Against the Death Penalty?

[cathopologist]

That is a different matter altogether, and the very comparison is ridiculous…

No it isn’t. The prison guard and the soldier have alot in common; they are both blue-collar workers (civil servants) who perform their duties with pride. They both know the job risks involved - maintaining order which involves regular confrontations with the enemy, involve the use of tactical planning and response, conduct weapon searches and contraband, perform first-aid when needed, face high levels of stress, sometimes face low morale, need nerves of steel and have good control of emotions, etc. Both know the risks involved when they sign up - that serious injury or death is part of the job scope. Its ridiculous and insulting to think of correctional officers as lazy guards whose job is only to take walks in the park, chat with inmates and serve them their meals.

 

[block]

I agree with that.

Very few people are executed in America. I think executions are prudently carried out in our system. I think the process is too slow, however. I believe more timely executions will decrease risks and increase the deterrent value.

I’m not arguing in favor of a huge increase in executions.

I’m arguing against the abolishment of the death penalty.

You don’t argue for a huge increase, but yet you do argue that the amount on deathrow today isn’t enough correct? Well, I don’t think that is the question. The question is not whether or not Chestertonrules thinks it is ok to have the death penalty, which clearly you do feel that it is ok, the question is whether or not the church does. And the answer is no.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

You don’t argue for a huge increase, but yet you do argue that the amount on deathrow today isn’t enough correct? Well, I don’t think that is the question. The question is not whether or not Chestertonrules thinks it is ok to have the death penalty, which clearly you do feel that it is ok, the question is whether or not the church does. And the answer is no.

I didn’t make that argument.

The Church doesn’t make a ruling on the death penalty.

In fact, the Church said that if it is necessary to protect lives, then it might be the best course of action.

I have demonstrated that this is often the case.

You are reading your own bias into the catechism.

You deny that letting the dangerous live endangers the innocent.

There are some people who should be executed in order to protect others.

 

[pete_29]

Hi Pete:

Because it would be assuming you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into as a correctional officer. Separate the compassion in his post from his insinuation.

Even now, you are going to go to work next time you are scheduled right? You willingly put your life on the line to protect us from those that would certainly harm us. You don’t do that blindly right?

I truly fear for you in your daily walk, but I am confident in the fact that you of all people know full well the place you are entering every day you enter there.

To agree with him would minimalize respect for your job, not empathize with it.

And THANK YOU!

Thank you for your kind comments. Actually, I tried not to think about it. You know, go in, get your work done, go home and forget about it.
I kind of thought that was what you meant about knowing what I was getting into, but I wasn’t sure. That is true. I’m retired now, but when I started it was a real trip to the circus. Things have gotten a lot better in the past few years as we have taken back control from the gangs. The prison i worked at was considered a medium security so we had a little advantage over the max joints because we could send the hard core trouble makers there. The max joints were the real dangerous places. Staff were assaulted daily there, but they to have gotten better since the Super max opened. Max joints are still very dangerous places, but it is a little better.

 

[happilycatholic]

Thank you for your kind comments. Actually, I tried not to think about it. You know, go in, get your work done, go home and forget about it.
I kind of thought that was what you meant about knowing what I was getting into, but I wasn’t sure. That is true. I’m retired now, but when I started it was a real trip to the circus. Things have gotten a lot better in the past few years as we have taken back control from the gangs. The prison i worked at was considered a medium security so we had a little advantage over the max joints because we could send the hard core trouble makers there. The max joints were the real dangerous places. Staff were assaulted daily there, but they to have gotten better since the Super max opened. Max joints are still very dangerous places, but it is a little better.

Off topic a little:

Gosh, what’s after supermax? Well, I wouldn’t blame you for an opposing opinion on the matter. Afterall, you are the guys/gals on the frontline.

Congrats on your retirement. You deserve it!

 

[pete_29]

Pete, I have a question that you may be able answer better than anyone else.

How many currently facing the death penalty are reflecting on the crime they committed in lieu of the actual punishment?

My point here is that the perpatrator is probably more afraid of death than he/she is remorseful of the crime committed. What does that gain for the victim or the survivors or society?

Okay, that’s two questions. Sorry.

To tell the truth,I have never had to deal with deathrow inmates so the information I give you will be second hand from stories that co-workers have told me. They fear execution. They will try to kill someone else because they can’t be executed if they have another murder case and the trial for that one is over.(Did that make sense:shrug: ). As for remorse, I’ve seen very little from most inmates, no matter whether they were a murderer or a car thief. I’m sure there are a few. but you have to understand that one of the first things inmates do is get religion. Usually it doesn’t take long to see how shallow their religion is, but there are some who either put on a good act, or are truly serious about God.

For the victim it does nothing. For the victims family I guess it could bring some sort of closure. For society it means that this individual will never kill again.

I hope I made sense with this answer.

 

[pete_29]

Off topic a little:

Gosh, what’s after supermax? Well, I wouldn’t blame you for an opposing opinion on the matter. Afterall, you are the guys/gals on the frontline.

Congrats on your retirement. You deserve it!

I don’t think you can find any guards that are againt the death penalty, but we are quite prejudiced on the subject. I’m glad there are people opposed to it. As I said in other posts, I can see an acceptable use for the death penalty, but I don’t think I want to see mandatory executions.

 

[ForMary]

Then you should be willing to allow those that most of us deem worthy of death to live in your home.

If not, then you are subjecting innocent prison guards and fellow prisoners to risks that **you are not willing **to take yourself.

What? How do you figure?

I’m **not willing to be **the cop that arrested them in the first place, the District Attorney who prosecuted them or the Judge who sentenced them, but I’m not willing to have everyone who is in jail living in my home.

Personally, I like the idea of Siberia…Australia (originally a penal colony), this is a similar concept, let them live with each other without anyone else to guard, feed, etc. They are on their own to build their houses, find their food, tame sheep, etc.

In my home? Puh-leeze!

 

[LutheranDK]

Non taken & I see your point.
However I do not claim that finances should be the main reason for the DP; just part of the rationale in cases when the individual is already going to be spending their entire life in prison.

• I got a question: what do you people think about those **religious amnesty, letting-go-early **programs?

I don’t know what that means. Does it mean that if you become religious, and show good behavior, you get let go early?
If that’s true, then it’s horrendous! If you become a Christian while in jail - GOOD FOR YOU, and glory to God who has changed your life!

But it still does not change what you did = the reason you’re in jail, and it should have NO influence on the length of your sentence either way.