The United States and Capital Punishment

[RayH]

Since the 1976 reinstatement of capital punishment in the United States, for every seven persons executed one additional person on death row has been found wrongfully convicted. Wrongfully convicted is did not commit the crime and innocent of the charges.

General criminal appeals fail at a rate of 85%. Capital convictions are overturned in 75% of the cases. That is, some higher court is finding the death sentence to be inncorect.

The current United States Supreme Court allows for the execution of probable innocent people because of procedural rules. In Herrera v Collins (1993), the US Supreme Court ruled that courts do not even have to CONSIDER new evidence if such evidence is presented after a state's deadline for the submission of new evidence. In Texas, such deadline is 30 days after conviction.

I am not an advocate of the abolishment of capital punishment. But I am an advocate of executing the right person.

[Smidley]

I am.

I think getting your balloon knot stretched for the rest of your life in prison without the possibility of parole is a much harsher sentence than death.

Half would probably end up committing suicide anyway.

[brandon184]

Originally Posted by RayH

I am not an advocate of the abolishment of capital punishment. But I am an advocate of executing the right person.

I, like you, would like to have it both ways. But the U.S. Criminal Justice system has a long way to go before such a scenario is possible.

Brandon

[sharder8]

Originally Posted by Smidley

I am.

I think getting your balloon knot stretched for life in prison without the possibility of parole is a much harsher sentence than death.

Half would probably end up committing suicide anyway.

Harsher punishment for who?????

The criminal or the taxpayer????

And while we're on the topic . . . . .

A prisoner gets:

3 meals a day
A warm, dry place to sleep
TV privledges
Library privledges
Fully equipped gym privledges
Most have no requirement to work
Some get spouse/girlfriend visits and in some cases "private" time
No bills for most

And all this at taxpayer expense.

Oh, that's harsh, isn't it?

Harder

[brandon184]

The yearly costs to keep ONE person in prison are astronomical.

Keeping someone in prison for one year costs about $20,000 ~ $25,000. That means well over a million bucks for a lengthy life sentence. For one person.

Brandon

[Smidley]

I doubt the conditions are as rosy and comfy as you describe them.

But, if that is the case, then the reforms should start there.

[loftezy]

Originally Posted by brandon184

The yearly costs to keep ONE person in prison are astronomical.

What ever happened to labor within prisons? Isn't there some worthwhile job inmates can do to help subsidize the cost of their incarceration?

[brandon184]

What sort of labour will subsidize a $20,000/yr. cost?

Brandon

[John Prophet]

of course we have also heard that it costs more in court costs etc for all the appeals assicated with the death penalty than it does to keep them alive

[Smidley]

I know!

Let's send them all to Oceania!