Do you support the death penalty?

[drearysunrise]

I saw a related conversation on here and I'm curious what the distribution of responses would look like from this site.

To clarify, the second option is saying you believe there should be a moratorium on using the death penalty until/unless certain changes can be made to the criminal justice system. If you believe reform is warranted but that it is still worth using the death penalty in some cases given the current state of affairs, that would fall under Yes.

 

[HarryCobean]

Only for people who really annoy me.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I not only support it, but I think it should widely be considered a lighter sentence than life in prison. Why should the worst criminals be the ones lucky enough to have their lives ended abruptly so that they may be free of suffering? Sure many of them are afraid of death but it still seems anticlimactic to let someone get away with a mere lethal injection. I suppose if the method of the death penalty were more painful then I guess that's another thing to consider…

 

[Ambivalent1]

Empty death row to the afterlife

 

[EvisceratedJester]

The death penalty doesn't do a very good job at deterring crime and there is a long history of it being used disproportionately on those from marginalized communities. That's not even getting into the cases of people who end up going on it despite being innocent. I don't think the government should have the ability to just kill whoever they want and I find the death penalty to be very unethical.

 

[KillingPain267]

I saw a related conversation on here and I'm curious what the distribution of responses would look like from this site.

To clarify, the second option is saying you believe there should be a moratorium on using the death penalty until/unless certain changes can be made to the criminal justice system. If you believe reform is warranted but that it is still worth using the death penalty in some cases given the current state of affairs, that would fall under Yes.

No, I am an anarcho-pacifist, so I don't support any "penalties", let alone the death penalty.

I not only support it, but I think it should widely be considered a lighter sentence than life in prison. Why should the worst criminals be the ones lucky enough to have their lives ended abruptly so that they may be free of suffering? Sure many of them are afraid of death but it still seems anticlimactic to let someone get away with a mere lethal injection.

This! I also consider life in prison to be worse. Because prison is essentially legalized kidnapping, hostage taking and torture all in one (if that sounds crazy, just imagine if your neighbor kidnapped and held 5 people captive in his basement because he says they ripped him off, insulted him or played loud music or something. People would say he is a psychopath). Isolation is known to cause long term mental issues even after release.

And yes, if I lived in a death penalty country I would offend the law and turn myself in, even if it was hanging or electric chair. Because when others do it to you, SI is a non-issue. You just have to distract yourself a few moments, maybe hyperventilate as they tie the noose (in the ancient Near East and Rome even they used to give wine to those about to get executed, similar to how hospitals now give morphine as part of palliative care).

 

[3/4Dead]

That second option is such a perfect descriptor.

In the US, and good God, the justice system needs to be wiped out and started over. It's not that I'm against executing people who are absoloutely unredeemable, it's that I'm against the government, which I trust about as far as I can dig on the property before I'm escorted away from the white house (not a conspiricist just thought this joke was funny), having the power to choose to kill anyone they please as long as they can string together a comprehensible defenese.

 

[cryone]

in theory, i find it great. much more liberating than life in prison. however, its an irreversible decision where lives r rly being gambled by the inadequate justice systems. in the US, a relatively significant proportion of proportion of death row prisoners r innocent. Estimates say around 4%, which dont seem high but r actually v concerning given that the chance of an american experiencing a plane crash is near 1 in 5 million. Not to mention its extremely expensive, not exactly b/c the drugs themselves, but b/c the irritating system as a whole.

 

[thirdtimesthecharmg]

I not only support it, but I think it should widely be considered a lighter sentence than life in prison. Why should the worst criminals be the ones lucky enough to have their lives ended abruptly so that they may be free of suffering? Sure many of them are afraid of death but it still seems anticlimactic to let someone get away with a mere lethal injection. I suppose if the method of the death penalty were more painful then I guess that's another thing to consider…

I agree with this.

I'm in favor of the death penalty, but only advocate it for myself, and I strongly agree the current methods are not extreme enough.

I was too weak to execute the light sentence I had passed on myself. I've certainly thought of worse I deserve but would require assistance to complete, because I know that I'm too cowardly to do what must be done to myself.

But prison is a good substitute in the meantime, in terms of ensuring my suffering and preventing any further harm, and then I can see whether I can carry out my own sentence after that.

 

[DeIetedUser4739]

Yes

 

[UnluckyBastard]

Absolutely. However it should be mentioned that the legal system in the USA is extremely slow, and the qualifications for death row vary by state. Additionally, there are crimes that do so much damage to a person/community that they deserve the death row. If I had a say in it, here's how I'd fix the death row process:

1. All death row inmates are to be executed 1 year after their sentencing date.
2. Crimes against children should qualify for the death sentence.
3. Possession with intent to sell should absolutely qualify for the death sentence.
4. All executions must be without pain. Any instantaneously/death executions that qualify can apply.

