Possible Alternative for the Death Penalty.
The whole premise for the Death Penalty is to Punish and Deter crime. The opposition to the death penalty believe respecting life includes respecting the life of the convicted, who disregarded the lives of those victims. I understand that the belief also includes that the punishment given reflects on the authority who hands out the punishment. So, in keeping with the belief that one must respect the life of murderers, rapists and child molesters here’s my proposal.
1. The convicted will be in prison for the rest of their natural life. Period!
2. The convicted no longer has a name. The convicted will be treated as a number and will be transferred without knowledge of the past name. The convicted will not be communicated with verbally and the possible responses will be multiple choice. And relatives will no longer know of the convicted’s existence.
3. The convicted will be kept in a 8′x10′ room, at all times.
4. The convicted will be allowed one book at a time and one audio recording at a time (audio is controlled by the guard and the convicted will be able to turn it off or on).
5. They will be given 3 meals-a-day and monitored for minor illness.
In exchange for the death penalty, Life in prison should be a punishment. There are many people who could experience a better life in prison than they do free. A punishment should be that, a punishment. And it should be a punishment that makes even the hardest criminal reflect on the victims life. Only then can there be True Rehabilitation of the soul.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
If you really want a deterrent to murder and mayhem, how about if the convicted is faced with the possibility of being put to death the same way as he killed his victim? Bet that would make people think twice if they had to go through what they inflicted on their victims.
Of course, we are far too civilized a society to even think of that. Which I begrudgingly admit is a good thing.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona has the right idea when it comes to criminals. Just the basics, no coddling.
Sheriff Joe for President!!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I don’t think that the convicted think about what they are doing at the time. I’d just like make sure they don’t do it again.
I’ll have to look up Sheriff Arpaio!
August 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
The death penalty will never work as a deterrent because nobody commits a crime thinking they’ll get caught.
And besides, if you want something bad enough to murder someone for it, you’re going to do it regardless of the punishment.
Life in prison is cheaper, more humane, and more civilized. And if you ask me, that would be worse than the death penalty…having to sit in a cell every day, knowing exactly why you’re there.
Death is freedom for convicted murderers.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
So, is Torture better than the Death Penalty?
Life in prison is NOT cheaper! The Death Penalty has gotten TOO expensive.
And the only way the Death Penalty becomes a deterrent is when it’s practiced. Most people don’t know or don’t think the death penalty would be used.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
I would vote for treatment like this. Guy, you are right, either we have the death penalty and use it or get rid of it.