It's time we act civilized and stop executing people

[nordictruce]

I was watching a documentary on this guy today

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Garavito

So you are telling me, that the humane this to do is let this dude who killed and raped 140 boys, go after 30 years because he has been rehabilitated. That's where I see the disconnection. I would personally torture this dude myself if I could.,

[Bauce]

[Professor]

On one hand, I agree with you, Philly. He shouldn't be released, and he shouldn't be tortured.

However, I ask you this - what is more inhumane: a quick execution, or lifelong solitary confinement?

Being serious, here. Let's look at a situation where we all probably have some experience. Let's say you have a dog that has just attacked someone. Which is worse for the dog - to lock it into a cage with no windows for the rest of its life, with no other canine or human contact (other than when someone puts a food and water bowl into its cage), or to euthanize it?

I wasn't being pithy earlier. Our law says no "cruel and unusual" punishment. Everyone dies, so execution is not "unusual". And, if done painlessly, it's not "cruel". But, people are social beings. It is "cruel" to lock them away from others. And, we crave freedom, so it's also "unusual" to not be allowed to walk around. Even the most dictatorial regimes in history did not deny people access to each other, forbid them from leaving their houses, or forbid them from talking.

Lifelong solitary confinement is more "cruel and unusual" than execution.

[Bauce]

I already stated earlier in this thread I think life in solitary is worse than a quick execution. A lot of people will disagree though.

[exploited]

Solitary confinement is only used in the most extreme of cases and should probably be substituted with mental health care anyways.

[eynon81]

[Professor]

[The Dharma Bum]

Those are inmates in special housing units for disciplinary issues. It's not a part of their sentence because it would constitute an obvious cruel and unusual punishment and would be unconstitutional. They really shouldn't be doing that as a temporary punishment anyway because it is taking people the opposite way from where society wants them to go. We need to reintegrate people back into society instead of alienate them from society.

It would make all the difference in the world and we could have a successful rehabilitation program for once.

[The Dharma Bum]

[eynon81]