The Death Penalty

[Pyken]

The Death Penalty. A long debated and highly controversial issue with many strong supporters on both sides. What I want to know is this: Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to homicide?

[Bill]

For some, sure. For others, no.

[Pyken]

For a country.

[Bill]

A country is made up of individuals.

For some individuals, yes, it's a deterrent.

For other individuals, there is no such thing as a deterrent.

It's the Criminal justice system equivelant of MAD- though it is admittedly a 1 way street, lol.

[Horrido]

At the very least, THAT particular criminal will never reoffend. It also offers some solice to the family and friends of the victom. Personally, I'd reserve capital punishment to those you KNOW, definitely, committed the crime. I'd still put rape and kidnapping as capital offenses, too. Horse thieving is still a capital offense in Washington State... I love those old laws still on the books. lol

[Gio]

Well, train wrecking is a capital offense in California. Haha, no pennies on the tracks.

[Kipruss]

I am against the death penalty. If the person has been apprehended you are in a position to leave them in prison until they die of old age if the crime was serious enough. The general public would still be protected.

[Bill]

"I am against the death penalty. If the person has been apprehended you are in a position to leave them in prison until they die of old age if the crime was serious enough. The general public would still be protected."

It costs 35,000 a year to house an inmate. If a 20yo inmate is convicted life, you're going to spend almost 200,000 on him by the time he finally dies in prison.

F that.

[Kipruss]

So it is cheaper to kill someone than not kill someone? I guess if you want to save money you are right to support killing prisoners. I'd rather we spend the money - which we do in NZ.

[Parihaka]

plus there's been several people released from prison after serving time for serious crimes incl. murder because new evidence (confessions, planted evidence, dna etc) has exonerated them. money well spent i say

[Bill]

My math was way wrong.

TO house an inmate for 50 years would cost 1.75 MILLION.

[Donnie]

i am against the death penalty as it currently stands, until there is a way to possitivly prove not just beyond a reasonable doubt, but with absolute certainty of a persons guilt, then a moratorium should be placed on executions.

[Confed999]

I'd rather we spend the money - which we do in NZ.

Actually they become available for release in as soon as 19 years, even when they have them on film committing the crime. Right?

[slippery_chimp]

It costs 35,000 a year to house an inmate. If a 20yo inmate is convicted life, you're going to spend almost 200,000 on him by the time he finally dies in prison.

F that.

Interesting you feel happy to put a price on a human life - who cares if a few innocent people get fried every now then anyho?

[Gio]

Eh, I say let the criminals fry. The vast majority of public opinion supports it, including myself.