The Dark Side of America: the Death Penalty in the United States
The death penalty is one of the oldest speciespunishment for the crime committed by man. This is the most severe punishment, which not only takes the life of the person who committed the gravest crime, but also causes incredible suffering for his relatives and friends.
To date, most countries have refusedfrom such a penalty. International law prohibits the use of the death penalty. This is due to the fact that the main principle of respect for human rights and freedoms is the absolute right to life.
Despite everything, the death penalty in the US is stillpore is applied. In addition, America is one of the five leading countries in the world in which the largest number of death sentences are carried out every year. This list also includes Iraq, Iran, China and Saudi Arabia.
Despite the fact that the death penalty in the United Statesis fixed in the federal legislation of the country, its application is regulated in the criminal laws of each state separately. In some states it is not provided by law at all, in others it exists, but in practice it is not used, in the third - it is actively used. In some states, the convicts are given the option to choose: when and what kind of death penalty. In the United States, various methods of this type of punishment are applied in different states. Some have their origins since ancient times, others have a more modern character. But they are all terrible in their own way.
So, the current types of the death penalty in the US are as follows:
This is a special device, where forThe death of a condemned person is passed through an electric current through his body. Theoretically, this kind of death penalty is the most painless, except for the cases of equipment malfunction. It was first used in the USA in August 1890 in New York. During the 20th century it was used in 25 states. Today it is only used in 6 - Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Nebraska.
2. Gas chamber
The death of a condemned man occurs bythe sudden release of toxic gas into the suicide bomber. This is one of the most cruel and inhumane types of the death penalty. After all, gas does not kill right away, and a person experiences painful suffering at the same time. To date, such a death penalty in the US is used in four states: Arizona, California, North Carolina and Mississippi. It is not used anywhere else in the world.
Concludes in the introduction of the sentenced personsolution of a poisonous substance. It is considered the most humane of the types of death penalty. But unreasonably painful. For this reason, lethal injections are banned in several US states: Florida, Ohio, New Jersey and Missouri.
4. Shooting
The mortification is achieved with the help of a firearmweapons. Sentenced, as a rule, put to the wall. Often given a choice regarding eye patches. Today in the US, the shooting is used as a spare kind only in two states - Oklahoma and Idaho.
5. Hanging
This type of death penalty exists in the US today. But it practically does not apply. Hanging in only two states is legally fixed: Washington and New Hampshire.
