This is INSANE

[AquaMan]

Stop all executions. Problem solved.

Agreed. I like problem solving, not extending.

[DTowner]

Due to a shortage of drugs, state correctional officials want to bring back the electric chair and the firing squad for executions.  The pharmaceuticals companies are refusing to sell the drugs for executions.

This isn't a problem, this is an opportunity for a local company to step in to manufacture a new product and serve a market.

[Townsend]

This isn't a problem, this is an opportunity for a local company to step in to manufacture a new product and serve a market.

Oklahoma could classify death row inmates as livestock.  This would solve issues with the pharma companies and their issues with euthanizing humans.

[azbadpuppy]

Agreed.  It's a useless penalty.  If it were a real deterrent murder rates would be almost nil.

Secondly, crapital punishment and death row goes against everything I believe as a fiscal conservative.

I completely agree.

Ironic that it also goes against everything I believe in as a "flaming liberal", but for the same reasons you pointed out.

[heironymouspasparagus]

One of the big reasons I hear and read to get rid of death penalty is because the convicted runs up the cost with appeals.  Does anyone really believe that a non-death penalty convict is gonna just sit there with NO appeals??  Another one of those topics where there still, amazingly enough, is not enough clear information to say.

That aside, I think the death penalty should be put on at least a long term hold, if for no other reason than the fact the so many convicted have been shown to have been wrongly convicted.  And Texas especially should be made to wait given their miserable record on the application of DP, particularly when DNA has proven the lack of guilt (not to be confused with innocence...).

[Teatownclown]

This isn't a problem, this is an opportunity for a local company to step in to manufacture a new product and serve a market.

Bama Pie?

[Conan71]

One of the big reasons I hear and read to get rid of death penalty is because the convicted runs up the cost with appeals.  Does anyone really believe that a non-death penalty convict is gonna just sit there with NO appeals??  Another one of those topics where there still, amazingly enough, is not enough clear information to say.

That aside, I think the death penalty should be put on at least a long term hold, if for no other reason than the fact the so many convicted have been shown to have been wrongly convicted.  And Texas especially should be made to wait given their miserable record on the application of DP, particularly when DNA has proven the lack of guilt (not to be confused with innocence...).

There's plenty of clear information.  Death row inmates have access to state-paid-for attorney throughout the appellate process.  It's on a lifer's own tab if he/she wants to file appeal after appeal.  Aside from that, the housing costs for inmates on death row is significantly higher as well due to single-celling and tighter security measures.

If you want an interesting non-fiction inside look at the issue, especially as it relates to Oklahoma, get a copy of John Grisham's "An Innocent Man."  That was the first non-fiction he ever did.  Changed my mind on the death penalty 100%.

[guido911]

Oklahoma could classify death row inmates as livestock.  This would solve issues with the pharma companies and their issues with euthanizing humans.

[BKDotCom]

Agreed.  It's a useless penalty.  If it were a real deterrent murder rates would be almost nil.

Secondly, crapital punishment and death row goes against everything I believe as a fiscal conservative.

Is it meant to serve as a deterrent or to serve "justice"?

[DTowner]

Is it meant to serve as a deterrent or to serve "justice"?

Both.

The usual alternative to the death penalty - life without parol - also has a lot of downside in costs and behavior issues.  I'm sure it's been done, but I've not seen any studies on a true comparison of costs between the two systems.  I suspect the total costs are not that much different.

[MrsConan]

Oklahoma could classify death row inmates as livestock.  This would solve issues with the pharma companies and their issues with euthanizing humans.

That's awesome!  Made me laugh!

Maybe the pharm companies are afraid they might end up recipients of their own product?  Or there's just too much money to be made in keeping them alive.

[Ed W]

Stop all executions. Problem solved.

Guido and I may not agree on much, but on this we're in accord.  I watched something on television about a federal supermax prison with modular concrete cells that measure 6'x8' and have walls so thick they're effectively soundproof.  The prospect of spending a lifetime inside one is unthinkable to us.  Sensory deprivation would result in eventual insanity.  And I think it's more suitable than a death sentence.

[nathanm]

I'm sure it's been done, but I've not seen any studies on a true comparison of costs between the two systems.  I suspect the total costs are not that much different.

You are correct, it has been done. You are incorrect in that the total costs are quite different. Death row is freakin' expensive.

Personally, I think that if we're handing out sentences of life without parole it's nearly as much of a screw up on our (collective) part as the criminal's, and we should be ashamed that we failed to provide someone the help they needed to keep themselves out of that situation or the support they needed as a child to keep themselves out of a life of crime to begin with. Not because I think we're responsible for everyone's actions, which would be pretty dumb, but because imprisoning people at all is so damn expensive we should use the techniques at our disposal to prevent crime before it gets started.

Instead, we cut education funding in favor of prisons and law enforcement year after year and we don't even spend the education money we have effectively. Our lust for punishment extends even to children who have never had a good role model in their life and don't have the tools to deal with the bullshit they have to deal with day in and day out. God forbid we lend an ear instead of a whip and give them the care and understanding they deserve.

Instead, we get elementary school kids in largely forgotten neighborhoods joining gangs looking for the approval and camaraderie they fail to get from parents, teachers, school administrators, and everyone else.

Also, I think Supermax is tantamount to torture, but if a prisoner repeatedly attempts to commit violence upon others, we have to do something. Of course, once again, that problem could probably be helped out in a big way by throwing out the corrupt prison administrators and largely corrupt guards who look the other way as prisoners assault, rape, deal drugs, and whatever else in exchange for some..consideration.

[Conan71]

You are correct, it has been done. You are incorrect in that the total costs are quite different. Death row is freakin' expensive.

Personally, I think that if we're handing out sentences of life without parole it's nearly as much of a screw up on our (collective) part as the criminal's, and we should be ashamed that we failed to provide someone the help they needed to keep themselves out of that situation or the support they needed as a child to keep themselves out of a life of crime to begin with. Not because I think we're responsible for everyone's actions, which would be pretty dumb, but because imprisoning people at all is so damn expensive we should use the techniques at our disposal to prevent crime before it gets started.

Instead, we cut education funding in favor of prisons and law enforcement year after year and we don't even spend the education money we have effectively. Our lust for punishment extends even to children who have never had a good role model in their life and don't have the tools to deal with the bullshit they have to deal with day in and day out. God forbid we lend an ear instead of a whip and give them the care and understanding they deserve.

Instead, we get elementary school kids in largely forgotten neighborhoods joining gangs looking for the approval and camaraderie they fail to get from parents, teachers, school administrators, and everyone else.

Also, I think Supermax is tantamount to torture, but if a prisoner repeatedly attempts to commit violence upon others, we have to do something. Of course, once again, that problem could probably be helped out in a big way by throwing out the corrupt prison administrators and largely corrupt guards who look the other way as prisoners assault, rape, deal drugs, and whatever else in exchange for some..consideration.

Many people sitting on death row and serving life or life without parole sentences were adjudicated multiple times prior to ending up in the big house for good.  Some people simply cannot be rehabilitated and in those cases, prison serves to protect the rest of society from them.  You simply cannot layoff the blame for sociopathic and psychopathic behavior on "corrupt" guards and administrators.  The only way you can prevent such things from happening would be solitary confinement for all prisoners 24/7 and I believe the Constitution has something to say about cruel & unusual punishment.

[carltonplace]

Agreed. I like problem solving, not extending.

As long as we can keep death by incarceration I'm happy.