Death penalty - right or wrong

[NailsII]

Recently in the UK we have had a few high profile and horrific murder trials which has resurfaced a debate on the death penalty.

Shocking story of child abuse and murder in a care home - under investigation:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/jersey/7274190.stm
Bus-stop murderer jailed for life:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7264138.stm
Rape and murder of an 18-year old model:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7254628.stm
Murder of five prostitutes in Suffolk:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7258115.stm

So, as some of you have more experience of this than I (especially thise who live in states which use said punishment) I welcome your thoughts. I especially would like to raise the issue of proof, as DNA evidence while not infallable would add a great weight of certainty behind many convictions.
Is it morally just, or unjust to execute a mass-murderer, rapist or child abuser?
Is it morally correct for us to keep them alive, sometimes against their will in luxury prisons at tax-payers expense for the rest of their natural life?
Also, does the potential of sentencing someone to death bear on a jury's decision?

 

[Yusuf Evans]

I believe that an intentional taking of a life, is very wrong. Don't know about the UK, but in the US its cheaper to keep a prison imprinsoned.

I do believe in harsher punishment for those who committ violent crimes, and it doesn't involve living with those who just simply rob a store or use or deal drugs.

 

[GrannieAnnie]

I've been writing to American inmates for over 30 years, mostly lifers and those on death row. A few of the men I've known on death row have been executed. Although I have written and befriended these men I can say, yes, I do believe in the death penalty for those who have committed the worst of crimes. I have been sad about the deaths of my friends, as they often become, but I also understand that the crimes they have committed deserve the punishment they have been ordered. We do not have the death penalty here in Australia.

 

[cantata]

Unless the death penalty can convincingly be shown to be a significantly more effective deterrent than life imprisonment (something which to the best of my knowledge has never been shown to date), it should not be used.

The state's business is to protect the general public, not to hand out retributive punishment.

 

[Meshavrischika]

Death penalty is supportable in some cases (based on circumstance) but not all cases. The long and short of it is I support the death penalty, but not for 100% of people who kill other people (i.e. the battered wife who shoots her husband, etc.).

 

[jayem]

I especially would like to raise the issue of proof, as DNA evidence while not infallable would add a great weight of certainty behind many convictions.
Is it morally just, or unjust to execute a mass-murderer, rapist or child abuser?
Is it morally correct for us to keep them alive, sometimes against their will in luxury prisons at tax-payers expense for the rest of their natural life?

There are some crimes so enormous and abominable that capital punishment would be warranted simply as a matter of justice. I mean, what else would appropriate for Hitler, or Osama Bin Laden, for example? But the criminal justice system is fallible, and death row inmates have been released in the US after new evidence has been examined (often DNA, btw.) So I find it hard to believe that an innocent person has never been executed. I know sometimes it's necessary (like a defensive war,) but I'm troubled by giving government life and death power. I'd rather society err by allowing a heinous criminal to live than by executing an innocent.

And spending your life isolated in a supermax prison is hardly a luxury holiday. It really is a death sentence, just extended over time.

 

[Alexandrah]

State sanctioned murder is wrong.

It is a barbaric act of vengeance, not justice! It does nothing to relive the suffering caused by the criminal.

Just consider the people on death row that have been exhonorated! Their innocence was proven and that alone says to me that it is possible to convict an innocent person of a crime.

Capitol punishment is the ultimate denial of human rights.

"Forgiving violence does not mean condoning violence. There are only two alternatives to forgiving violence: revenge, or adopting an attitude of never-ending bitterness and anger. For too long we have treated violence with violence, and that's why it never ends."

-Coretta Scott King​

 

[Meshavrischika]

It does nothing to relive the suffering caused by the criminal.

I'd venture to say unless you've been there (in a situation that this was provided for) you cannot promote this statement as fact.

 

[cantata]

There are some crimes so enormous and abominable that capital punishment would be warranted simply as a matter of justice. I mean, what else would appropriate for Hitler, or Osama Bin Laden, for example?

The notion that some criminals deserve the death penalty presupposes fear of death.

There are much worse things - but I wouldn't want the government to perpetrate them them.

Is it the government's place to legislate morality? I think not. It is only there to protect people. Do you think that the threat of the death penalty would have put off Hitler or Osama Bin Laden? Will it put off future dictators or terrorists? I really don't think that it would - and if it would not, what would be the point of administering it?

But the criminal justice system is fallible, and death row inmates have been released in the US after new evidence has been examined (often DNA, btw.) So I find it hard to believe that an innocent person has never been executed.

In fact, they have. They get officially pardoned.

I'm sure it's a great comfort to them.

I know sometimes it's necessary (like a defensive war,) but I'm troubled by giving government life and death power. I'd rather society err by allowing a heinous criminal to live than by executing an innocent.

I entirely agree with you. The risk of executing an innocent person makes the death penalty an utterly unacceptable practice, in my opinion.

And spending your life isolated in a supermax prison is hardly a luxury holiday. It really is a death sentence, just extended over time.

Also true.

I'd rather die than spend the rest of my life in prison.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

The dealth penalty is now actually a relief for a lot of inmates on death row. Many of them will tell you that they'd rather go under the needle than spend the rest of their life in lock up. So what the point of even doing it?

