Hellobee Boards Topic: The Death Penalty

Hellobee Boards Topic: The Death Penalty https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 00:06:38 +0000 MrsTiz on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-672226 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:44:08 +0000 MrsTiz 672226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @scg00387: I have indeed visited a prison, many times. I had an Uncle in prison for 8 years and my DH's Uncle worked in a prison for 20 years so my thoughts don't come without having seen and heard it firsthand. ladyfingers on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-672183 Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:55:47 +0000 ladyfingers 672183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No. As a moral argument, it falls short because I don't believe we have the right as a society to decide who lives and who dies. And it doesn't often bring comfort to victims' families. While deciding whether to abolish the death penalty in Illinois, they spoke with many victim s's families who agreed that we do not have that right, that they felt unsettled by the execution of their loved one's killer, etc. As a legal argument -- that it acts as a deterrant for violent crime -- it falls short because it clearly doesn't prevent much. I'm uncomfortable with instituting something like this that has any margin of error whatsoever. I'm also uncomfortable with the list of countries that use it, versus those that don't. We're not in very good company. immabeetoo on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-672066 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:22:53 +0000 immabeetoo 672066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsSCB: @hergreenapples your comments reminded me of an article one of my former professors shared on Facebook <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/magazine/can-forgiveness-play-a-role-in-criminal-justice.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/magazine/can-forgiveness-play-a-role-in-criminal-justice.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0</a> I briefly volunteered before we moved with a restorative justice organization that worked with teens and represented a community member in the circles. It was incredibly powerful. mrbee on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-672013 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:24:41 +0000 mrbee 672013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: Yah @yoursilverlining: is right... your data isn't adjusted for racial percentages, and doesn't really tell the true story. Race is a huge factor in sentencing and the death penalty. As for luxuries, prison is not a pleasant place. It's true that they have increased creature comforts as a way to decrease incidences of riot (which were widespread 20-30 years ago). But in the meantime, they've greatly increased the use of solitary confinement and overcrowding is a huge problem. Rape is a serious problem, and many prisoners are forced to join a gang just to survive. Maybe we are talking about different prison systems though? I don't know much about what minimum security prisons are like... maybe they're more like you're describing. yoursilverlining on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-671999 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:15:10 +0000 yoursilverlining 671999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: but African Americans only make up a little over 12% of the population in the US; so there's a huge racial disparity if they then make up over 40% of the death row population. Mrs. Jacks on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-671977 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:02:02 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 671977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsSCB: I agree with your arguments 100%. It's also evident that the criminal justice system is riddled with racial disparities, and that needs to be addressed! There is a very real "school to prison pipeline" going on in urban public schools. And Mrs. Tiz, there is a very real and common risk of being injured, raped or killed in prison. It's disgusting. I've done rotations in prison and juvenile detention and it was probably the scariest set of places I've ever worked. Hardly an easy life. immabeetoo on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-671969 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:59:31 +0000 immabeetoo 671969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: here's some information on racial disparities that is from a somewhat neutral source: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/us/29bar.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/us/29bar.html?_r=0</a> there is lots out there - part of the problem is who is even considered for the death penalty, and the race(s) of the victim/offender And I really don't want to come off as rude, but I find your depiction of prison as a slightly confined summer camp somewhat problematic. Have you ever visited a prison? I'm asking in earnest - I have and while I can only imagine what it would be like to be in one I didn't get any sense of being carefree. (Definitely not saying that I think prisons should be like summer camp or have luxuries). MrsSCB on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-670913 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:38:14 +0000 MrsSCB 670913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: I mean, I think simply being indoors would be preferable to being on the streets. I don't think homeless people are thinking, "Hey, if I go to jail I can watch TV..." I think they're probably thinking, "If I go to jail I won't freeze to death or starve." So even if you took away any so-called "luxuries" from prisoners, I don't think that would do much to deter the homeless issue. MrsTiz on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-670891 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:33:34 +0000 MrsTiz 670891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @yoursilverlining: As of October 2012 there are actually more white people than any other race on death row. I think it's pretty even racially. First picture is people on death row, second is executions since the 70's, updated this week. @crabbabs: True, but how is prison a punishment if people in poverty actually prefer to be there than out on the streets? There is no way to flip it so that prison actually is a punishment other than lack of constant family interaction and some freedoms. You don't have to work, you get 3 meals a day, you get air/heat, television, radio, exercise