"Death sentance, life imprisonment, chemical castration, whatever. They are all after the event things and will not prevent crimes from happening."

I agree. However, it will prevent THAT individual from committing that crime again. In Canada we have the stories of Donald Marshall, David Milgaard and Willie Nepoose that speak loudly against the death penalty. Their cases involved mismanagement of evidence, shoddy work from the investigating police and lies from various witnesses. However, when the proof is irrefutable, I see no need to spend fifty thousand dollars a year keeping murderers or child molesters alive. Better to spend that money on the victims or their families.

I used to believe strongly that the death penalty shouldn't be used. I don't feel that way anymore. But it's a moot point because Canada abolished the death penalty in 1963--and by law in 1967.