Life for murder

[Obo]

Should a life sentance actually mean life in prison? And if so would people be willing to pay more in taxes to keep murderers locked up for life? Or maybe the decision that makes economic sense is to reintroduce capital punishment?

[WendyW]

OH I do agree with you Ned.

[bimsey]

Me too...absoluteley.

[StuDapples]

I agree in principle, but how about the warders? What would the prisoners have to lose by knifing the odd one or two? Perhaps berching for the less serious crimes could be a good start - catch 'em young. As for the deterents, I don't think anything is a deterent. Passionate crimes wouldn't be deterred and a criminal doing "a job" doesn't think he'll get caught.

[Obo]

I'm interested in the idea that if you knew murder meant life what would prevent you going on a killing spree once you had committed one murder, your punishment can not be any worse if you kill a couple of policemen, fellow inmates, wardens, the judge... anyone!

[snotmonkey]

instead of longer sentences, the prisons themselves should be made less paletable. remove the tv's, radio's, education programmes and work. prisoners should be kept seperate from the outside world and other prisoners. no magazines no books or newspapers. cells should be moulded from cement with only a fire resistant matress covering the cement structure of the bed. reform and education doesnt work this has been proved, it's time to start punishing. i would willing pay more taxes to know prisoners were getting punished not playstations

[Obo]

I wasn't making a point just taking one of the threads to a logical if somewhat unlikely conclusion

[sft42]

Okay here goes with one of my back the losers. tell this to the birmingham six who were convicted with "sound scientific evidence" as they had traces of nitro cellulose on their hands they must have been the pub bombers. no they had just been playing cards on a train and their only crime was being Irish at a bad time. There are numerous other episodes of mis-carriages of justice with eye witnessess and forensic evidence which has been over-turned on re-examination. Would any of the respondents so far like to knock on someone's door and tell a wife or mother their partner or son was innocent after all very sorry we killed him for nothing hey ho life goes on. The bible may say an eye for an eye but it also said turn the other cheek. ONE mistake on this would be one too many for the family involved and what if it is your family??? It's hard to win an appeal from the grave.

[blackfive]

Couldn't agree more sft42. Talk capital punishment to Timothy Evans' descendants and see how far you get!! The compelling argument against this form of punishment is that innocent people HAVE been put to death!

[PhilLew]

Having the death penalty or a 'life means life' policy does not deter people from commiting violent crimes just look at Florida!

[icecoldin]

I think the reintroduction of capital punishment being considered as an economic solution is a wee bit...dare i say it sick, Obo. As a deterrent, well, have a look at countries that have the death penalty and tell me if it has lowered the murder rate. As for scientific evidence, I don't believe there's such a thing as the perfect justice system. Mistakes are made and yes, believe it or not evidence magically meterialises from time to time in some cases. Foolproof evidence, I believe does not exist and probably never will. There are highly, sophisticated methods of investigation and forensic skills out there, but alas, even these methods are imperfect. How many innocent people do you think are sent to their deaths each year on this planet, I'm willing to bet quite a few. What sort of percentage do you think are guilty? What do you think an acceptable number of innocent deaths is before you can vindicate the use of a death penalty in this so called civilised society?...I really hope you're not thinking of a number. What indeed do you say to the family of an innocent person who was put to death due to an imperfect system?........."oops, sorry"? I'm sure they will great take great consolation in knowing that their loved ones were killed by mistake. I think that it is wrong anyway in a civilised world to legally kill people. I like to believe that human beings are inherently good. I believe that the evil that occurs in this world is due to a social and environmental disease and not explicitly a human one. I think a preventative way of thinking rather than reactionary one would be the best way ahead.

[Obo]

Didn't really answer the question icecoldin, which was should life mean life. I added the bit about capital punishment to provoke a bit of debate and the fact I asked the question does not neccesarily mean I believe in capital punishment. You ask the question what do you say to the family of an innocent person wrongly convicted and given the death sentence, I would also ask what would you say to a mother who meets the killer of their child in the street when the have been released despite being given a "life sentence" for the crime?

[icecoldin]

I didn't say that I thought you were or were not for capital punishment Obo. The question of reintroducing capital punishment is a more interesting question anyway. The question, should a life sentence actually mean life in prison?...i'll answer that one to keep you happy. I don't think it should neccessarily mean life. If a prisoner can indergo some sort of rehabilitation regime then surely this would be a more productive path rather than making people pay more in taxes to keep these people caged for life at the expense of the law abiding tax payer such as your good self, Obo. What would I say to the mother of a victim? (can't recall you addressing my question....never mind). I suppose the word forgiveness comes into the equation then. Would the mother be willing to pay more in taxes and committing the killer to rotting in a cell somewhere... or, would she rather see this person who committed the crime against her loved one, face and deal with what they had done. Therefore facing the world as a better person due to a proper rehabilitation program given within the prison walls.

[Shatnerfan]

Have read virtually the entire thread with interest. To answer the original question I do believe life should mean life. I agree with Ned about tougher conditions in prisons and I do think corporal punishment in schools should be legal. As for the death penalty, whereas I certainly believe a criminal can forfeit his rright to life, does this give the government the right to take life??

[DaveRH]

Referring to the original question - economically it would make more sense to execute prisoners rather than incarcerating them for life. In all honesty it would probably be more merciful as well - but of course denies the prisoners any chance of later being found innocent.