Whether it's officially part of the system or not, the public's desire to see retribution is definitely on the minds of American legislators when they write law

Whether it's officially part of the system or not, the public's desire to see retribution is definitely on the minds of American legislators when they write laws. Thirst for retribution also plays a roll in the public tolerating abusive police and poor conditions in prisons (which are arguably manifestations of vigilantism.) But yes, I oppose the death penalty, particularly in America, because I don't trust the government to get it right.