GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 109
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
By punishing murderers with the death penalty, society is also guilty of committing murder. Therefore, life in prison is a better punishment for murderers.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer: [Agreement]
The execution of heinous criminals has been used in nearly all societies since time immemorial. Many people, however, believe that the community is also guilty of committing murder by imposing capital punishment. Life imprisonment is better retribution for murderers, in their opinion. In this case, I admit my moral hunches suggest to subscribe to the prison sentence than the death penalty.
To commence with, capital punishment is the ultimate denial of human being’s most fundamental right. It is cold-blooded and premeditated murder of a human being by the judiciary in the name of justice. In fact, the death penalty violates the right to life. Moreover, a lack of careful investigation and improper handling of evidence can inflict death on innocent people. A case in point is Carlton Micheal, who was executed in 2019 by the state of Florida. The witness who identified Carlton in the court was actually asleep at the time. Furthermore, DNA evidence left at the place of occurrence also excluded him. Thus, the death penalty is also a crime against humanity.
Thus, life imprisonment is a good alternative to the death penalty. First of all, it helps the criminal to remorse and become a good citizen. In a civilized society, criminals deserve at least a chance to introspect, repent and reform in the course of time. Secondly, life in prison deters people from committing heinous and depraved murder as they know that they risk their eternal freedom, which serves a powerful deterrent, consequently. For example, many studies show that life sentence has lead to a dramatic decline in the number of murder cases.
In conclusion, death sentence hurts more than it helps our society. My belief “to take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, it is not justice” compels me to support life sentence instead of the death penalty.
Well, explain about it.