I do generally agree that capital punishment is counter productive on many levels
corporal punishment makes more sense though, a quick whipping or 6 months in jail? Saves time and money and jail cells.

The acid thing particularly irks me, because it is so hateful.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:24, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

You can't argue that it's okay to whip someone
if you also argue it's not okay to kill them. You either justify to yourself that all forms of corporal and capital punishment is acceptable, in which case you would find it very difficult not to justify the use of torture, or you argue that none of it is okay.

The big question is do you view our justice system as a way to punish people who do things wrong, or as a way to try and rehabilitate them to prevent them doing the wrong things again? Obviously there are always cases on the margins that make people scream and get the tabloids frothing, but that's why courts are supposed to be dispassionate. Hard cases do not make good laws.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:28, Reply)

The law should punish and rehabilitate

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:31, Reply)

error
the law should first be a deterrent
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:41, Reply)

i meant once you've been convicted
i think half of a person sentance should be punishment and the second half rhabilitaion and providing a proper exit stragetgy into the community
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:42, Reply)

You talk so much sense on occasion Al
I'm going to click this, in fact
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:33, Reply)

But then you're no better than the criminals you are punishing.
I see both sides of the argument but I don't think you can ever justify beating people.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:29, Reply)

it costs a lot of taxes to keep them in prison though......
..... think how many old-folks' homes or schools you could build for all the thousands of pounds a week it costs to keep a prisoner......... it's only a few quid for a syringe.....

*opens popcorn*
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 18 May 2011, 10:48, Reply)