The Death Penalty in the United States is used almost exclusively for the crime of murder. Of the four goals
of punishment (retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation) covered in this chapter, most people
agree the Death Penalty most closely aligns with the goal of retribution. However, others think it also closely
aligns with the goal of deterrence. Do you agree? How would you respond to someone who thinks the Death
Penalty is not a deterrent because most people who commit murders either do not expect to be caught or do not
carefully weigh the differences between a possible execution and life in prison before they act?