Death Penalty

[goodone]

Here in Jamaica, we currently don't have a death penalty, but it is something that is debated every single day.

Personally I don't know what to think of the death penalty issue, so I would really like to hear what you guys think about this OK?

If a man Kills another should he be put to death? I am not talking about self defense here, I am talking about someone killing another person in cold blood. Do you believe in the death penalty? When there is a death penalty there is a slight chance that innocent people will be put to death also. Is it worth it to have a death penalty even though innocent people will die from time to time?

What do you guys think?

[Administrator]

If someone has good record throughout his life and he murders someone in some specific circumstances then that person should not be hanged.

Death penalty has to be there for most wanted Criminals. You just can't leave Osama with imprisonment as he can break any Jail in the world.

[Dan]

We should have a sort of punishment, like digging holes in the boiling sun or something which will make people scared of going to prison. Our prisons over here are luxury, snooker tables.. and people go on about "Human Rights" but once they have killed somebody.. their human rights should be out the window!

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by Dan

We should have a sort of punishment, like digging holes in the boiling sun or something which will make people scared of going to prison. Our prisons over here are luxury, snooker tables.. and people go on about "Human Rights" but once they have killed somebody.. their human rights should be out the window!

I think they should rename Human Rights and make it Criminal Rights. I've never heard of Human Rights people rescuing any innocent person. They take charge of things only once cops kill terrorists.

[delboy]

"Death penalty has to be there for most wanted Criminals. You just can't leave Osama with imprisonment as he can break any Jail in the world."

For a start, 2 wrongs don't make a right, if the state executes someone by whatever means, all involved right from the judge to the executioner are no better than the killer themselves. Didn't anyone of yous ever make a mistake that was a bit serious?

[John]

Originally Posted by delboy

"Death penalty has to be there for most wanted Criminals. You just can't leave Osama with imprisonment as he can break any Jail in the world."

For a start, 2 wrongs don't make a right, if the state executes someone by whatever means, all involved right from the judge to the executioner are no better than the killer themselves. Didn't anyone of yous ever make a mistake that was a bit serious?

I can honestly say that I have never killed anyone...

[delboy]

would you execute someone who caused a car crash by dangerous driving, in which someone was killed?

[John]

I wouldn't execute anyone, regardless of what they had done.

I would see it as a failing in society.

[delboy]

I'm glad your of the same opinion as me John

[delboy]

Has anyone read this book, which is the true account of a man who spent a number of years on death row, I read it at christmas there and it makes for really good reading.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innocent_Man

[Dan]

But you should feel for those who are brutily murdered / attacked purposely by gangs of youths.

It's usually Alcohol which provokes them to commit such felonies and they try to look "Cool" infront of all their friends.

Prisons aren't prisons anymore, maybe giant houses with bars.

[John]

People need to decide what they want from a prison sentence. Either a prison is there to punish or it is there to rehabilitate the prisoners. At the moment it is failing at both.

[delboy]

"But you should feel for those who are brutily murdered / attacked purposely by gangs of youths."

Your absolutely right there Dan, people who commit such offences should be locked up for a long time and made to reflect upon the crime they commited.

And I agree alcohol is the cause of most these problems. In fact, if the people who served the alcohol actually took notice of the law, they wouldn't be serving people who are already drunk, but that law generally gets ignored. There should also be a limit on how much alcohol can be purchased at one time. All what is needed is common sense, something this Labour government seem to lack.

"Prisons aren't prisons anymore, maybe giant houses with bars."

I couldn't agree more.

In Scotland, 10 years ago, most prisons were hardcore prisons, ie, basic small cells with no toilet, no water taps or hand basin, no electricity sockets or stuff like that. to get a better cell you had to show good behaviour for months before you'd even be considered for one of the better cells.

Now any modern prison cell isn't complete without a colour TV, kettle, CD player, and other mod cons a homeless person could only wish for. There's no incentive to correct your ways in prison these days.

"People need to decide what they want from a prison sentence. Either a prison is there to punish or it is there to rehabilitate the prisoners. At the moment it is failing at both. "

Your absolutely right there John, the taking of ones freedom should be the punishment, the prison, should have the job, of rehabilitating. But like you say that is a failure aswell.

[jon123]

In fact, if the people who served the alcohol actually took notice of the law, they wouldn't be serving people who are already drunk, but that law generally gets ignored.

Just wanted to say 'great point there' You are 100% correct!
When I was in my teens and early 20s, you could not get served in a pub if you were drunk. That wasn't just the odd pub, it was all pubs. It was a strict law in those days and wonder what happened to that law! Am certain we wouldn't have this drunken yob culture if this was still in force.

That said, it is a different more violent era we live in. if you were to get into a fight with someone after a few drinks back in my day, then the worse that could happen to you was a bust lip and a couple of black eyes. These days you could easily be killed, so not suprising that ordinary people like bar staff are reluctant to confront drunks. Although I agree with you that it is a neglected law and needs re-inforcing

[Cassie]

Many years ago I worked behind a bar for extra money.

We occasionally refused to server people but often the landlord overruled us because it meant he was losing money.

But also, in the defence of bar staff, most often the staff don't know the drinks are for a drunk person as they send the soberest person to the bar to get every round in. In a crowded pub it is difficult to see who the drinks are for. 24 hour drinking has not helped - instead of people drinking as much as they can during opening hours they now just drink as much as they can all day. At least before you got a few hours to sober up before you started again.

I certainly agree that most violence is down to drink but much is also the lack of discipline from parents and therefore lack of respect for others that many youths have today. My daughter (17) has been brought up to respect her elders, the police and her environment. If she sees someone dropping litter or parking illegally she is outraged. But I worry for her - if she confronts someone nowadays for these minor offences she is just as likely to get a knife in the ribs as not. In the 'old days' the only time you risked injury was if you did a dangerous job or during such old fashioned things as 'bank raids'. Now for even a simple robbery and criminals 'go equipped'.

As to the original question - the death penalty is a step back too far. But prison should be hard work AND education. No perks until you have earned them - perks should be anything that is not necessary for sustaining life - no-one NEEDS a telly !! But every prisoner should leave with some extra qualification or at least to have upgraded his/her 3 R's. They should also be made to confront their victims to see the harm they have done.