The greatest controversy in the global criminal justice system is capital punishment. While people might perceive the death penalty as the rightful castigation to heinous crimes such as a murder, genocide and treason, the perception differs from one individual to the other. Several aspects of the society such as religion, humanitarians, bureaucrats, activists exhibit varied perceptions on this vital issue in crime. Every country believes in a retribution but the actions to achieve this feat such as capital punishment results in moral and immoral justification. The research proposal will emphasize on different perceptions of capital punishment with respect to religion, morality, retribution and the United States perception on this issue.
Problem of Objective
Over the years the death penalty has invited debates on whether it is a moral or immoral act in solving the criminal cases in the United States. People have levelled criticisms on this act as evident by some states in the United States such as Michigan, New York and 17 others do not approve of the death penalty. In the remaining 31 states, capital punishment is legal. The statistic is an evidential statement that everybody does not approve of this cruel act. It is, therefore, important to underline issues that create this varied perception of capital punishment in America and provide facts and view on this method of punishment. The justice department in the United States faces a daunting task in handling cases such as treason, terrorism and murder with respect to ruling on the death penalty. Perfect scrutiny of these tangible issues in America will, therefore, help in an in-depth understanding of capital punishment.
Literature review
Religion
Anckar (2014) emphasizes the greatest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam perception of capital punishment. The Catholic Church perceives the death penalty as immoral and advocates for its abolition in the states in America that still practices the vice. In contrast Muslims advocates for the death penalty since they believe in God's teaching that states that give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Anckar (2014) further explains that although Muslims have sharia laws, they support the death penalty as a vital factor in halting crime cases. The different perceptions in the religion is a factor that creates controversy on the legitimacy of the death penalty and whether all states should either adopt or abolish the act.
Retribution
Broughton (2018) focusses on the trends of criminal justice in America. The Trump regime has seen the increase in the cases of the death penalty and there is a possibility of the increase with the appointment of prosecutors to handle extreme cases of crime. The circumstance highlights the difference in the death penalty in America to other countries of the world as asserted by Broughton (2018). Additionally, the federal death penalty act has led to increased criticism on the ideology of the judicial system. Although, there are few numbers of inmates on the death row in the American correctional facilities, the situation might not be different in future with the strategies that the Trump government is initiating. Since all the decisions rest by the judicial system headed by the attorney general, the perception of President Trump and his aids in the government might lead to the amendment of the 1994 act to suit their perceptions. The process creates a controversy in the criminal justice department. The idea of retribution might, therefore, create different perceptions that are immoral and self – centered in the judiciary and executive branches in the federal government.
Morality
The society is full of immoral ways and circumstances that lead to the abuse of human rights. The introduction of an international law that allows the death penalty for heinous crimes more in the United States of America is absurd according to the humanitarians. Perry (2016) asserts that capital punishment causes pain and goes against the decree in the bible that life is valuable. The International Bill of Rights advocates for human rights, economic, social and political rights that every country must conform to as asserted by Perry (2016). Going against the declarations is immoral and leads to the abuse of a person’s right. The government tries as much as possible to provide justice for victims of crime but a violation of the right of a criminal through capital punishment goes against morality standards. Perry (2016), continues by highlighting human dignity and the need for taking care of them irrespective of the crime committed. The inborn respect that initials obtain calls for proper handling of the cases that entails the need for a death penalty. On the other hand, the intentional killing of an individual might result in the abuse of rights that might invite capital punishment as Perry (2016) states. The controversy, therefore, requires in-depth analysis in the cases with an aim of seeking justice for the offender and the defendant.
Subjects for study
The research will dwell on the 5 correctional inmates, 1 police officer, one prosecutor, one activist against capital punishment and one activist for capital punishment. All these subjects will provide their opinion on the topic of research and the methods of response for either the abolition or continued practice of capital punishment.
Data Collection Methods
The researcher will use three methodologies in the collection of information about the death penalty, Interview, questionnaire and data from criminal justice will assist in obtaining facts about the research topic, capital punishment. I will visit a correctional centre with the help of a police officer and interview 5 inmates to ask them about their experience in the correctional facilities. Their perceptions about the death penalty in the country and what factors they can take into consideration to avert cases of capital punishment. I will also offer some questionnaire to the inmates. I will further visit a local court and obtain highlights on the conditions by which a criminal might face capital punishment and the judge’s opinion about the issue.
I will also access data of the inmates under death raw from the prison services for analysis and comprehension of the facts of capital punishment in America. Death Penalty Information Centre is the data collection department that the research will focus on. In America specifically, there has been a number of executions since the end of World War II. The data from the Death Penalty Information Centre show the decreased cases of capital punishment in America. I will, therefore, analyze the data and present facts on the issues that have led to the reduction and the current trends of capital punishment in America. I will also collect data on the financial implication of the death penalty for easier analysis of the economic effects of crime in the country. All these methods will aim to confirm the different perceptions of the death penalty in America.
Budget
The financial implication of the research proposal is important for effective logistics and completion for the project proposal. Since the research will involve travelling from one office to another and from the information centre to the other, a lot of funds will be necessary for the efficiency of the project. The total budget for the research will be 1000 dollars to aid in travelling, printing of the work and other important logistics. I will acquire for the funds once I present the budget to my team. The smooth and fast allocation of the funds will aid in the proper project proposal completion. Travelling cost, printing cost, material cost, recommended books costs are some of the logistics that will help in the realization of a relevant and knowledgeable research paper.
Conclusion
Capital punishment is an essential issue in the criminal justice system. Religion, retribution and morality are some of the factors that assist in the in-depth understanding of this global phenomenon. To understand the issues vividly, there is a need for a proper research with the involvement of the peace officers, inmates, a prosecutor and factual data from the death penalty information centers. Additionally, asking questions through interview and questionnaires might assist in the provision of the factual and personal information on the vice. To assist in the logistics, the budget is effective. Proper allocation of the budget to this research will create an ease of access to every material required. Capital punishment in America has therefore created criticisms due to the different perceptions. An in-depth understanding and address of these issues will create clarity and assist in the provision of justice to the offer and offended for animosity purposes.