The Death Penalty

[Mitch]

Do you think the death penalty should be instituted in Canada, or anywhere for that matter?
Do you think the US should abolish it?

I think that the death penalty should not exist anywhere in the world. If a mistake is made, it cannot EVER be undone. Also, statistically, there are more murders and crime in places where there is the death penalty.

[Mr Jolly]

I don't put much faith in statistics, they can be interpreted in many ways. However I don't agree with the death penalty, criminals should be forced to repay their debt to society.

[Locke]

By way of the state paying for their incarceration for the rest of their lives?
I am vehemently opposed to capital punishment, but it must be agreed that practically it is a more efficient option (this is disregarding all moral considerations, obviously. Don't flame me.)

[Cattraknoff]

By way of the state paying for their incarceration for the rest of their lives?
I am vehemently opposed to capital punishment, but it must be agreed that practically it is a more efficient option (this is disregarding all moral considerations, obviously. Don't flame me.)

Methinks murderers and rapists should be perhaps imprisoned for life, but the cost can be reduced. Why not go back to the old tiny stone cells of old, given nothing but what will sustain their life, and nothing to do but make markings on a wall... or perhaps paper and a pen? Perhaps work them during the day.

They shouldn't be given cable TV, nor any comforts. They deserve punishment, not an easy life.

[brookes]

I do think death penalty should not be abolished. It should be awarded to serious crimes, this way criminals will have the fear. This is in the interests of the larger public. More over death penalty is awarded to murderers and rapists. their very existence is dangerous to society.

[lihen]

Death panalty should be practiced for sevier crimes , but it should also be made so hard to give a death panalty that innocents and not slottered in the name of justice

[sufi]

If there is no death penalty then no one would be afraid to do a murder or a series crime. Therefore, I think death penalty should be practiced to one with serious charges.

[Locke]

If there is no death penalty then no one would be afraid to do a murder or a series crime. Therefore, I think death penalty should be practiced to one with serious charges.

It is practically unnecessary. I am sure there are many individuals who would not want to be imprisoned for life, and therefore that will act as much as a deterrent as any past, inhumane practices.

[Gwendl]

Many do not fear death, therefore the death penalty is not a deterrent. They do fear pain and solitude though and such should have to suffer for their actions. So life in a small cell with bread and water would certainly do more to deter someone than a quick needle to the arm and everlasting sleep.

[lihen]

It is practically unnecessary. I am sure there are many individuals who would not want to be imprisoned for life, and therefore that will act as much as a deterrent as any past, inhumane practices.

i do not completely agree with you, If death panalty would not be there for severe crimes people will not be afraid to do such inhuman crimes, but as i already said that Death panalty should be so strictly safeguarded that innocent people don't get trapped in it

[Locke]

i do not completely agree with you, If death panalty would not be there for severe crimes people will not be afraid to do such inhuman crimes, but as i already said that Death panalty should be so strictly safeguarded that innocent people don't get trapped in it

Let us assume that the death penalty would be practiced in such cases as those of mass murderers and serial killers. One who had no qualms about the death of others would likely not care for his own, or even have an adequate grasp of what death is.

[Mr Jolly]

By way of the state paying for their incarceration for the rest of their lives?
I am vehemently opposed to capital punishment, but it must be agreed that practically it is a more efficient option (this is disregarding all moral considerations, obviously. Don't flame me.)

No, they can pay for their own incarceration. Firstly all criminals could have their assets seized and that could go towards the payment. But even the most hard up criminals, or those that hide their funds abroad would still have to pay by forced labour. Send them out cleaning the streets, down the mines, anywhere or anything so long as they are productive.

[Cattraknoff]

No, they can pay for their own incarceration. Firstly all criminals could have their assets seized and that could go towards the payment. But even the most hard up criminals, or those that hide their funds abroad would still have to pay by forced labour. Send them out cleaning the streets, down the mines, anywhere or anything so long as they are productive.

Or we can make it significantly cheaper as well by taking away their cable tv and good food.

Give them slops, enough to sustain them. Put them in a small stone cell and be done with them.

[Mr Jolly]

I like your thinking Cattraknoff, but I still think they should be forced to work to pay off their debt to society.

This isn't about punishment or revenge or justice, or any of that moralistic crap. This is about what really matters in the world. Filthy lucre.

There are a million and one dirty jobs that people don't want to do, make the convicts do them. All this hoo-har about environmental issues, make the buggers route through rubbish separating the recyclable stuff. I pay taxes to keep towns and cities clean, let them scrub the streets with toothbrushes, and scrape up chewing gum with their fingers.

[Cattraknoff]

I like your thinking Cattraknoff, but I still think they should be forced to work to pay off their debt to society.

This isn't about punishment or revenge or justice, or any of that moralistic crap. This is about what really matters in the world. Filthy lucre.

There are a million and one dirty jobs that people don't want to do, make the convicts do them. All this hoo-har about environmental issues, make the buggers route through rubbish separating the recyclable stuff. I pay taxes to keep towns and cities clean, let them scrub the streets with toothbrushes, and scrape up chewing gum with their fingers.

