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Wes Mantooth · 11-09-2010, 10:14 PM

See this is where I get hung up on the whole death penalty vs life imprisonment discussion, it seems the enlightened, modern opinion is that the death penalty is a a violent, cruel, outdated and inhumane sentence and there is a push to abolish it, I can understand that. Yet I would think and it sounds as though others might agree that between the two life imprisonment is probably the worse punishment. A lifetime (a 20 something could spend the next 50+ years in this state) of being locked up in a small, confined space, never prospering, never changing, never really growing or living...couldn't that also be considered cruel and unusual punishment?

If that's the case and considering that the person is never going to be paroled wouldn't it be more humane to simply end his life? Now of course if the ultimate goal here is punishment for a horrible deed, then life in prison seems to be the best option, but if the person is beyond any sort of rehabilitation then whats the point?

Anyway, just thought I'd toss that out there for a little discussion.

EDIT: Didn't see your post there inBOIL, I guess we kind of asked the same question.

11-09-2010, 10:14 PM	#54 (permalink)
Wes Mantooth Junkie Location: Tennessee	See this is where I get hung up on the whole death penalty vs life imprisonment discussion, it seems the enlightened, modern opinion is that the death penalty is a a violent, cruel, outdated and inhumane sentence and there is a push to abolish it, I can understand that. Yet I would think and it sounds as though others might agree that between the two life imprisonment is probably the worse punishment. A lifetime (a 20 something could spend the next 50+ years in this state) of being locked up in a small, confined space, never prospering, never changing, never really growing or living...couldn't that also be considered cruel and unusual punishment? If that's the case and considering that the person is never going to be paroled wouldn't it be more humane to simply end his life? Now of course if the ultimate goal here is punishment for a horrible deed, then life in prison seems to be the best option, but if the person is beyond any sort of rehabilitation then whats the point? Anyway, just thought I'd toss that out there for a little discussion. EDIT: Didn't see your post there inBOIL, I guess we kind of asked the same question. __________________ “My god I must have missed it...its hell down here!”