the average cost of a prisoner is $30,000 per year...couldn't we spend that money on something better than for someone waiting to die? some may say its mean...but i am looking at the numbers...will you who disagree with the death penalty pay that much a year...
2006-07-02 22:15:48 · 22 answers · asked by turntable 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
I agree with you 100%. We are wasting our money on people who will never contribute to society again. We should cut our losses and execute them. The alternative is the system which we have already had which is to keep them alive, protected, and healthy for many decades until natural death occurs. Even natural death is delayed by providing them with good medical care. What a waste! I may be a wacko Liberal, but I agree that this is too wasteful.
2006-07-02 22:23:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
We're the last theoretically 1st-world country in the world to still use the death penalty. We also have the highest per capita prison population of EVERY country in the world.
Texas under GW Bush was the leading executioner in the country, and there were at least 6 cases where criminals were exonnerated (found innocent) AFTER they were executed. There were also MANY cases where mentally retarded were sentenced and executed. Bush NEVER reviewed a case in all that time and never signed a "stay of execution" for even the flimsiest cases. If you have the death penalty, your life and death could literally rest in the hands of an elected sadist.
2006-07-03 06:46:44 · answer #2 · answered by lostinromania 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are two factors that I am aware of.
1) Moral reluctance to kill folks. Many folks just don't believe that it is moral to kill someone, even if they are a deranged killer.
2) Cost:
I read a study that concluded that it cost $1 million, on average, to keep a person in prison for life.
It costs 50% more to go through all of the appeals processes to actually get to execute someone. Thus, at least in California, where the study was done, it costs far more to execute them, than to just warehouse them until that expire of old age.
2006-07-03 05:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by energeticthinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as being in jail for life.
Life sentences are served only in State prisons, not in County jails.
Jails hold people convicted of Misdemeanors or awaiting trial and/or sentencing.
Prisons hold people convicted of felonies.
A life sentence does not always mean that they will serve the rest of their life in prison, they can be paroled or serve a set number of years (depending on the state law)
Some states also also either did or still do have a sentencing option of Life without Parole.
2006-07-03 05:17:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is a worse punishment live behind bars without seeing your family or knowing when, where and how you are going to die? Some people that are behind bars are Innocent people and in that case the Innocent person dies for no apparent reason, that isn't that fair.
As someone else said it is a moral issue and in most countries the death penalty is still illegal whether justified or not. However if you commit a crime you have to be aware that there is punishment for it...if more people that were caught red-handed without a doubt were sent to their death maybe just maybe it would make others think before they did the wrong thing.
Anyway that's my two cents worth, thanks for the two points.
2006-07-03 05:31:24 · answer #5 · answered by Sister Sandy (RN) 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it seems Barbaric but It would seem better to do something like...make the life Sentencing and Death Penalty optional to the Prisoners...would be more Morally right to do and actually im sure alot of prisoners would want to be killed...in the long run that benefits both the Prisons,and prisoners and the people in the States....
2006-07-03 05:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by Iceman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, on average keeping a prisoner for the usual "term of life" costs around $500,000US, compared with approx. $2,000,000US for a state execution.
I don't know how any civilised member of society can condone capital punishment. No legal system in the world can GUARANTEE innocence, and personally I think wasting away in a prison cell is worse than a quick out.
2006-07-03 05:19:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, is that you Gee Dubya? Have you changed your 'handle' good buddy, 10-4.... Over.... I thought we agreed not to discuss prison reform 'til after the election, good buddy... then you can throw that switch all you like! 10-4, Over. Gee DubYA! Do you copy? Until the Midterms, you GOTTA stay under the radar or we're gonna be found out... and then it'll be GOODBYE of contol over the House... the Senate too! Okay? Change yer handle again and ask no more questions like these... at least 'til after the elections 10-4 Over.
2006-07-03 05:34:07 · answer #8 · answered by cherodman4u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will support folks with life sentences being executed just as soon as all the cops, judges, and prosecuting attorneys that have knowingly misused their authority in any way shape or form are dragged into the street and shot in the head. Next question.....
2006-07-03 05:21:31 · answer #9 · answered by Puff & Pass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To say that we, as a people, should execute other people...sends shivers up my spine...that is not a decision that I ever want to make...life or death..play God...at whatever cost...human life cannot be put a price to...life imprisonment is a sentence that protects the remainder of society...not the criminal...or the convicted innocent...many innocent people have gone to the electric chair in the name of "justice"...or is it "just us"?...Are you the judge?...Are you..God?
2006-07-03 05:25:31 · answer #10 · answered by yvonnejust4today 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