I know it's bare bones but there are some things that can be ironed out. Regardless, something needs to be done.

 

[i dont feel real.]

I support the death penalty. The fact that there is motherfuckers out there that can kill other people without anything happening to them just makes me MAD. I'm here felling like shit, sometimes wishing to CTB and here comes a motherfucker murderer who killed innocent people and he is enjoying life? Nah nah. Death penalty, but, just after they determinated the person really has committed those crimes and isn't innocent. And with a painful death. They deserve it.

 

[DarkRange55]

President Trump reinstated the federal death penalty

Federal Government to Resume Capital Punishment After Nearly Two Decade Lapse

Attorney General William P. Barr has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to adopt a proposed Addendum to the Federal Execution Protocol—clearing the way for the federal government to resume capital punishment after a nearly two decade lapse, and bringing justice to victims of the most...

www.justice.gov

I've discussed this before and this is something I haven't totally made my mind up about. In most circumstances no, I don't. There are very rare circumstances where I do. Probably. Not because as a revenge thing or a punishment but there's just some people that are too dangerous to be left alive. A lot of people want to use capital punishment (the state) as a revenge tool and that's not the right way to go about it. Some people are just too dangerous to be left alive. Like Osama Bin Laden. If we had ever captured him then he should have been executed . He is too much of a threat. Or Ted Bundy, he's just going to go on murder sprees, he cannot be trusted anywhere. He should probably be executed. But somebody who kills their wife or in a gang shooting, they probably don't deserve the death penalty because there are extenuating circumstances and there's no guarantee that this individual is gonna do this again.

You can then get into the debate of being a martyr, ect.

I see no logically justifiable reason to kill another human being for any reason. Unless of course to save an innocent life from immediate and mortal harm. Considering how flawed our judicial system is and the possibility of a wrongful conviction. I don't believe it's necessary a strong determinant.

Life in prison is more of suffering but keep in mind, prison conditions in America are bleak. There may be essentially use of slave labor. But compared to somewhere like the UAE or Thailand or the US in the 1930's, it is better. A lot of prisons are private which I don't think I agree with. The prison guard's union is one of the strongest unions. But these inmates (are supposed to anyway) get decent medical and dental care, some level of safety from the elements (minimal heating and cooling), three meals, showers, TV, exercise equipment, social time, ect.
While the argument can be made, should the state have this power to hold people, one can also ask should the state or an individual or a body of people have the right take someone's life (against their will)?

There is the high cost associated with everything- much of which can be appeals to overturn… idk

 

[General Alek]

Nah

 

[bb3300]

Death is more humane than life of suffering in prison.

 

[DarkRange55]

I forgot to mention, its not they are just going to walk out of a maximum security prison…

 

[Ferdinand Bardamu]

To an extent, yes. I mean, I think there are certian people who simply cannot be fixed. Jon Venables is a good example. He's a pedophile (which is something we know is innate and un-changing,) a child murderer, and so on. I don't care that much about the "morality" of this sort of thing, but I don't think there is any way to "fix," or "rehabilitate" him. Also, crime and low IQ are known to be correlated because one of the main signs of a low IQ is a lack of impulse control. If we assume IQ is heritable, well there's nothing we can do besides lock them up. But, here's the thing, locking people up costs A LOT of money. If they can't be fixed, it's a waste. So, overall, yeah I support the Death Penalty in some cases.

 

[SoulWhisperer]

I'm on with the thing if it's properly taken care of, regulated, sensed and not corrupt. If it's only employed as last resort for violent criminals that ruined and took lives of others; I think it's rare to steal something more valuable than life from a person that wants to live. Although I understand how people could be against this penalty.

 

[potablewater784]

To an extent, yes. I mean, I think there are certian people who simply cannot be fixed. Jon Venables is a good example. He's a pedophile (which is something we know is innate and un-changing,) a child murderer, and so on. I don't care that much about the "morality" of this sort of thing, but I don't think there is any way to "fix," or "rehabilitate" him. Also, crime and low IQ are known to be correlated because one of the main signs of a low IQ is a lack of impulse control. If we assume IQ is heritable, well there's nothing we can do besides lock them up. But, here's the thing, locking people up costs A LOT of money. If they can't be fixed, it's a waste. So, overall, yeah I support the Death Penalty in some cases.

