Have a look at what happens in other countries. You don't have to invent the wheel. America is out on a limb on this - that in itself doesn't mean it has to be wrong, but it does mean it owes it to itself to look seriously at why so many other countries have turned their back on these "solutions", and seem to get along at least as well.

Where the death penalty is in operation the murder-rate is not lower, but if anything higher. That may sound crzy, but a lot of murder is done by crazy people. The deterrant effect seems to be outweighed by the brutalising and glamorising effect. There have always been people to whom the idea of getting executed is a turn-on rather than a deterrent. "Top of the world Ma!"