equipment, cards, books, a bed, everything you need for free. The only thing they have to decide is if they want to use their commissary money for gummy bears or another pack of cigarettes. I just think that if the death penalty ever gets removed, so do all of the luxuries of prison. [attach=2456/13/mkby3y.250x171.dr-race.png] [attach=2456/13/mkby5e.250x179.def-race.png] crabbabs on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-670850 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:17:12 +0000 crabbabs 670850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: I think that say more about the homelessness problem, than the prison system. I'm against the death penalty for many of the reasons posted. Ultimately, I don't think the state/government has that right. Mrs. Lemon-Lime on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty/page/2#post-670825 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:07:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 670825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In theory yes, certain heinous crimes warrant a death penalty. In practice no. I hear too many stories of jurors who say they would have found people innocent if this or that was admitted in trial. Or the people wrongly convicted and their DNA proves their innocence years later. MrsSCB on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670802 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:58:42 +0000 MrsSCB 670802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @hergreenapples: I find the idea of restorative justice completely fascinating. The first time I really read a lot about it was in this article -- I highly recommend it! <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/magazine/can-forgiveness-play-a-role-in-criminal-justice.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/magazine/can-forgiveness-play-a-role-in-criminal-justice.html</a> heartonastring on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670746 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:42:10 +0000 heartonastring 670746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Definitely in the camp that is firmly AGAINST the death penalty. I imagine my opinion is influenced by the fact that I live in Canada where the death penalty was abolished decades ago. Further, Canada's criminal justice system is based on the principle of restorative justice (as opposed to retributive justice). While we still certainly have criminals here, we do not have the death penalty and our jail sentences are way shorter than our neighbours' to the south, yet our crime rates are significantly lower. Those factors, in combination with the fact that the death penalty has not been shown to reduce crime, form the core of my argument. But in addition, when I consider the "big picture" ethics of the death penalty, I just cannot justify it. NovBaby1112 on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670735 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:38:44 +0000 NovBaby1112 670735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't know, after having a child my views on the death penalty have changed. People that have committed such horrible, unspeakable, disgusting, and gruesome crimes, and have no remorse for their actions, in my opinion, are not human, and do not deserve to even take one more breath in this world. Why should someone who committed a horrible murder/s be allowed to eat 3 meals a day, watch tv, work out, etc, when the innocent life they took no longer exists? If it were up to me, they would be killed the same way that they killed someone, but that will never happen of course. I do not think it should take as long as it does though. They should not get to sit on death row for 20+ years. Happygal on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670727 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:37:04 +0000 Happygal 670727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Due to my religious beliefs, I'm against it. My DH, a lawyer, is for it. This makes for interesting conversations. I can easily imagine that if someone took the life of a family member, I would want that person to die. My emotions, however, shouldn't be what dictates laws. Mrsbells on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670692 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:25:39 +0000 Mrsbells 670692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In theory I am against the death penalty especially where there is doubt about the person's guilt. BUT honestly there are some terrible crimes committed where I think just jailing them for life isnt enough. Especially mass murders where there is no doubt about the killer hellocupcake on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670682 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:21:40 +0000 hellocupcake 670682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't like an eye for an eye. I like life in prison just fine for a murderer. thismustbetheplace on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670667 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:18:43 +0000 thismustbetheplace 670667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @illumina: thanks for the thoughts. It's been a few years so it's not as raw, but your kindness is appreciated. To be honest, he didn't even feel like family. When we found out what happened it was like there was a complete disassociation between who he used to be, and who he turned out to be. The victims were our true blood relatives, he was only related by marriage. @scg00387: very well said. immabeetoo on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670561 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:56:06 +0000 immabeetoo 670561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No, I don't. There is buckets of research showing in the US it doesn't affect crime rates and it is very expensive. I also have problems with the racial disparity in who ends up on death row, and the fact that wrongful convictions can (and have) occurred. Even if I knew for 100% fact that the person committed the crime, and it was an unspeakable act, I'm still not in favor of killing them. It not only seems like it would be preferable to life in prison, but also seems very barbaric to me. I agree with @MrsSCB that the prison system needs reform.. after taking classes in college and learning how many are privatized and many corporations and investors profit the more & longer folks are imprisoned, I'm not holding my breath. I think prisons should be reserved for violent offenders in terms of keeping society safe and other options should be explored for non-violent offenses in