Righting the Wrongs

Task 4: Panel Discussion – The Death Penalty: Is It Justified?

Your class will now divide into teams to explore one of the roles below. Your role might not reflect your personal point of view, but you will have to imagine you are a part of the group you represent. Each group is responsible for finding three arguments and reasons for or against the death penalty.
In the first part of the discussion, explain who you are and present the problem you have with the death penalty or why you think it is necessary.
In the second part you will be invited to take part in a discussion with the other members of the panel.
Before you start the discussion you might want to find detailed information for your arguments on the Internet.
Try to get as much background information as possible.

Group 1: Anti-Death Penalty Organization

• Why are you against the death penalty?
  
  http://deathpenaltycurriculum.org/student/index.html
  (Have a look at the arguments which are in favour of the death penalty.)
  
  www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~tonya/spring/cap/group1.htm
  (Have a look at the arguments against it.)

Group 2: Pro-Death Penalty Organization

• Why are you for the death penalty?
  
  http://deathpenaltycurriculum.org/student/index.html
  (Have a look at the arguments which are against the death penalty.)
  
  www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~tonya/spring/cap/group1.htm
  (Have a look at the pro arguments.)
  
  prodeathpenalty.com

Group 3: A Journalist

• Have any people who were put to death later been found to be innocent?
• How long does a person normally spend on death row?
• Are people of a certain race or economic status more likely to receive capital punishment?
• How many people under 18 are on death row? How many young people under 18 have been executed since 1976?
  
  clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/dpusa.htm
  The Death Penalty in the USA
  
  usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa122001.htm
  The Average Time on Death Row
  
  apologeticsindex.org/d07.html
  Death Penalty News & Updates
  
  deathpenaltyinfo.org
  Juveniles and the Death Penalty