The Death Penalty vs. Alternative Punishments In the United States Constitution, the 8th Amendment prohibits the use and practices of cruel and unusual punishment. What exactly is considered to be cruel and unusual punishment? This question is a hot topic among America's many different current controversies. Many people are saying that the use of capital punishment (to be sentenced to death as a penalty in the eyes of the law [a capital crime]. An execution […showed first 75 words of 3289 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3289 total…just as good as the death penalty. They also say that a person can change. They would allow a convicted murder the chance for probation and a chance to kill again. They would also allow the convicted person to be on a work release program. Is the death penalty fair and just? That depends on the person and the circumstance, so who is right and who is wrong? That's up to the courts to decide.