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Punishment for murder?

Am I the only one who thinks that somebody convicted of murder should forfeit their rights indefinitely? I'm not saying execute them or treat them inhumanely, it just seems bizarre that you can kill somebody - maybe depriving them of 50 or more years of fulfilling life - and in some countries be out in around 10-15 years especially where plea-bargaining or previous good character play a part. I mean, if I really hated somebody, that would seem a fair exchange. Yet, this doesn't seem to be an issue for many countries. In fact in many countries hey are saying convicts should be allowed to vote even where they may have deprived somebody else of a vote through their actions. This doesn't seem to be a big issue and the hang 'em brigade have got as much moral authority as the rehabilitation argument. What if you were raped brutally, permanently injured or had a relative murdered and found yourself facing the perp in the local MacDonalds ten years later?

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    In the UK custodial sentancing is very weak. The fact we spend 4bn on the justice system when say the mod takes 40bn, has somthing to do with it. Theres not enough jailspace so more criminals are released early and some who deserve it dont go. Prison staff morale is rock bottom due to sucsessive goverments not investing into the system. In the US life means life, because they allocate enough funds.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Firstly if we applied law and sentencing from an emotional base you could never rationally deal with the many types of offender and sentences.

    Secondly - the majority of people form their opinions in regard of Murderers and sentencing from their reading of hyped up cases in the media.

    I have sat in many trials for rape and murder and very rarely did the newspapers reflect the actual events at the trial. They use sensationalism to sell papers. Of course this does not say that a murder or rape is less serious.

    In regard to the punishment aspect, which is what you are expressing, - When a person is convicted of murder the judge has no choice he must sentence the murderer to life in prison, regardless of the previous good character of the offender and his risk of re-offending.

    Therefore a notorious stalker who kills gets the same sentence as a man who murders his wife during an argument. They both have tariff dates of varying lengths but both get a life sentence.

    I would argue that rape should be set a minimum sentence say, 10 years. But a judge can sentence a rapist to life in prison. This is quite rare.

    Most murderers leave prison to hold down a productive life. Most murders are first offenders.

    You can not plea bargain on a murder conviction. The judge has no choice.

    A lifer never knows his release date. He is assessed through the whole of his sentence. His parole hearing is chaired by a High Court Judge wherein all the assessment reports are submitted.

    I believe there has to be rehabilitation giving some hope to those prisoners who are intent on returning to society to live a useful, law abiding life.

    The death penalty is forbidden under European Law so any rhetorical garbage spouted by politicians is exactly that because they can not bring back the death penalty no matter how much they curry popular support.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    No idea if your the only one.

    But you are a person who gets there ideas about murderers from bad sources.

    Most people who are murdered and the vast majority who are murdered or raped are friends or relatives of the offender.

    25 or so years ago about 80% of murderers never did it before and would not likely do it again.

    Now the number of real bad guys who commit murder is up, but not over 50%.

    Once most of the non real bad guy murderers go on to lead fairly normal lives once they have served their time.

    Most of the victims families are also family or friend to the offender. The animosity, if any, is the same as many families have towards others members who did noting but not come to a child s b-day party.

    I have but many killers away. I have also met many after they have come out, often while we are both grocery shopping or when one is working in a store I have gone into. Never had a problem, most of the time we just talk and most want to shake hands and thank me for doing my job.

    The real bad guys and serial guy I have but away are all still in prison, Even with peal bargaining they cat up in prison and are given longer sentences. I would like ot see the real bad guys put to death, almost immediately after conviction, but that is not going to happen in my state nor is it even possible in any way in most of the civilized world since they do not have the death penalty.

    Source(s): retired US cop, 11 years as homicide detective.
  • ?
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    You have to realise that no two murders are the same . Some are cold blooded , many are crimes of passion . Life with no prospect of parole is not only inhumane but counter productive , it simply fills prisons with people who have nothing left to lose . Murder rape and violence in prison will sky rocket .

    The only humane thing to do with someone who is to evil to ever be released is to shoot them through the back of the head . It's quick it's cheap and it effective , 100% non reofenders .

    In some cases it is possible to rehabilitate the offender . In these cases the offender should be sterilised and serve a substantial sentence ( 12 years plus ) . Then if they have proven themselves to be rehabilitated , they should be released on licence .

    No serving prisoner should have the right to vote ever .

  • 1 decade ago

    What a load of pratts!! How can you answer ths question with no background details

    Man goes out at night, rapes and murders a woman--- deserves life surely..(or worse)

    Its Xmas, a guy is buying presents and ses the guy that was out joy riding with his mates and had knocked down and killed his 3yr old daughter and wife the year before...the emotion gets too much, and he kills him in a heated exchange....does he deserve life??? does he deserve to have all his rights taken away from him???

    And as for pervs as you call them.... how many are innocently convicted?? how many have been proven innocent weeks/months/years later when the woman finally admits it was all made up.... for whatever reason...god this world sucks!!

  • 1 decade ago

    Execute them!!

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