Think of it this way, if someone murdered your family, what would you rather have: that person getting quietly and peacefully put to sleep? or spending everyday for the rest of their life in a cage getting beat up by other inmates and constantly having to watch their back?

I think life in prison is a much worse punishment than the death penalty.

 

[supermik3]

i dont think the prison system will fix the first time offenders, the real bad guys should be put away for life.

 

[FaithLikeARock]

Religious Reason: Ironically I just talked about this. Christ fulfilled the Old Testment Law and therefore abolished the punishments sanctioned there. INCLUDING the Old Testement death penalty. So there's half my reason right there. Jesus disaproves.

Logical Reason: Why did they do it, are you super positive it's them, how do you know what's serious enough, how do you know what a "humane execution" is, how long to you hold them until the execution, how do you know if they still show the violent behavior. There are WAY too many details when it comes to the death penalty and in the end they will not all match up. I've never heard of such a case. And with something as fragile as human life, I don't believe there IS any taking chances, because you never know if he may have a recurring disorder, or if he was temporarily insane but no witnesses could recognize it, or if you just have the wrong guy altogether. You just don't know. And you can't just say "well we're pretty sure". Pretty sure isn't good enough. Come back when you're 100% sure and maybe you'll have something. Truth be told, it's obvious the death penalty doesn't stop anyone. You can see the differences (or lack thereof) in murder rates between countries with and without the death penalty.

Because most murder is done under psychological disorder or without any thought under pure rage, people either aren't THINKING about the punishment or they think they've planned it so carefully that there is no way they can get caught.

Now ahead of time, this is a field I'm interested in. I plan to get into a career in forensic psychology and I study cases like this but for all the cases I've seen I've never found one where I thought the death penalty should be resorted too.

 

[Alexandrah]

Maybe Jesus disapproves of the death penalty because he was a victim of it?

Just a thought.

 

[ralphSpoilsport]

I don't believe that any nation that kills its criminals can call itself civilized.

The United States is the company of countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and China in holding to the death penalty.

Shame on us.

 

[quatona]

I don´t see any of the potential purposes justifying the death penalty.
In fact I do not even see how the death penalty really serves any of those doubtful purposes in a way that can be consistently reconciled with the paradigms of my society.

I don´t want revenge to be an accepted (and even less: an institunionalized) motive in solving problems.

 

[quatona]

Maybe Jesus disapproves of the death penalty because he was a victim of it?

Just a thought.

Then again, without the death penalty the entire salvation gag couldn´t have worked.
Also just a thought.

 

[NailsII]

First of all, thanks to everyone who has answered so far; I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on this issue.
I havn't voted in my own poll yet (shock horror) because I'm a bit of a fence sitter on this one. Maybe I just need someone to help me make my mind up....

I've been writing to American inmates for over 30 years, mostly lifers and those on death row.

Just one question - why?

Death penalty is supportable in some cases (based on circumstance) but not all cases. The long and short of it is I support the death penalty, but not for 100% of people who kill other people (i.e. the battered wife who shoots her husband, etc.).

A good point, self-defence is not murder and should not be treated as such.
The point I was trying to get across is that some of those who walk amongst us are as evil as evil can be.
If you knew the cases I had linked to, like the man who has a history of bullying and extorting then starts killing women at random with a hammer - this guy needs a noose around his neck, big time.
I know it doesn't solve anything, I don't think it is any kind of a deterant, but the victims family will see justice being done.

There are some crimes so enormous and abominable that capital punishment would be warranted simply as a matter of justice. I mean, what else would appropriate for Hitler, or Osama Bin Laden, for example? But the criminal justice system is fallible, and death row inmates have been released in the US after new evidence has been examined (often DNA, btw.) So I find it hard to believe that an innocent person has never been executed. I know sometimes it's necessary (like a defensive war,) but I'm troubled by giving government life and death power. I'd rather society err by allowing a heinous criminal to live than by executing an innocent.

And spending your life isolated in a supermax prison is hardly a luxury holiday. It really is a death sentence, just extended over time.

Firstly, the life and death power is being handed to a judge and jury.
Second, an isolated prison cell in the UK with someone on suicide watch costs more than a room at the London Hilton. They have TVs, good food and books, gym access and everything except freedom.

I don't believe that any nation that kills its criminals can call itself civilized.

The United States is the company of countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and China in holding to the death penalty.

Shame on us.

Is there a better alternative?

It sure eases overcrowding.......

 

[quatona]

A good point, self-defence is not murder and should not be treated as such.
The point I was trying to get across is that some of those who walk amongst us are as evil as evil can be.
If you knew the cases I had linked to, like the man who has a history of bullying and extorting then starts killing women at random with a hammer - this guy needs a noose around his neck, big time.
I know it doesn't solve anything, I don't think it is any kind of a deterant, but the victims family will see justice being done.

Which of course is only convincing if you feel that revenge is justice, in the first place.

 

[NailsII]

Which of course is only convincing if you feel that revenge is justice, in the first place.

As opposed to preventing people from re-offending?

 

[Criada]

I don't think that it is ever justifiable to take a life.... we do not have that right, any more than the murderer did. Capital punishment is barbaric and unjustifiable, even for the worst of criminals.
How can society say - we are killing you because it is wrong to kill...?