does anyone else think that emptying out the lifers from prisons and send them to war?

Question

instead of sending our future over there (meaning our young people)-- just empty the prisons and we wouldn't have to pay for that anymore -- they don't need any training or anything -- we could just drop them off at iraq -- think about how much it costs to kill those death row people -- at least we could make them useful for something and save money at the same time.

Answer 1

Soldiers have discipline, training and courage. Lifers have none of those qualities. I would not be comfortable with your suggestion at all.

Answer 2

I guess some prerequisites for answering this question in a manner that you'd like is believing in the stated objectives for the "war" on Iraq, believing in capital punishment, believing that all lifers are guilty of the crime for which they had been convicted, and also holding the opinion that all lifers' lives are valueless. I don't hold any of those "opinions", but I'd still like to answer your question.

First, it's not a war - it's an occupation. The war ended years ago. Second, the stated objectives are different from the real objectives. I do not agree with the war/occupation.

Should we SEND lifers to war? Hmmmm. Aside from the moral bankruptcy that we'd have to achieve as a society to think of fueling the war machine with unwilling people who may have only made the mistake of being poor enough not to be able to affored a good lawyer, that idea has many holes.

FIrst of all, do you REALLY want your criminals, who probably aren't in support of your stated objectives for going to war, to be representing your country on the battlefield? I mean, assuming you're american, they might not do much worse of a PR job than your marines have already done, but they could.

Secondly, some will come back alive, experienced, and angry. How do you propose society deals with that? Throw them back in the slammer after they have risked their lives for ideals that they probably didn't believe in in the first place? Even then, some will get out - and they may target people like you.

I have a better idea. Instead of trying to find an easy way out, let the people who believe in the "war" (read "occupation") go out there and fight it themselves. I mean, if you believe in certain ideals you should be willing to fight for them, right? What are you doing for the next couple of years?

Answer 3

criminals can't be trusted,especially those sentenced to life in prison.they've got nothing to lose so why not make a run for it & escape when they've arrived.then they'll probably form an alliance with the terrorists & use their training skills against us(they must be trained or else they might not know how to reload their amunition or improperly handle the weapons so it might backfire & possibly injure themselves and/or people on their own team),which will only make the situation even more deadly.it'll save money but we shouldn't be petty when it comes to the safety of the general public.i think they should stay in prison for life.they'll eventually go crazy from solitary confinement,mentally suffer(which i think is far worse than physical suffering),then die,as they should be punished.sounds harsh but criminals should've been prepared for the consequences of their actions and expect the expected.

Answer 4

I have not given this idea much thought if any, but it sounds like something our elected official can contemplate. This issue would have to be carefully planned and thought out.
First and foremost, we would have criminals who are regarded dangerous and seriously, emotionally damaged armed with guns, and the capability to escape, should not escape our consideration for this new use of our prisoners who were condemned for life. If there is no chance of these prisoners returning to society after the war, or perhaps their return to prison after war is assured, then why not. America should go for it. It sounds like poetic justice for convicted murderers to fight the battles of their nation, while repaying for lives taken carelessly. This sound like a cost-effective proposition, and may reduce the budget's estimates and costs of two major government departments. Yes, with careful planning; a program designed by the War department in conjunction with the department of Correction, America could pull this off and make it work. Good Luck, Gotta Go !!!

Answer 5

LOL, that would fall under cruel and unusual punishment, I'm sure. Plus, after they go over there, band together, fight like hell for us, and win, what are we gonna do, send them back to prison with national defense ribbons and purple hearts, or let them go to possibly commit future crimes? I'm sure a few would be killed in action, but not all of them.
You think we have a problem now with soldiers raping and murdering civilians? And those were good, homegrown boys. Those convicts might have a field day with the civilians, while the bad guys go untouched.......

Answer 6

I keep seeing this question, and I'm sorry, but it is just a stupid concept. We have to deal with the occasional attrocities now conducted by our highly trained soldiers. War brings out the best, but also the worst, in people, especially when they are under the day-after-day stresses that come from combat. Can you imagine the discipline and control problems we'd have with convicted felons. And the military is more than just cannon fodder you know? They have to control equipment that requires highly sophisticated training.

Answer 7

I think that's a great idea. In addition, how about we have all the gang bangers rounded up and send them over as well? If these people like killing so well - here's a perfect opportunity for them to kill to their heart's content.

Answer 8

I don't think that any of those chicken $#**^$ would fight in a war. Look at all of the supposed gang bangers who shoot at innocents from a moving car. At how they hide behind a gun to 'demand' respect from people and peers. If you take a life, then you forfeit yours. It's just that simple and it should be just as swift.

Answer 9

I would not want major losers defending me or my country. We might save some money in the prison system, but at what price elsewhere. It is not a price I want to pay.

Answer 10

I just read your second paragraph. It sounds like you are promoting genocide. At first thought, it seems like a good idea. But, we are Americans and we take the high road! If we were to do that, we would be no better than Hitler

Answer 11

well i actually have to say that i agree with you on this 100% that away we could actually spend money on things that really need to be addressed and be solved. that away they could get killed and we wouldn't have to worry about spending money on there sorry butts i also think that it might people think about there actions before doing something to cause them to get life in prison. i feel that all rapist, child molesters,and all of those others who commit seriously bad crimes should be sent there to fight.