This is probably country dependent, but at least in the US subjecting someone to the death penalty can cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars more than life in prison (as the process of trial and appeals understandably takes a lot of resources). There are many articles about this, but here is one of them if you're interested.

Of course, this isn't to say that the death penalty is necessarily a bad thing since there is still the question of justice.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I lean towards supporting it if the justice system was infallible but I don't think it ever will be.

I suppose it's two fold. A punishment and, financially more sensible. Why should tax payers contribute to keep murderers and rapists alive?

That said, if it is about punishment, sometimes I can't help but think some criminals deserve worse than a peaceful exit. Not to say they should be tortured but- take someone like Chris Watts.

Trigger warning here! He strangled his pregnant wife. Drove her body alongside his two young daughters out to a massive oil storage tower. Smothered one child in front of the other, did the same to the second child and then, pushed their bodies through a tiny hatch in the oil towers.

Their families didn't actually want the death penalty for him. He says that he's haunted by the voice of one of his children begging 'No Daddy' as he smothered her. And it serves him bloody right. You kind of hope he lives with that for the rest of his days. Maybe that is a more fitting punishment. Maybe death is too kind for some people.

 

[LiuKang]

I saw a related conversation on here and I'm curious what the distribution of responses would look like from this site.

To clarify, the second option is saying you believe there should be a moratorium on using the death penalty until/unless certain changes can be made to the criminal justice system. If you believe reform is warranted but that it is still worth using the death penalty in some cases given the current state of affairs, that would fall under Yes.

yeah. If someone molesters a child or traumatises a child then they deserve to die as soon as possible

 

[ijustwishtodie]

No, I don't support the death penalty because I believe that the people who have committed crimes deserve to suffer. Death would make the criminal escape from their crimes

 

[CatLvr]

I do. I didn't used to, but then I worked for an attorney who was in the automatic appeals process here. Which meant I had to talk to these guys. Yeah, no. Some people just need killing.

 

[Callie Arcale]

Nope, I don't support the death penalty.

Firstly, because there have been cases of false imprisonment and I find the thought of killing an innocent person absolutely unbearable.

Secondly, because death is swift and the criminal doesn't suffer. The punishment for a horrendous crime should be just as bad: solitary for the rest of their lives, in a small room, no window, very little food, no entertainment of any kind such as books or tv. That's a punishment fit for a horrendous crime.

 

[CTB Dream]

Dth pnlt wrng this also ppl try lmt prblm say prblm 1 prsn ignr all life prblm, this also sntmt vnge v wrng, vnge make mnstr, ppl say if prsn do crm big but ignr all life all form sffr ignr anml etc this all sffr, hate need end no cont, ppl need admt human posbl hrbl need think way lif btr no scpgt 1 prsn,

 

[Steff1337]

No, I don't support the death penalty, because I believe that spending your whole life in prison is worse then death.

 

[yellowjester]

Dth pnlt wrng this also ppl try lmt prblm say prblm 1 prsn ignr all life prblm, this also sntmt vnge v wrng, vnge make mnstr, ppl say if prsn do crm big but ignr all life all form sffr ignr anml etc this all sffr, hate need end no cont, ppl need admt human posbl hrbl need think way lif btr no scpgt 1 prsn,

You're right. Every criminal haa a story to tell and it often starts with childhood abuse and neglect. You're delusional if you think sending a few people to the chopping block will solve anything. It only makes things worse because if you don't try to uphold human rights at every level, people will eventually lose faith in these values.

 

[genoke]

No, I don't support the death penalty, because I believe that spending your whole life in prison is worse then death.

Exactly... if a judge and jury ordered me to a painless death we would start dancing and celebrating. I would pretend like I didn't want this please don't just to make sure they give it to me. And I'd be asking my lawyer with no appeals at all how long will this take?

No, I don't want a last meal, let's get this party started.

 

[Blurry_Buildings]

The death penalty is more humane than the current prison system. I'd support it, especially those with 20+ year sentences. I agree that in an ideal world the death penalty wouldn't exist and prisons would not be as inhumane, I just cant see us ever getting there though, and its hard to see the common people supporting humanitarian prison reforms. A good amount of people do support the death penalty though, and there are iniatives to bring back firing squads in place of using chemicals, which is much more humane.

 

[lamargue]

i dislike traditional attitudes which justify putting someone to death. it feels disconcerting to me that death, which is an extremity of normative morals, is encouraged in penal systems, acquiring an almost rabbinical tone. aside from the moral implications, i'm uncomfortable with the proselytizing of certain parties. i don't think it has a place in a civilized society.