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Capital punishment is a very controversial issue that causes many political, social, and religious debates. Few Americans consider themselves “middle-of-the-road” in respects to this issue. The death penalty causes arguments within Congress, religious congregations, and even family units. There are individuals who believe taking of another human’s life is ethically and religiously wrong, without any exceptions. Others accept the idea that punishment should fit the crime, causing murderers to be essentially murdered as a consequence of their crime. Yet, abolishing the death penalty is not purely about morality issues but also a solution to making devastating mistakes. Regardless of a person’s position on the death penalty the facts confirm that it is inefficient in deterring crime and does not work effectively in our culture, therefore making way for reform. With advances in forensic technology and newly found evidence, many prisoners accused of crimes have been found innocent. In Illinois, for example, 13 inmates on death row had their death sentences reversed since 1977. Some of those particular prisoners were found to be innocent after further investigation. This new finding made Illinois Governor George Ryan very con