Life in prison or death

I often think how someone would cope with being locked up for life or facing the death penalty.Knowing that you would spend the rest of your life locked away would be a mind blowing experience, i think far worse than the death penalty especially in some countries where prison life may not be as pleasant as a modern western prison.
How would you cope ?waking every morning in a crowded cell with some guy next to you coughing his lungs up because he has TB or the other guy next to you with faeces all over his hands wanting to be your best friend and knowing that this is what you will be doing for eternity,where is the reason to even live.Never seeing your kids or family ever again or if they still want to know you, reaching out through cold steel bars to feel their touch ,Knowing that each time your wife visits that she is going home to another man who is sleeping in your bed and teaching your kids to ride a bike. To scared to sleep because the sicko next to you said he will cut your throat any chance he gets.
At least if you are on death row you just wouldnt give a Sh@t ,You would have something to look forward to in a way.
Yeah i know many will say that these rapists, paedophiles,murderers etc deserve this living hell and this isnt about gaining sympathy for them.Just put yourself in this position for a moment, perhaps you were sentenced and were innocent,to me that would make it even worse.
I would like to go into more detail but i dont have time at the moment.
Thanks for your thoughts/input.Here is some thinking music
www.youtube.com...

This is a topic I have discussed with many people over the years. I know many will disagree but I know that I would be much happier (as happy as you could be in such a situation) knowing that the person who murdered a family member or friend will spend every single second of their life rotting in a cell, death is getting them out of suffering for their crime.

I know, death is the ultimate punishment, & I can only imagine the growing fear as the day approaches, but that day will bring an end, Id prefer that person suffering for the rest of what would hopefully be a long life. I believe a study has also shown it is more expensive to go through the execution process (appeals etc included) than to keep someone for life.

I believe a life sentence should be just that, the term of your natural life, not chance of parole, no visitors, no hope, no socialising, just every second of your life stuck alone in a small cell.

That said, the penal system needs to toughen up also. I believe there is a very tough warden somewhere in Texas who makes his prisoners work for the state, wear pink clothing, live in tents etc etc. He is hard, & its worked.

I am sure someone in such a situation (eg victims family) will argue no, eye for an eye, I want this person dead, why should they breath when ??? is dead ? I know, its not fair, it sucks, but personally, I dont want that person getting away with a short sentence as the death penalty is (relatively), Id rather them have as much time as possible to suffer in isolation.

Again though, the prisons need to be hardened up, just stick them in a cell, send their food etc in via a hole, no visitors, no exercise yard, no nothing, the door doesnt ever open until they have died of old age.

This also gives the chance for those who are innocent of getting out. I have no idea how many but I know there have been innocent people executed, thats not justice.

If someone hurt my family, I would want them on the street where I could get to them!! I might post their bail for them. I don't want them put to sleep humanely, and I don't want them watching cable television and playing cards with their buddies, eating 3 meals a day on my dime!!

As for life in prison in general, what a waste of time, resources, and space! Put em down quick!

Now, if I were ever convicted of something, and I had my choice, I would choose life in prison, because I would spend every waking minute plotting my way out of there! Give me 20 years of routine in the same place, and I guarantee I am gonna spot some opportunities. I would rather die escaping than die waiting, or die in a clinically induced euphoria where I barely know I am dying.

I've said it plenty of times. When I go, I want there to be blood. I don't wanna go in my sleep, I don't wanna go peacefully, and I surely don't wanna go on some pain and mind-killing drugs. I wanna know full well the end is coming, and do everything I can to prevent it.

Here's another idea.

Have the death sentence, but with the intention of never carrying it out (without the prisoners knowledge, I know the word would get out eventually).

Make the scum walk that green mile once every 6-18 months & go through the anguish of it over & over again. If they want to die, well they suffer in the dissapointment the sentence got 'commuted' again & again & again.

I can only imagine the fear of making that walk to your inevitable death (& yes I agree, a humane way is not punishment), it must be terrible, & experiencing that over & over would not be fun.

