Compassionate Release

[Mling]

I wasn't sure whether to post this in News and Current events, or here. Either way: My thoughts on Compassionate Release, looking at al-Megrahi (the Lockerbie Bomber) and Susan Atkins.

My short answer is that I think Atkins and others like her should be released, but I'm not sure about al-Megrahi, for lots of different reasons.

 

[Sojourner1]

How does a terminal illness negate a life sentence? Seems to me that a life sentence should mean a life sentence.

 

[Axioma]

Hence the term "Compassionate Release" rather than "Mandatory Release Due To Medial Problems".

 

[Sojourner1]

The problem is in defining what constitutes a compassionate release. I think a person should serve the sentence given to them.

 

[jayem]

Hence the term "Compassionate Release" rather than "Mandatory Release Due To Medial Problems".

Exactly. Even though in a case like this, where only comfort measures are indicated, the cost should be nominal. But I do suspect Scotland just doesn't want to be responsible for this guy's medical care anymore.

 

[Mling]

Well, in the article I wrote, I really said nothing about "compassion." The point is that really, this has nothing to do with who those people are. It has to do with what prison is for, and why they should be restrained.
It's a mistake, I feel, to think of this as being about clemency.

And while I didn't bring it up in the article...yeah, money is a factor.

 

[atomweaver]

I wasn't sure whether to post this in News and Current events, or here. Either way: My thoughts on Compassionate Release, looking at al-Megrahi (the Lockerbie Bomber) and Susan Atkins.

My short answer is that I think Atkins and others like her should be released, but I'm not sure about al-Megrahi, for lots of different reasons.

Just read the linked article, and can agree with its general sentiment; when a criminal's diseased body becomes a permanent prison to their mind, a physical prison seems... redundant, somehow. Perhaps that physical prison is still symbolically necessary for the families of the criminal's victims, but it is redundant nevertheless.

 

[Mling]

Just read the linked article, and can agree with its general sentiment; when a criminal's diseased body becomes a permanent prison to their mind, a physical prison seems... redundant, somehow. Perhaps that physical prison is still symbolically necessary for the families of the criminal's victims, but it is redundant nevertheless.

......

Thanks dude...I spent all evening and half the night writing two pages, and you just summed it up, more eloquently, in one long sentence.

 

[quatona]

The problem is in defining what constitutes a compassionate release. I think a person should serve the sentence given to them.

That strikes me as somewhat funny since your entire religion is centered around the idea of a god who hands out undeserved salvation by virtue of his grace.

 

[BlackSabb]

I wasn't sure whether to post this in News and Current events, or here. Either way: My thoughts on Compassionate Release, looking at al-Megrahi (the Lockerbie Bomber) and Susan Atkins.

My short answer is that I think Atkins and others like her should be released, but I'm not sure about al-Megrahi, for lots of different reasons.

I would release the man responsible for the Lockerbie bombing. I'd fly him up in a plane and at 10,000 ft, "release" him. No parachute of course.

What an absolute disgrace and travesty to all the family and friends of those killed in the Lockerbie flight. I really feel for them. That such a monster is released because he has a terminal illness. So what? Let him serve his time and if he dies in jail, so be it.

 

[Mling]

I would release the man responsible for the Lockerbie bombing. I'd fly him up in a plane and at 10,000 ft, "release" him. No parachute of course.

What an absolute disgrace and travesty to all the family and friends of those killed in the Lockerbie flight. I really feel for them. That such a monster is released because he has a terminal illness. So what? Let him serve his time and if he dies in jail, so be it.

Did you read the article at all?