Norwegian mass-murderer Anders Breivik sues state again over isolation

[psyche101]

40 minutes ago, and-then said:

There is room to improve the process involved in death sentences but the argument that it doesn't tend to reduce murders is silly.  It isn't intended to do that alone.  It is the ultimate punishment for the ultimate crime one human can commit against another - murder.  It certainly stops the killer from ever repeating his/her actions.  

Many killers do themselves in before capture.

Doesn't seem any sort of deterrent to them. 

[pellinore]

5 hours ago, and-then said:

There is room to improve the process involved in death sentences but the argument that it doesn't tend to reduce murders is silly.  It isn't intended to do that alone.  It is the ultimate punishment for the ultimate crime one human can commit against another - murder.  It certainly stops the killer from ever repeating his/her actions.  

I don't think there is any evidence to show it is a deterrent. It is hugely expensive- 20 years on death row, numerous appeals. It might have more of a deterrent effect if it was televised- it could even be made into a game show, with people betting on how long it takes to stop breathing after the lethal injection or gassing, for example.

[Duke Wellington]

7 hours ago, pellinore said:

I don't think there is any evidence to show it is a deterrent. It is hugely expensive- 20 years on death row, numerous appeals. It might have more of a deterrent effect if it was televised- it could even be made into a game show, with people betting on how long it takes to stop breathing after the lethal injection or gassing, for example.

Televised executions would be even more effective as a deterrence if the US got rid of its ridiculous humane dispatch methods.

I like my idea of once a year taking a load of criminals, branding them on the forehead with a C for criminal, setting them loose and letting society `purge` them. Cash prizes should be awarded to those citizens who get one, mobile phone evidence being required to claim the award. The only exception that should apply is if the friends or family members of the victim(s) want an hour with the offender instead.

Yeeha!!!