I know its not practical & the human rights gang would complain to no end, but thats the sort of punishment (the anguish of the walk) these people deserve to feel over & over.

Again, there should be no luxuries in prison, no TV, no visitors, no reading material, just food & plenty of time to think.

What a tough choice! There are so many factors to ponder when deciding if someone should live...and rot in a cell, or to die and be done with it.

Well, the way I see it, human life is a unique thing, as far as we know, and it would be hypocritical to take someones life, after they have taken at least one already. Most societies have laws against murder, some use the death sentence as a punishment, but who is to say that one is morally better than the other?

As a punishment, we should lock all of these hardened criminals in one big cage. Let them kill each other so that our hands are clean. The criminals can do our own dirty work without a stain on our consciousness.

This sort of isn't answering your question, my apologies 12volts...but I think we should go back to almost an 'eye for an eye' variation where if a criminal murdered someone, their family member would have the chance to put a hot piece of lead through the guy. It's not exactly human, but I don't know...I think it would be better than a machine doing it. It gets the job done but maybe if a family member actually did it, the redemption would be a little more rewarding than "He was killed by electricity or poison." Maybe I've just got a few loose nuts rolling around in my head but it would save on resources while serving two purposes: Redemption and punishing him.

reply to post by philosearcher


[edit on 20-8-2010 by 12voltz]

Give me death. I wouldn't wish life imprisonment on my worst enemy.

2nd line.

[edit on 20-8-2010 by LifeIsEnergy]

reply to post by 12voltz


Apologies 12voltz...I didn't catch what you posted before the edit (then again, you probably edited for a reason). Also just wanted to apologize for getting your name wrong...ugh, I hate when I do that. Anyways, if you care to share the post anyways feel free to U2U me and yeah, there were quite a few typos in my last post as well. I was probably tired

And kind of on topic again from the OP but I still do stand with what I said sort of, I mean...It's kind of wrong...just a little more purposeful than sitting in a cell or even just dieing by the hands of the government. If I had to choose I would choose death most likely...then again? I can't really say.

reply to post by philosearcher

Hi ,I posted a story that happened to some close relatives while i was overseas but it was a tragic murder and i wasnt sure whether or not i should post it here so i wiped it after some more thought.I may think about it little longer or change some of the details .It was a true eye for an eye story which made me think of this this thread.The last time i was going to post the story the victims husband walked in the door and i just deleted it.Thanks


[edit on 24-8-2010 by 12voltz]

The sad thing is there is only 1 judge and the many others who act like Alpha I dont know if he likes it all like that. Especially w/o having the true ability to see if someone is really innocent. LOOK @ HOW MANY HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED and when they are found not guilty after losing any amount of their life but more so those who sat for 1 or 20 years. How is this balanced by ALPHA for stealing from someones lifetime???? In society there is no balance just a sorry mabey some money and thats it. SO life in prison or death sentence is a fragil situation, for those making decisions are evaluated from above for how they manage another life. The EYE FOR AN EYE TO ME FITS BEST FOR MOST WHO NEED JUDGED W/O ALPHA. MEANING YOU KILL MY FAMILY MEMBER THEN THE SAME HAPPENS TO YOU. You RAPE MY FAMILY MEMBER YOU DESERVE THE SAME TREATMENT ect...

[edit on 8/24/10 by Ophiuchus 13]

I don't believe in the death penalty and no it is not religious based. As human beings we are here to give life not take it away - to take away a murderers life is just putting ourselves on the same plane as the murdurer. Killing is killing no matter how you look at it. But a severe punishment is definitely necessary. A prison without comforts - solitary confinement, very basic food and a hard bed, no sunlight, no music or entertainment of any kind, no visitors - much more severe than the death penalty. People today given the death penalty know it will be years before it comes about anyway - they are treated almost like celebraties - attorneys working for them, in the news, telling their horrific stories, treated well. Some have even died a natural death before being put to death. IMO