One of the most debated and criticized methods of punishment in the United States is the death penalty. The death penalty is an issue that divides the United States. Although there are many supporters, there is also strong opposition. Currently, there are thirty-three states in which the death penalty is legal and seventeen states that have abolished it, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. There is no doubt that killing another person is the most heinous criminal act anyone can commit. I don't know why, but it seems that the United States government is being hypocritical when it claims that capital punishment is acceptable because a criminal actually murdered an innocent victim and therefore should be killed (Philips, 2013). This rule is known as the “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth theory.” Of course, if we used this system all the time, there would be no need for laws. A second argument made by some people in support of capital punishment is that the fear of being sentenced to death will deter criminals from committing murder. How many criminals would kill in the first place, even in a state without capital punishment, if they thought they had a chance of being caught? Most murderers feel they have a plan to commit murder with impunity (Philips, 2013). Unfortunately, most are right. In response to this, I believe that the United States Bill of Rights in the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. There is nothing more cruel or unusual than taking someone's life. If you have a different perspective on what's happening around the world, it's that we see internationally that the use of executions as a way to get rid of crime is in decline. .... middle of paper ...... without parole and let them stay in prison for the rest of their lives regretting their decision rather than offering them a way out. In response, I believe that the Bill of Rights, specifically the Eighth Amendment, prohibits cruel and unusual punishment (Sangiorgio, 2011). If there is a punishment more cruel than death, let me know. Additionally, it is time to recognize that our justice system suffers from bias. For example; In Southern states, 8% of black criminals who kill are subject to the death penalty. Only 1% of white murderers receive the death penalty. Additionally, murderers are seven times more likely to receive the death penalty for murdering a white person as they are if they murdered a black person. This seems to me to be a blatant prejudice (Siennick, 2012). The death penalty must be abolished and abolished by constitutional amendment.