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In theory, the death penalty makes some sense. It's a right the government reserves for itself (violence) and I think in some contexts it makes sense to be on the table. In practice, it's more expensive than a life sentence, and it's a blunt and racist tool to maintain unjust social and state power.
I wish every governor and president commuted 95% of death penalty situations. It's a major injustice that most executions were carried out, even for those who belief it's something the government should be doing.
Also, you're very hardly ever 100% sure someone deserves to die. It's morally much better to not kill just in case - and there's been tons of cases where new evidence, like DNA, has exonerated convicted prisoners. You might be keeping someone fed and warm who didn't deserve it, but personally I'd rather err on the side of humanity.
Like Gandalf said,
"Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."
I don’t get it. The death penalty doesn’t seem to deter people from committing heinous crimes. The practice seems more for the families who want closure, but morally we should be above killing unnecessarily. Whether someone is jailed for life in solitary or sentenced to death does not change the fact that they will never be able to harm another member of society.
And don’t get me wrong, if someone kills a loved one I will want them dead, but my emotions should not drive taxpayer funded punishment.
Putting aside some of the practical issues for a moment...
Why should society be obligated to suppord, and securely house people who should never be allowed back into society?
Maybe instead we could put those resources towards restoring the lives of the victims instead of the punishment of the sentenced?
A punitive system leaves the victims out cold where the only solace they can hope for is that the person responsible is punished appropriately.
A better one might provide mental/physical healthcare, social support, and an option for a direct role in the reconciliation process for the victim and their immediate family/household.
I just don't see how "justice" can be achieved when everyone has paid in and all we get for it is someone locked in a cell or murdered while the people they wronged haven't seen an ounce of support.