). Thus, the mental and physical harm that capital punishment inflicts on offenders contradicts ideas of human dignity and welfare previously