The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #147062 Message #3409421
Posted By: GUEST,Eliza
24-Sep-12 - 11:04 AM
Thread Name: BS: Too obese to execute
Subject: RE: BS: Too obese to execute
During my years as a Prison Visitor, I dealt with many serious offenders (not murderers) and often questioned the remit and purpose of the legal system in UK. It seems to consist of several issues; punishment, deterrent, rehabilitation, vengeance, safety of the Public etc. Many Prison Officers I chatted to said they felt the system itself wasn't sure what the purpose of prison actually was. Some felt the inmates should be locked up and the key thrown away. Some felt the lads had had a bad start and needed understanding. Some tried very hard to help and rehabilitate their charges. All agreed that the Public had a nice break while the robbers etc were behind bars, and most felt that no-one had been deterred from offending by the penalties. Now most of this could be applied as questions about what to do with murderers, and why. Obviously execution removes the danger forever. But so would a life sentence. Are murderers mentally ill in some way and need treatment? (as in Broadmoor) Is vengeance the main drive behind the death sentence, and is this justified? Can a murderer change and become safe to release? Has a man's background turned him into a killer through no fault of his own? I don't believe even the most ardent supporters of execution have the answers, as not enough research has ever been done.