The Issue of the Death Penalty

I have been researching the arguments of the Republican and Democratic Parties supporting their views on the death penalty. In this comparison of each party's views on this issue, the Democrats as a rule do not believe that the death penalty "is mandatory as a measure to control crime". The Republicans on the other hand believe that the death penalty is "necessary to control crime".
In a discussion of the Republican party on Sourcewatch.org, the Republican's view on the death penalty is discussed. Many Republicans view the death penalty as necessary because they think that it is truly the only way to cope with seriously criminal individuals.
Most Democrats do not believe that the death penalty is necessary or that it is an ethical response to crimes. In this discussion of the views of the Democratic party, their general view on the death penalty is discussed. The Democrats do not believe that the death penalty is something that should be practiced, many Democrats believe that death in response to killing is not the right answer,
On this issue I am fully in agreement with the Democrats. I do not believe that the death penalty is an appropriate response to any crime. The death penalty prevents criminals from ever having the opportunity to repent for their crimes. I am not saying that remorseful murderers should go free, however I do believe that it is incorrect to deprive incarcerated individuals of their remaining years, because those remaining years, even if they are spent in jail, could provide the individual with an opportunity to redeem them self in some small way.