The Death Penalty

rubber · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 09:47 PM

For me putting somebody to death is out of the question. No matter what they are accused of I believe the best place is prison. For one, the death penalty is an easy option for those who are guilty of horrific crimes. No way should they get the easy option of escaping life imprisonment. Although for that to be a punishment, we need to realise that human rights should not be given to people who take the rights of others. Nowadays prisoners get too easy a time, and the confidence of our justice system is being made a mock of.

Secondly, the age old question of 'are they really guilty?' lingers. Yes we have had many advancements in DNA evidence, but we still make mistakes. A recently high profile mistake was in the Jill Dando murder. Barry George was imprisoned for 8 years, and would probably have been put to death if the death sentence were active here. It turned out he was completely innocent.

Mistakes are made, the death penalty is not worth it if just one innocent is killed. Make no mistake, prison sentences should be tougher, so that people are locked up away from society forever, but importantly, can be released and given back their life if the police got it wrong.

Louise31 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:24 AM

Surely if they have taken someones life then they should be made to pay for that! Prisons these days are nothing more than glorified holiday camps and they get a nice easy life in prison!

Steve99 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 10:34 AM

I think life in prison should mean life, but I am against the death penalty. I would never want a government so powerful it could take the life of its own people.

AndrewJK · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 11:51 AM

Yes but only when DNA is used and proves beyond reasonable doubt that the person or persons are guilty.

peterf · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 09:59 AM

Why no 'undecided' option. I see good arguments on both sides.

Raffael · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 11:46 AM

Not only is it hypocritical to put someone to death for killing someone, it is also simply wrong.

We do not have the right to end someone else's life, whatever they have done. Nor do I believe that we have to right to end our own lives, it is called the sanctity of life. Of course, there is a balance here between the sanctity of life and the quality of life, but then we are going into euthanasia, and I wish to avoid that.

It is simply not our place to have the decision to end somebody's life.