2. Can executions influence other people's behaviour?

* Executions are sometimes considered as shows, so people can assist

* In governments' opinion this terrible show can be useful to influence other people's behaviour

* However, there is the risk that executions become shows only for revenge

3. Are we sure of a prisoner's guilt?

* Wrongful execution is a miscarriage of justice occurring when an innocent person is put to death by capital punishment. Many people have been proclaimed innocent victims of the death penalty. Some have claimed that as many as 39 executions have been carried out in the U.S. in face of compelling evidence of innocence or serious doubt about guilt.

* Newly available DNA evidence has allowed the exoneration of more than 15 death row inmates since 1992 in the U.S., but DNA evidence is only available in a fraction of capital cases.

4. Can a government be considered a murderer itself?

« Parmi un assurdo che le leggi, che sono l'espressione della pubblica volontà, che detestano e puniscono l'omicidio, ne commettano uno esse medesime, e, per allontanare i cittadini dall'assassinio, ordinino un pubblico assassinio. »

C. Beccaria, Dei delitti e delle pene, 1764

Comparison: Usa - Italy

Usa

* The methods of execution and the crimes subject to the penalty vary by jurisdiction

* 32 jurisdictions have banned it by law, others have suspended its use, and others are trying to expand its applicability.

* Public support today is substantially lower than it was in the 1980s and '90s

Italy

* The use of capital punishment in Italy has been allowed during 2 periods after the unification of the country: 1860-1889 and 1926-1947.

* It was again banned, as of 1 January 1948.

* Italy has since developed a stance strongly against capital punishment.

Students'opinion

American students

* Against death penalty

* Each state can decide [Republican vs. Democrat states]

* The death penalty is not a deterrent

* It is double homicide, by the criminals and by the law.

* Help to fight such situations is given by the organisations for the human rights.

Italian students

* Against death penalty

* Don't understand why in the USA the death penalty is still legal

* The death penalty is not a deterrent

* It is double homicide, by the criminals and by the law.

* Help to fight such situations is given by the organisations for the human rights.

Movies and literature

Movies and literature

* Recent opposition to the death penalty stemmed from the book of the Italian Cesare Beccaria Dei Delitti e Delle Pene ("On Crimes and Punishments"), published in 1764.

* “The Death Penalty Hurt Society,” by John D. Bessler. The main point of his article is about how unaffected the death penalty is to prevent crime.

Conclusions

* Violation of the human rights

* Execution of innocent people

* Life imprisonment is an effective and less expensive substitute