On March 24, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam signed a piece of legislation that abolished the Death Penalty. This sentence has been replaced by life in prison without parole. Due to this legislation, Virginia is now the first southern state to abolish the Death Penalty.

According to deathpeneltyinfo.org, capital punishment was brought to America by European settlers, specifically the British. The first ever recorded execution in America was in 1608 for the execution of Captain George Kendall of the crime of being a spy for Spain. Even back then the laws regarding the death penalty were different depending on the specific state. 

The debate on whether or not the state can put certain criminals to death is still ongoing and is a hot topic for discussion. Certain organizations also populate both sides of the argument, such as the Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation (MVFR) who provide therapy for those whose family members have been killed. Several arguments have been made for the repeal of and and the continuation of the death penalty. 

One of the many arguments against the death penalty is that it violates the U.S. Constitution’s right to life. Just because these criminals violate that law and or do what many would deem horrendous acts does not give the states the right to trample on that right either. The death penalty is also counterproductive to the ideals of society. A society that is supposed to respect life does not kill others for punishment.

One of the many arguments for the death penalty is that it ultimately stops criminals from committing crimes again. If they were let out for “good behavior,” they would have the chance to commit horrendous crimes against more people. The death penalty stops that from happening by permanently stopping said criminals. This permanent prevention also makes citizens safer, knowing that certain horrible people will never be able to hurt anyone again.

Nonetheless, Virginia’s Senate and Governor have passed legislation that has changed the highest penalty to which the state can sentence criminals. The debate will continue as other states decide on the issue. Thus far, 22 out of the 50 states do not have the death penalty, with Virginia joining the ranks as number 23. Whether or not Virginia is the last state to adopt this idea remains to be seen.