In Poland death penalty was abolished in 1997. However, the last execution happened in 1988 in Cracow's prison. Many people consider death penalty unnecessary. But some politicians, especially those from PiS, think that it should be allowed. Many Polish people think that there should be death penalty. However, in my opinion, before we undertake some steps to restore it, we have to answer the question, whether this punishment may help to decrease the rate of extremely violent crimes and if it can make people feel safer.
First of all, none of the member countries of the European Union, allows the capital punishment. The European parliament is strongly against it. If it happens, that Polish government restores it, we will have to deal with many problems caused by the EU. Nowadays most countries from entire world have no capital punishment in their legal system. In Europe, the only country, which still executes its citizens is Belarus.
Moreover, it is possible that if death penalty is allowed, some people, who are innocent will be killed. It happens that police and layers make mistakes, which may have too serious consequences. In the USA some states allow the death penalty. In previous 27 years, twelve people, who committed no crime, were executed there.
The rate of extremely cruel crimes rises each year. More and more people have had their friends or relatives murdered. It is possible, that they want the murderers to be executed. But would it really make those people suffer less? I really do not think so.
Furthermore, in Poland most people think that the death penalty should be restored. The opinion pools show that more than 60% of Polish citizens support the idea of making death penalty legal and only 20% are strongly against it. Each day in radio or TV we hear about some murders and other crimes. They become more and more brutal. Perhaps people hope, that death penalty will change this situation.
As the previous election was wan by PiS, the idea of restoring the capital punishment will certainly be discussed. Perhaps, if it is allowed and people are executed, there will be fewer murders and violent crimes. Nevertheless, we can never be sure, how it may really look like. Before we make and definite decisions, we have to think the matter over and over. There are certainly many pros and cons of it and people have to be fully aware of them and of all possible consequences of it.
