One of the most controversial arguments is the Eighth Amendment vs. Lethal Injection argument. While lethal injection is proposed as a quick, efficient, and painless way to end the life of those convicted, this is not the case. Lethal injections can be faulty, there are many reports of individuals surviving or needing a second attempt. There are even reports of …show more content…
“Since 1973, over 140 people have been released from death rows in 26 states because of innocence. Nationally, at least one person is exonerated for every 10 that are executed.” Unfortunately, many do not get exonerated before the death penalty occurs. My father, a prison guard and official for a period of time, has given many talks to our family on the number of inmates who were actually innocent, but died due to a rushed trial or other reasons. An innocent person, killed due to the death penalty, only to have their name cleared after their death. According to current rates, exactly 4.1%, two times the rate of those exonerated, or “1 in every 25,”is innocent. This shocking statistic only accounts for those put on death row, or given the death penalty. How can we continue with such a corrupted system, knowing that for every 25 people, one is innocent. Nebraska State Senator, Ernie Chambers, once said that “over 150 people in the last few years have been taken off death row because they were innocent. I know there are people who want to believe that no innocent person has ever been executed in this country. But when you have this many people conclusively proved by DNA evidence to be actually innocent, there is no escaping the conclusion that innocent people have been executed.” I agree with Mr. Chambers, in saying that