Without Capital Punishment (The Death Penalty) Our Lives Are Less Secure and Crimes of Violence Increase - IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Essays

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Sample Essay 1

In recent years, the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent to violent crime has been intensely debated. While some argue that the death penalty enhances public safety, I strongly disagree. I believe that capital punishment is not essential for reducing violence, and in fact, it presents significant ethical, legal, and practical problems. This essay will explore how the death penalty fails to deter crime and why its irreversible nature makes it incompatible with a fair justice system.

First, there is little compelling evidence to suggest that capital punishment effectively deters violent crime more than life imprisonment. Numerous studies from countries that have abolished the death penalty, such as Canada and the UK, show no subsequent rise in violent offences. In fact, murder rates have sometimes declined. This suggests that criminals are not rationally weighing potential punishments before committing violent acts. Instead, most violent crimes occur in moments of heightened emotion, desperation, or mental instability, where deterrence has limited impact. By contrast, long-term imprisonment—if properly managed—can ensure public safety without violating fundamental human rights. Relying on execution as a crime prevention tool oversimplifies the complex causes of violence and ignores more effective solutions like education, rehabilitation, and economic support.

Secondly, the irreversible nature of capital punishment poses a grave threat to justice, especially in systems prone to error or bias. Miscarriages of justice are inevitable in any legal system, and when an innocent person is executed, the damage is permanent. The U.S., for instance, has seen over 190 death row inmates exonerated since 1973, revealing alarming flaws in the judicial process. Additionally, evidence shows that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to marginalized groups, raising concerns about systemic inequality and racial bias. These issues undermine public trust in legal institutions and contradict the principle that justice must be both fair and impartial. Rather than enhancing security, the existence of capital punishment often reveals deeper structural problems within society.

In conclusion, capital punishment does not offer superior protection against crime and risks severe injustices through wrongful convictions and systemic bias. A safer, more humane society is better built on prevention, rehabilitation, and fairness—not irreversible punishment.

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Sample Essay 2

In an increasingly volatile world, the absence of capital punishment can embolden violent offenders and weaken the deterrent strength of the legal system. I fully agree with the view that the death penalty is crucial for maintaining societal security and curbing violent crime. This essay will argue that capital punishment functions as a powerful deterrent against heinous acts and reinforces public trust in justice by ensuring proportional retribution for the gravest crimes.

A key reason capital punishment remains vital is its unparalleled deterrent effect, particularly on premeditated violent crimes. Although critics dispute its efficacy, logic and behavioural economics suggest that the fear of irreversible consequences—death—can dissuade potential offenders in a way that life imprisonment cannot. In countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia, where capital punishment is actively enforced, violent crime rates remain remarkably low, suggesting a correlation worth considering. Unlike imprisonment, which some hardened criminals may view as a temporary setback or even a rite of passage, the finality of execution delivers a psychological barrier that most are unwilling to cross. Moreover, a justice system without the ultimate penalty may signal leniency, eroding the perceived risk associated with violent acts. For individuals capable of extreme violence, the fear of death may be the only language they understand.

Equally important is the role of capital punishment in delivering proportional justice and upholding the moral fabric of society. When crimes such as mass murder, acts of terrorism, or child rape occur, the public’s demand for a punishment that truly reflects the gravity of the offence is both natural and justified. Without the death penalty, justice can appear diluted—offenders of unspeakable cruelty may continue to live while their victims' families grapple with irreversible loss. This can breed public disillusionment with the legal system. Furthermore, modern forensic science has drastically reduced the risk of wrongful executions, allowing capital punishment to be applied with far greater confidence than in the past. In this light, abolishing it entirely may not be a moral victory, but rather a surrender to sentimentality over justice.

In conclusion, capital punishment acts as both a formidable deterrent and a necessary tool for delivering justice commensurate with the crime. Without it, violent criminals may feel emboldened, and the integrity of justice risks being undermined.

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