Hanging

[joules99]

Seriously do you think hanging/the death sentance should be bought back. I dont think I've ever spoken to anyone who is against it.

[lecheekyworm]

I hate the thought of murderers eventually getting free, but the thought of hanging is abhorrant.  I read that in Europe 2yrs ago a woman was jailed for the murder of her partner's daughter and was in jail for 19months - it was then proven to be someone completely different - so what with all this forensic science - yes hang the guilty but be sure!!

[Ducati]

Am definitely against the death penalty, however, I am in favour of making their (by 'their' I am talking about the most heinous of crimes where there is simply no doubt whatsoever - see Huntley, Nielson, Sutcliffe etc...) life a living hell. Letting them wallow in their own filth for the rest of their natural lives until they die.

[Didwot]

Have a look at some of the case studies on this website, and then let us know if youi support the death sentence.
http://www.innocent.org.uk

[elgroucho]

And as an amusing aside, who remembers the MP Cyril Smith? He was an obese gentleman, who was in favour of hanging, and happened to be born out of wedlock. So, if you called him a fat b@st@ard who wanted hanging, you'd be 100% correct!

[eupraxia]

The death penalty doesn't work. If it did there wouldn't be so many murders in the US and it certainly didn't stop people killing here.

I think Locking them away for a very long time, no TV, no books to read, no one to talk to two meals a day. No time out. Its hard not to think and contemplate what you've done when there is nothing else to do.

Loneliness is a damning thing.

besides why lower yourself to their level.

Eupraxia

[El D]

I find it incredibly sad that in 2005 we still have people that consider the removal of life as a satisfactory answer to our problems. Its never as black and white as tabloids and people would like it to be. Seeing these people and wanting to help, not punish them, is the epitome of civilisation. Sadly most people are not anywhere near enlightened enough to entertain such notions.

[delilahcat]

El D I always find myself agreeing with your intelligent, thoughtful postings. I too am continually saddened that in 2005 we seem no more civilised than we were thousands of years ago.I'd like to bet that a lot of the people who would like to bring back the death penalty would call themselves Christians!

[bernardo]

I am against it.  One of the main reasons is that the death penalty is the esay way out, and is therefore not a proper punishment when compared with a lifetime of social stigma and decades of imprisonment.  That's why Fred West and Harold Shipman took the easy way out.

[joules99]

Indie singer I am 35 so not that young, of course hanging should be bought back, I believe murderers, phoedophiles, importers and sellers of hard drugs, rape should all be hanging offenses. Putting people away in prison simply brushes the problem under the carpet for that period of time, and at a cost. And don't anyone mention rehabilitation, do you really believe Dr Howard Shipman could be rehabilitised, I don't think so, Freddy West, no, so what is the point? Most of you people should see the issues from the VICTIMS side not the offendant and this is the problem with this society all the do gooders trying to do the best, well was it their child murdered by West, was it their grandparent murdered by Shipman, probably not, thank god those two specimans did the best thing they could and killed themselves, but many lesser profiles individuals still live in relative comfort in their prisons at OUR expense.

[Philtaz]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/60seconds/hi/english/briefing/newsid_1702000/1702467.stm

The judge said he was satisfied Whiting was out hunting for children and said he had turned his van into a "moving prison." The court was told the van contained a rope, knife, ties and soft materials.



Roy Whiting imprisoned Sarah in a white van
 
Sarah's naked and decomposed body was found on July 17 in a shallow grave just six inches deep. The court heard that her make-shift burial site would have taken just six minutes to dig.

The pathologist who analysed Sarah's body, told the court that the eight-year-old had met a "violent death" and she was the victim of a "sexually motivated homicide".

Previous assault

It was revealed today that Whiting served just over two years of his four year sentence for a previous assault and he had refused to take part in a prison scheme designed to rehabilitate sex offenders. 



Vital fibres linking the shoe to items in Whiting's van were later found by forensic experts. It was the only piece of Sarah's clothing ever found.

Now, could anyone give me a reasonable explanation as to why this vermin should be allowed to live out his days at the expense of the taxpayer, with 3 meals a day and as many Open University courses as he likes?

I seriously doubt it.

As for the 'wanting to help and not punish them' argument I am often perplexed that the same sentiments are sadly lacking when it comes to helping the parents and families of the unfortunate victims.

We spend far too much time and effort trying to rehabilitate offenders of heinous,incomparable crimes, the vast majority of whom actively deny any such help.

delilahcat, I certainly resent being referred to as a Christian!

[silly moo]

delilahcat , I feel that you spoilt your reply with the last sentence.
Anybody who is actually a committed practising Christian could not possibly agree with the death sentance.
Only the creator - God to a Christian - has the right to take life.
We have GOT to be more civilised than to commit legalised murder or there is no hope for us.

[pjm007]

Philtaz, I couldn't agree more. Being a parent myself and having read your post turned my stomach. I stand firmly by my previous post in this thread, but would also like to add more torture to these sick and vile people who don't deserve any sort of rehabilitation or help, especially at the taxpayers expense. Imagine how the parents of the poor children who suffered at the mercy of these animals feel, knowing that they are helping to fund amenities for them in prison.

[IndieSinger]

Hang on; people are confusing the issues here. Being against the death penalty does absolutely not mean you automatically believe the prison system is adequately 'strict' (respectfully cf. Philitaz). Just because our prisons are too lenient does not mean the only other option is to murder the perpetrator.

The "easy way out" argument is, in my opinion, also a valid point here. If someone was intent on committing suicide, then they could go out and commit allsorts of untold horrors, safe in the knowledge that the death they wanted is to be carried out at tax-payers' expense, safely and quickly. This would not be the case if they had visions of a severe and life-long prison sentence. Whilst I think the imagery of torture is possibly a little too strong, I do think pmj007 is more on the right lines.

[Oneeyedvic]

Just to add some extra opinions:

Firstly a fact though: the majority of people who murder have never commited a crime previously and go on not to reoffend again.

For those people, I do not beleive that the death penalty is the right sentance.

However, for the minority of people who do reoffend or are guilty of mass murder (and I waould also add that these people would not only be found guilty by a jury, but have all the relevant appeals), the death penalty should be reintroduced.

[Jeanie]

People are sitting on death row in America for crimes they didn't commit - see www.wm3.org

[El D]

haha like a certain Mr.Bush who sends retarded mentally ill patients to the death penalty and killed more people in Texas than any past governor yet is still regarded as a bastion of the xstian right . . . but that's another story.

And for those of you recommending torture jesus - what is wrong with you. I bet you wouldnt have the bollox to do it yourself either, or go and watch. Perhaps a trip to one of Saddams little play areas would change your mind. To wilfully inflict that kind of punishment on another human (yes they are human) is quite frankly sick. Perhaps you could watch on sky, make sure hes getting tortured properly. I am literally disgusted, I rank you people with the other criminals who think it acceptable. Pathetic little minds.

I can't be bothered to address each of the points made, but suffice to say they rely heavily on emotion. The point that drives my argument - these people are a product of us, our society. Until we eliminate the root causes of such actions, I believe that we must take responsibility for these people. Putting them in prison is not brushing it under the carpet -. killing someone and thinking you have solved the problem is just naive, and as already said those countries with the death penalty often have far higher crime rates anyway.

Of course victims and their families should have all the help they require, of course the modern prison justice system needs work, but that doesn't mean we return ourselves to the kind of simian, basic measures suggested here.

P.s. How many of you read the dailymail? ;)

p.p.s Thanks Delilahcat for your kind words. It is sad isn't it :(