If the death penalty was enforced uniformly and vigilantly it would maybe an effective detterent to violent crime. As it stands right now in most states it is a joke. 70% of criminals sentenced to death in the United States die in prison anyway..and as for spending the rest of your life in prison being "punished" with cable tv, 3 hot meals and a bed most of these guys are probably improving their street situation.. The USA needs some serious reforms to its justice system (less lawyers) but it is still among the best in the world.