Okay, seriously, with the death penalty thing, it is something a lot of people have a hard time with. It is good it is reserved for extreme cases, and I think some people do get off too easy. Many of those same people who oppose the death penalty also are opposed to rough living conditions for prisoners. If it ends up that person living, while not in ideal conditions but much better conditions than a good percentage of the worlds population, then what is the point, and the families of his victims supporting him with their tax dollars. Then there is something wrong. I don't know what the current statistics on the recidivism rate is in the US currently, but it is usually shockingly high. A big part of this is, I believe, because criminals find prison comfortable and preferable to facing the real world. After their times are served, it doesn't take long for them to decide they need to return. If the purpose of prison is punishment, then this should not be the case, they ought to run toward freedom and never consider doing so much as parking in a handicap spot ever again. However, if the purpose of prison is merely a holding pen to separate criminals from the rest of society, then this is probably about right. I don't know much about prisons, but I know there are some worse than others. I think if we turn away from the death penalty, it should be in favor of a pretty rough life for the criminals. I am not talking spiked coffins, hot coals, or mutilations of any sort. But I think they should have to endure hard labor (nothing inhumane) that is productive enough to bring in some kind of revenue, which ought to be used toward supporting their stay in prison. Any income they bring that may be left over should be given to the families of the victims. Instead of using foreign labor to produce our goods, why not use the labor of death penalty level prisoners. Just a thought.
Okay, seriously, with the death penalty thing, it is something a lot of people have a hard time with. It is good it is reserved for extreme cases, and I think some people do get off too easy. Many of those same people who oppose the death penalty also are opposed to rough living conditions for prisoners. If it ends up that person living, while not in ideal conditions but much better conditions than a good percentage of the worlds population, then what is the point, and the families of his victims supporting him with their tax dollars. Then there is something wrong. I don't know what the current statistics on the recidivism rate is in the US currently, but it is usually shockingly high. A big part of this is, I believe, because criminals find prison comfortable and preferable to facing the real world. After their times are served, it doesn't take long for them to decide they need to return. If the purpose of prison is punishment, then this should not be the case, they ought to run toward freedom and never consider doing so much as parking in a handicap spot ever again. However, if the purpose of prison is merely a holding pen to separate criminals from the rest of society, then this is probably about right. I don't know much about prisons, but I know there are some worse than others. I think if we turn away from the death penalty, it should be in favor of a pretty rough life for the criminals. I am not talking spiked coffins, hot coals, or mutilations of any sort. But I think they should have to endure hard labor (nothing inhumane) that is productive enough to bring in some kind of revenue, which ought to be used toward supporting their stay in prison. Any income they bring that may be left over should be given to the families of the victims. Instead of using foreign labor to produce our goods, why not use the labor of death penalty level prisoners. Just a thought.