Assuming you had accepted the criminals ethos....

[Zacs-Master]

...of 'if you can't do the time, don't do the crime', Would you rather spend life in prison or be executed?

[craft1948]

Well I could manage a couple of weeks......................

[EDDIE51]

Life in prison is bearable for most 'lifers' the ones that didn't abuse or harm children / women. 'Lifers' are at the top of the pecking order in prison , for example they are entitled to a single cell where most have to share.
'Lifers' also can earn the privilege of a 24 hour home visit on occasion. Obviously the 'high profile' prisoners will never get a home visit. As I have stated on here many times I have worked in an open prison and have talked to many 'lifers' . Many life prisoners are those that have committed a murder but under circumstances that will never be repeated, for example after years of harassment when they finally 'snapped'

[gness]

I`d go for life so I could finish the king size patchwork quilt I`m making by hand for daughter.

[EDDIE51]

Read this link before you start the inevitable 'prison holiday camp' routine
http://www.guardian.c...rison-no-holiday-camp
This is the prison I worked in.

[mrsmaveric]

how terrible it must be for someone to be pushed to the very edge that someone feels the need to murder someone whether it be accidental or a premeditated action...

[EDDIE51]

gness, patchwork quilt ? no chance ! needles are banned as are knives apart from plastic ones. Only plastic plates ,cups and mugs as well so that you can't smash them and use the sharp pieces as a weapon.

[nailit]

ive been in prison with lifers and personally id prefer execution.

[HowardKennitby]

Execution every time, assuming it would be quick and painless.

[EDDIE51]

Every single one of the murderers I have spoken to says that a death penalty would not have made the slightest diffrence to what they did . These things in 99% of cases are committed in the 'heat of the moment' and no thought as to the consequences is given. There are notorious exceptions as we all are aware but those criminals will never see a home visit or an open prison .

[starone]

It might give you time to do an Open University Course or something like that. If there was a place you could study in. Haven't i read about this happening or is it fiction?

[HowardKennitby]

For Eddie

I don't think the question is about the value of 'deterrent'. I see it as a choice of which penalty for getting caught the typical criminal would prefer.

[EDDIE51]

Yes some prisoners do open university courses and get degrees.

[starone]

I like living even though it is sometimes very hard so I think I would choose the life option and get out my paper and pen and get studying.

[gness]

Eddie. How do they sew mailbags?

[shaneystar2]

They haven't sewn mailbags for thirty years .
http://www.ethosjourn...00-is-working-working

[jno]

I think Eddie's point is that lifers have seldom "accepted the criminals' ethos"; nor have they stopped to think about whether the punishement might be a deterrent.

[Dee Sa]

to be honest neither !

[gness]

Can`t do the quilting, won`t do the crime then. :-)

[emmie]

life in prison, there might be a chance of parole at some point.

[daffy654]

I was brought up in children's homes from the age of 3 months so I reckon I could adapt to institutional living (prison) better than most.