Topic > Life in Prison vs. the Death Penalty: A Cost Analysis

Family and friends of victims may be dealing with the loss of a loved one and would like to see a sense of justice imposed. The final decision may give family members some relief and even a desire for the criminal to suffer. Each phrase can bring peace of mind to families, however each plays a different role in doing so. A family may want the criminal to suffer a death similar to that suffered by their loved one. The death penalty would fit this situation better since the family can watch as the criminal is executed if they choose to do so. Then there is the situation where the family wants the criminal to suffer for the rest of his life. The perfect punishment for this is life imprisonment as the criminal will be stuck surrounded by maximum security for the rest of his life. Knowing that the criminal will not be able to cause harm to someone else and ensuring that they will suffer in prison will provide these families with the justice they believe is needed.