[mmmpie]

We can imprison people indefinitely, something which has the advantage of allowing us to reconsider if new information becomes available. I don't see that the death penalty fulfils any purpose other than retribution, it doesn't undo the crime and it's effectiveness as a deterrent is questionable at best.

I also think that the goal of sentencing should always be rehabilitation. Sometimes that isn't possible, but the death penalty would mean that there are cases where we don't even consider trying.

[Luke Williams]

Death Penalty is necessary - will deter crime, and see crime levels plummet.

[RandZul'Zorander]

The implementation fo the death penalty has thus far not showed any kind of significant deterrence. The crimes still happen, maybe slightly less frequently, but not enough to justify the punishment. It doesn't truly serve any purpose. It doesn't seem to be justice but as said by someone else like retribution. I see no reason to allow it.

[DomPugh]

(Original post by mmmpie)
We can imprison people indefinitely, something which has the advantage of allowing us to reconsider if new information becomes available. I don't see that the death penalty fulfils any purpose other than retribution, it doesn't undo the crime and it's effectiveness as a deterrent is questionable at best.

I also think that the goal of sentencing should always be rehabilitation. Sometimes that isn't possible, but the death penalty would mean that there are cases where we don't even consider trying.

I question whether "its effectiveness as a deterrent is questionable at best". The prospect of being shot,hung,beheaded etc is a very effective deterrent.

[mmmpie]

(Original post by DomPugh)
I question whether "its effectiveness as a deterrent is questionable at best". The prospect of being shot,hung,beheaded etc is a very effective deterrent.

In the US, states which do not have the death penalty have consistently lower homicide rates and the consensus amongst criminologists is that the death penalty has no deterrent effect.

[SnoochToTheBooch]

I don't really care if ****ty people get executed, and there definitely are cases where you can be 100% sure the person is guilty.

[DomPugh]

(Original post by mmmpie)
In the US, states which do not have the death penalty have consistently lower homicide rates and the consensus amongst criminologists is that the death penalty has no deterrent effect.

Fair enough you seem to know your stuff. It would definitely deter me though, would it not deter you?

[mmmpie]

(Original post by DomPugh)
Fair enough you seem to know your stuff. It would definitely deter me though, would it not deter you?

I don't commit major crimes because I don't think it's the right thing to do, not because of any deterrent effect.

When there is an unpremeditated murder, the murderer generally hasn't thought through their actions at all, including the consequences for them: so that mitigates any deterrence effect for that class of murders. Premeditated murderers generally have mental health issues, although frequently not severe enough to remove their culpability, so their judgement can't be relied upon: any deterrent effect is unreliable there too. That leaves the relatively small class of premeditated but sane murderers - people that quite rationally kill for something - and if people want or believe in something enough they're generally quite prepared to risk their lives for it.

So I don't think expecting a major deterrent effect makes much sense at all really. The overwhelming majority of people who would murder still will.

[Retrodiction]

(Original post by DomPugh)
Not even for paedophiles or serial killers? (presuming that they have been proven guilty beyond doubt)

Like the people wrongly convicted of murder and other crimes and imprisoned for long periods of time?

[Rancorous]

Whatever you think about retribution or what it says about society, procedural mistakes are made and innocent people get convicted, only for their innocence to emerge 20 years later. This happens for murder, it happens for rape. Having the death penalty means society thinks it's ok to potentially execute innocent people.

[zaliack]

(Original post by DomPugh)
Fair enough you seem to know your stuff. It would definitely deter me though, would it not deter you?

Prison deters you just as well. Remember reading an article (probably by Ashworth) but he basically points out that for an honest, hard working citizen, prison would be a deterrent. However, for a person who has been in a broken home and has nothing to lose (ie most people likely to commit a crime), prison will not be a deterrent. Same applies to the death penalty.

[DomPugh]

(Original post by zaliack)
Prison deters you just as well. Remember reading an article (probably by Ashworth) but he basically points out that for an honest, hard working citizen, prison would be a deterrent. However, for a person who has been in a broken home and has nothing to lose (ie most people likely to commit a crime), prison will not be a deterrent. Same applies to the death penalty.

You haven't answered by question. Would the death penalty deter you?

[philistine]

It should be renamed 'ice cream'; just ice cream. Send a man to ice cream row. Give him the ice cream!

A chap died via the ice cream.

[zaliack]

(Original post by DomPugh)
You haven't answered by question. Would the death penalty deter you?

You didn't ask the question to me but yeah, it would deter me. Mainly because i'm a semi-hard working, reasonable and honest citizen, with a family to look after.

[zaliack]

(Original post by philistine)
It should be renamed 'ice cream'; just ice cream. Send a man to ice cream row. Give him the ice cream!

A chap died via the ice cream.

That would also discourage obesity.

[The Patriot]

(Original post by Rybee)
I'm for it.

An eye for an eye and the world has ears to listen.

What do you even mean by that?