an effort to actually rehabilitate instead of making it harder for them to make different choices upon being released. pinkcupcake on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670552 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:54:20 +0000 pinkcupcake 670552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ All for it. No question about it. You hurt my family- you're gone. Lindsay05 on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670549 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:54:11 +0000 Lindsay05 670549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsSCB: Yeah. Here where I live a person serves a life sentence of 25 years maximum. Whether they murder 1 person or 20 people. We do not have consecutive life sentences. Going to prison for life should mean that...life. We also do not have the death penalty. It's a very broken system. yoursilverlining on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670520 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:49:13 +0000 yoursilverlining 670520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm torn on this. I'm not opposed to the death penalty in theory; but I think we need to halt executions in the US until we can fix the system. And if we can't fix it; I think we should just stop executions forever. There is too much racial disparity on death row, too much room for error, too much room for lawyer inexperience, economic disparity, etc MrsSCB on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670518 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:48:58 +0000 MrsSCB 670518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Lindsay05: I guess I just don't see a good solution, though. Keeping people in jail for life for major crimes like murder will prevent them from re-committing crimes, of course, but when it comes to more petty crimes, it gets a lot harder. We can't very well keep someone in jail for life for stealing a car, but we also can't really ensure that they won't do it again once we let them go. I do agree that we need to improve our justice system -- it should be a lot more about rehabilitation than simple punishment. I think that's the best way to keep people from re-committing the same crimes once they're freed. KissMeCait on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670488 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:43:48 +0000 KissMeCait 670488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I’m not really sure where I stand on this. In some cases, I feel that death is the easy way out. I don’t believe in heaven or hell so it’s not like that person is going to burn for eternity (in my opinion). When they’re gone, they’re gone. That’s it. Someone who committed a truly heinous crime doesn’t deserve an easy way out but then again, death is pretty much the ultimate punishment and sometimes it’s fitting. If I had to choose, I guess I would probably lean on the side of pro death penalty under certain circumstances. I know that prison life isn’t a walk in the park but 3 balanced meals a day in a climate controlled environment hardly seems like proper punishment. Obviously the justice system doesn’t work like this but I think it would be nice if the victim’s family got to choose the criminals fate. They’re the ones who lost their loved one and will never get to see them again. They should have a say in how the person that so selfishly took their parent/spouse/child away, gets to live out the rest of their days. Lindsay05 on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670472 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:42:16 +0000 Lindsay05 670472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsSCB: Of course it's ideal not to kill people. But by letting criminals re-commit crimes is just as bad as that. My argument is for improving the justice system not to just kill people who is suspected of a crime. Absolutely they need to investigate but in an ideal system, taxpayers would not need to suffer for this. MrsSCB on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670418 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:27:06 +0000 MrsSCB 670418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @jmarionsmith: Good point! I love how an expert in this article puts life sentences vs. death penalty: "If you want to deter people from leaning on your stove, medium heat works just as well as high heat." <a href="http://news.ufl.edu/1997/01/15/death1/" rel="nofollow">http://news.ufl.edu/1997/01/15/death1/</a> jmarionsmith on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670408 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:25:06 +0000 jmarionsmith 670408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsSCB: i so agree!! it's also been found that the death penalty is NOT a deterrent of crime, and after all, isn't that the purpose of any type of punishment? illumina on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670406 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:24:39 +0000 illumina 670406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @thismustbetheplace: I'm so sorry you have had to experience this. I can't begin to imagine what your family have been through. Society doesn't give much thought to the families of the accused. I hope the thread hasn't caused upset. MrsSCB on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670399 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:23:29 +0000 MrsSCB 670399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsTiz: @Lindsay05: The reason people are on death row so long is because the government prefers to be as certain as possible that they have the right person before executing them. And even so, dozens of innocent people have been executed by us. That sickens me. I guess I just think if there is the potential that a single innocent person could be executed, and clearly there is, then we should not have the death penalty, end of story. I'd also like to note that in most developed countries, the death penalty has been abolished. Yet again, the U.S. seems to be behind in terms of basic human rights. luckypenny on "The Death Penalty" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-death-penalty#post-670396 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:22:06 +0000 luckypenny 670396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am very torn on this topic. On one hand, I think if someone did something awful to DD or DH, I may wish that the perpetrator be sentenced to death. On the other hand, I think there is way too much human error. Even with DNA or forensic evidence mistakes are made and if even one innocent person could be killed, we shouldn't have it.