I wouldn't give them the chance to interact with others. Factories, mines, and dangerous construction jobs would suit them better.

And my idea of a minimalistic prison isn't about punishment, not entirely. Indeed people should have some incentive not to commit crimes, something to stop them should their own morals not suffice. Fear of a harsh punishment would almost certainly lower crime rates.

The costs of the "Stone-wall" prison of old which I'd take my inspiration from, would also be significantly lower. Keep them with no luxuries, as they deserve none for what they've done. Some paper and a pen can be their entertainment, they don't need colour TVs.

[Locke]

I wouldn't give them the chance to interact with others. Factories, mines, and dangerous construction jobs would suit them better.

And my idea of a minimalistic prison isn't about punishment, not entirely. Indeed people should have some incentive not to commit crimes, something to stop them should their own morals not suffice. Fear of a harsh punishment would almost certainly lower crime rates.



Economic practicality aside, would this not undermine the notion of a justice system? Retribution on this scale, while lowering crime rates, creates overtaxed systems and inefficiency.
As well, it can be surmised that a nation with such antediluvian punishment policies would have equally paltry social systems, and thus would create more criminals who are forced because of circumstances to break the law. (While it is not empirical to surmise this, it is often observed that this system makes no allowances for crime stemmed from poverty.)

[Cattraknoff]

Economic practicality aside, would this not undermine the notion of a justice system? Retribution on this scale, while lowering crime rates, creates overtaxed systems and inefficiency.
As well, it can be surmised that a nation with such antediluvian punishment policies would have equally paltry social systems, and thus would create more criminals who are forced because of circumstances to break the law. (While it is not empirical to surmise this, it is often observed that this system makes no allowances for crime stemmed from poverty.)

You might opt not to have paltry social systems, whilst maintaining a low-cost prison system that actually punishes people. Perhaps not so harsh for petty crimes, but for the more severe ones, people get off far too easy.

[unknowngiver]

i don't know about death penalty but i don't like how the guy who tried to rob me is being fed in prison by my tax money..i think the sentences should be harsh so criminals think twice before committing a crime.

[Cattraknoff]

i don't know about death penalty but i don't like how the guy who tried to rob me is being fed in prison by my tax money..i think the sentences should be harsh so criminals think twice before committing a crime.

At least he didn't hurt himself in the process and file a lawsuit.

[Locke]

You might opt not to have paltry social systems, whilst maintaining a low-cost prison system that actually punishes people. Perhaps not so harsh for petty crimes, but for the more severe ones, people get off far too easy.

There are few who commit serious crimes in completely normal circumstances. Allowances must be made for the fallacies of human nature.

[Cattraknoff]

There are few who commit serious crimes in completely normal circumstances. Allowances must be made for the fallacies of human nature.

Far be it for me to wish people to have a degree of self-control. They should be held accountable for their actions.

[Locke]

Far be it for me to wish people to have a degree of self-control. They should be held accountable for their actions.

Not when said actions are out of their control. Survival is a very strong instinct, and in certain cases when morality is lessened somewhat in an individual it can easily override any concept of good and evil.
In the past, when tribes and small societies were the prevalent social structure, a severe punishment would be required and administered, as the individual weakened the entire group; however, in a modern society, the act of the offender only affects a few individuals. Draconian acts should not be met with Draconian forms of punishment, if we consider ourselves civil in the least.

[Cattraknoff]

Not when said actions are out of their control. Survival is a very strong instinct, and in certain cases when morality is lessened somewhat in an individual it can easily override any concept of good and evil.
In the past, when tribes and small societies were the prevalent social structure, a severe punishment would be required and administered, as the individual weakened the entire group; however, in a modern society, the act of the offender only affects a few individuals. Draconian acts should not be met with Draconian forms of punishment, if we consider ourselves civil in the least.

When we become civilized, crimes will only be committed by those who would do so regardless.

When that happens, I see no reason not to punish them.

[Locke]

When we become civilized, crimes will only be committed by those who would do so regardless.

When that happens, I see no reason not to punish them.

Apart from our own civility. I am no advocate of incarceration-free states, yet rehabilitation must be provided even to those who have gravely erred. Such a grave air as that of Draconian retribution we must not assume in our actions, lest our graves hold not the air of morality. Often, individuals are beleaguered by circumstances unrelated to their own actions in life - be they socio-economic or problems and diseases of the mind. Rehabilitation offers the only true "civil" recourse in reducing crime and, ultimately, poverty.

[Cattraknoff]

Apart from our own civility. I am no advocate of incarceration-free states, yet rehabilitation must be provided even to those who have gravely erred. Such a grave air as that of Draconian retribution we must not assume in our actions, lest our graves hold not the air of morality. Often, individuals are beleaguered by circumstances unrelated to their own actions in life - be they socio-economic or problems and diseases of the mind. Rehabilitation offers the only true "civil" recourse in reducing crime and, ultimately, poverty.

There are some that are beyond such.