Capital punishment raises many issues, both advocating its existence as well as demanding its abolition. But we must be made aware of both sides of this important issue before we can adequately come to the proper decision that may forever affect legislation.

In an article written by Jack Greenberg, who takes an adamant stand to remove capital punishment from our penal system, he argues that one of the most important reasons for abolition is "there has been no demonstrable deterrent effect of capital punishment." He means the death penalty has not caused would-be criminals to stop committing violent crimes. I believe the reason for this is because capital punishment has been used so infrequently, without set guidelines incurring this means of punishment. He also supports the belief that capital punishment is no more effective than imprisonment.

Many supporters of abolishing capital punishment raise the concern that this form of penalty violates our fundamental norms as a society because its distribution has been racially and regionally biased. This statement is emphasized by the fact that of the 43 persons executed between 1982 and 1985, nearly 50 percent of them were black, and the death penalty overwhelmingly condemns those who killed whites.

It is also firmly believed that the indirect message the death penalty attempts to send criminals -- altering established superegos by re-establishing perspectives of right and wrong -- is useless because the many who are affected by this penalty are either mentally disturbed, of low intelligence or have drug- and alcohol-related addictions. These traits require treatment before criminal actions occur.

Ernest Van Den Hagg wrote an article advocating the necessary use of capital punishment stating that "Maldistribution of any punishment among those who deserve it is irrelevant to its justice or morality." This statement is informative and profound when you consider its implications. We must make ourselves aware of the unequal distribution claims between minorities and whites and make every attempt to change them. But the guilt of the executed convicts would not be diminished nor would their punishment be any less deserved.

Although the question of inequality could and should arise, we as a society should play a more informed and direct part in resolving discrepancies, while not losing sight of an individual's guilt. You must realize when people commit a crime, they volunteer to assume the inherent risks of punishment.

Still others will claim capital punishment raises the concern of humiliation and degradation to those executed. I must ask those following this frame of thinking of the similar emotions experienced by the victims in these crimes -- did they also volunteer to play a role in this process? This form of punishment in its own way affirms the criminal's humanity and allows him the opportunity to take full responsibility for his actions.

Certainly we cannot allow this discussion to continue without the mention of those who have been and may continue to be executed unjustly within our "justice" system. To do this effectively you must realize the number of people this includes is incredibly limited. Also, many facets of our everyday lives assume a risk of death with the bright hope of a better future for all of mankind.

Weaknesses exist in all arguments we raise on either side of the spectrum. Whether it is believed the death penalty is administered unfairly among the races and socioeconomic groups, or that it is used so infrequently as a form of punishment, it doesn't matter.

Continuing to erect bigger prisons to "lock-away" more criminals is not the answer. Where do you think the construction financing comes from? What about the excess of $30,000 per year to house each criminal? It all comes from us as a community in the form of higher-priced "everything." All the expenses from housing, food, medical services and burial costs of life-sentence convicts is incurred by you.

Many of those who adamantly support the building of prisons in place of using the death penalty are found at the protests of these proposed construction sites, angry because the "new" prison is too close to their homes. Well in whose community should it be built? I say in the backyard of those who asked for it.