Is the death penalty effective?

I am doing a speech for my class and I would like to get other peoples opinions on this topic. I think it is because crime has gone down and plus, it provides closure for families.

 

We have had this discussion before, I'll bring up the thread.

 

I'll go ahead and close this since Calihan has dug up the other thread, although everyone please feel free to continue voting in the poll

**locked**