31 replies to this topic

[Melchoire]

I agree with you wholeheartedly that no one should be punished for a crime that they didn't commit, being put to death (Capital Punishment) should be reserved for circumstances in which there is indisputable evidence that the guilty person (person who committed the crime) has been sentenced.

Capital Punishment serves as a deterrent from others much more so than it is a delivery of justice, most people do not wish to die and committing a crime in which you can receive this sentence is enough to deter most people that do have the guts, see the What is Your Stance thread, from pulling the trigger.

I'm not sure that that's the case. From what I've read in the past there's very little evidence that harsher sentences effectively deter harsh crimes. It's analogous to the drug war; there are harsh penalties but drug consumption and trafficking is showing no signs of decline.

I agreed with Bone on that one, I don't think it's main purpose is to deter but instead to deliver justice. If you want to prevent your citizens from committing gruesome murders you need to dive much deeper into the issue.

[Yung]

The Death Penalty Information Center has evidence to agree with you. It just really seems to me as though that should be a deterrent. :-/

[Melchoire]

The Death Penalty Information Center has evidence to agree with you. It just really seems to me as though that should be a deterrent. :-/

There are deeper social issues at play in this case. You have to look at the motivation behind the killings, the general state of the nation(people with shitty lives will risk said shitty lives to make money regardless of penalties), and other factors.

With serial murderers, killing is somewhat of a "hobby" for them. It's their reason to live, so there isn't really a penalty harsh enough to deter them.

[Yung]

Understandable, though I still am inclined to believe that it does deter some people.

[Melchoire]

Understandable, though I still am inclined to believe that it does deter some people.

Of course, but like I said it's more effective to target the problem at a social level. In the mean time when someone chops up prostitutes in their basements, capital punishment will be there to give justice to the victims.

[Frizzle]

capital punishment will be there to give justice to the victims.

Subjective.

[trizzle]

I don't agree with capital punishment for any criminal, not even for murderers or rapists. I think they should be made to live out the rest of their lives in imprisonment so they can really suffer.
I understand that it's a big drain on the resources of governments but I just don't think that as humans we should have the power of life or death over people (not as part of a justice system anyway)