The death penalty.

[rocketpig]

TheRealMafoo said:

rocketpig said:

Generally, I'm against it. The death penalty hasn't proven to be a deterrent to crime and the cost of executing someone is higher than incarceration.

To me, it seems pretty pointless and reeks of petty vengeance, not a desire to actually improve society.

If you really keep them in jail until they die, I really don't care. The sad thing is that's not what always happens. This however, is what the death penalty does deter:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1540632/Convicted-murderers-who-were-set-free-to-kill.html

80% of all crime is caused by 20% of criminals. This means only 1 our of 5 crimes is by someone who didn't commit one before. There is little hope rehabilitation. Most people who commit a violent crime, will do it again if given the chance.

If it's murder, not sure why you would ever give them that chance.

Oh, I'm fully aware of that, which is why I'm "generally" against it. I'm not against the idea of killing someone if it's a cheaper alternative to jailing them for life and the person is truly beyond rehabilitation.

The thing is that it's not so we may as well just lock them up for eternity until a better solution comes along.