Name: Yeo Hui Xian Cheryl (A0202404B) Tutorial Class: T22 Topic: Does Pojman’s theories of punishment support the moral permissibility of the death penalty? Thesis: Pojman’s utilitarian and retributivist theories are unconvincing in supporting the moral permissibility of the death penalty. Firstly, it fails to show that the death penalty is an effective method to deter potential crimes. Secondly, a flaw of the utilitarian theory is the possibility of wrongful convictions so long it is able to act as a deterrence. Also, it is impossible to impose proportionate punishments on the accused according to what he has committed. Lastly, it failed to consider that the death penalty of the accused is not the only punishment to bring closure to the families of the victims. These reasons are clearly demonstrated in the case of Singapore. The supporting reasons are: (1) In contrast to what Pojman asserts, the death penalty fails to show its effectiveness as a deterrence to potential crimes. This is reaffirmed with drug trafficking being on the rise in Singapore despite the increased awareness of the death penalty (Ungku & Daga, 2019). (2) Since the utilitarian is focused on the results of deterrence (Pojman & Reiman, 1997), this shows the likelihood of framing, resulting in wrongful convictions. This possibility violates the essence of justice and leads to the loss of an irrecoverable innocent life (Tang, 2019). 1 (3) The idea of proportionality is impractical. It is impossible to inflict the same suffering on the accused that he has caused to his victim. For instance, the accused in the infamous case, Toa Payoh Ritual Murders (The Straits Times, 2016), were sentenced to death despite what they have done to their victims. (4) As the retributivist theory assures the proportionality of crime and punishment, it assumes that the death penalty brings closure to families of murdered victims. However, there is an inclination towards life sentence without parole (Armour & Umbreit, 2012), which is regarded as more severe. [Words: 300] Reference List Armour, M. P., & Umbreit, M. S. (2012). Assessing the Impact of the Ultimate Penal Sanction on Homicide Survivors: A Two State Comparison. Marquette Law Review, 96(1), 17. Pojman, L. P., & Reiman, J. (1997). The Death Penalty: For and Against. Rowman and Littlefield. Tang, L. (2019, May 27). Facing the gallows, man walks free after S'pore apex court quashes drug trafficking charges. Retrieved from Today Singapore: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/facing-gallows-man-walks-free-afterspore-apex-court-quashes-drug-trafficking-charges The Straits Times. (2016, May 15). Guilty As Charged: Adrain Lim and his 2 'holy' wives kidnapped, tortured and killed 2 children. Retrieved from The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/guilty-ascharged-adrian-lim-and-his-2-holy-wives-kidnapped-tortured-and Ungku, F., & Daga, A. (2019, July 31). Singapore says drug smuggling worsens, even as hangings rise. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-law-drugs/singapore-says-drugsmuggling-worsens-even-as-hangings-rise-idUSKCN1UQ197 2
