Is it time that the USA banned the death penalty?

[Wintermint]

People tend to respond in a more 'emotional' way when some awful crime impacts on them. That isn't meant to be critical - it is just the case.

That is of course why the figure of Justice is usually pictured as blind - a blindfold around its eyes. The law, quite rightly, should be dispassionate so that there is a level playing field for all. And arguably the only arguments for the death penalty are those which include an emotional element.

 

[Myquest55]

Isn't life imprisonment a form of "cruel and unusual punishment" ? This costs the taxpayer lots of money to keep them out of society when an execution would be far more humane and cost effective. This is not for petty theft - these are the few hard-core abhorrent criminals - they need to go. People shoot each other on the street all the time, for less.

 

[Dragonlady]

Isn't life imprisonment a form of "cruel and unusual punishment" ? This costs the taxpayer lots of money to keep them out of society when an execution would be far more humane and cost effective. This is not for petty theft - these are the few hard-core abhorrent criminals - they need to go. People shoot each other on the street all the time, for less.

I'm sorry, but "more humane" for whom? The whole process is anything but "humane".

 

[Camper6]

Isn't life imprisonment a form of "cruel and unusual punishment" ? This costs the taxpayer lots of money to keep them out of society when an execution would be far more humane and cost effective. This is not for petty theft - these are the few hard-core abhorrent criminals - they need to go. People shoot each other on the street all the time, for less.

Except for one thing. How do you correct an execution of a person wrongly convicted and proved later? I couldn't live with myself if I was on that jury.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I don't believe in the death penalty. In a way, it's like letting them off too easily, although for the life of me (pardon the pun) I can't see why they let those they intend to execute stay on death row for so long. Like others have said...hard time, hard work and no creature comforts. Those who are in for child molestation will most likely find themselves in a living hell anyway by the time fellow inmates get through with them. Then of course, there are those who are being exonerated due to new DNA evidence. What if they had been put to death?

 

[Warrigal]

The last person hanged in Australia, was executed 50 years ago in the state of Victoria on February 3, 1967.

The death penalty was abolished state by state. The federal government will now not allow extradition of any person to a country where they may be subject to the death penalty. This ban includes the US.

 

[Dragonlady]

The last person hanged in Australia, was executed 50 years ago in the state of Victoria on February 3, 1967.

The death penalty was abolished state by state. The federal government will now not allow extradition of any person to a country where they may be subject to the death penalty. This ban includes the US.

I believe Canada has a similar ban

 

[Knight]

Death penalty sounds like a moral dilemma, best solution would be for God to sort it out. Have to hope though the decision doesn't come down to an ark. There was no problem wiping out all humanity except for the chosen 8. Any boat builders posting here?