The Dead Giveaway that the Death Penalty in the U.S. is about vengeance rather than protection

[Mike 03]

of society.

It suddenly occurred to me: Why would death row inmates be put on 24 hour suicide watch in the week or days before they are sentenced to die, if the real idea behind the death penalty is to kill them because they pose a threat to society?

Medics will attempt to revive a death row inmate who has tried and failed to kill himself so that he is alive to be publicly executed.

Not to suggest that prison authorities should encourage death row inmates to hang themselves, but the fact that they would post 24 hour guards to make sure that they don't do it speaks volumes.

And there is also the spectacle of documenting the executed person's last meal. What is that about? It's part of the Big Show.

Or maybe I'm missing something. But isn't that a bit ridiculous?

It seems to be that executions have become like perverse theater where the press and the "I'd-throw-the-switch-and-eat-a-pizza" politicians like to be seen. And in some cases it is where the victim's family attends in the hope of finding catharsis, or "closure."

Even though I disagree with the death penalty in 95% of cases, I don't feel it is my place to judge the victim's family's need to see a killer executed. I've known some families that needed and wanted that (some who were disappointed after the fact and felt it was ultimately pointless), and some who were against the death penalty in spite of their daughters being victims of heinous crimes.

But my point is we should not pretend that sentencing someone to death is about protecting our streets from violent criminals. It is still essentially a symbolic gesture and public demonstration.

[KG]

1. anybody who's watched any of the reality crime shows knows that the average

murderer doesn't think past their next meal, forget if their action will be a capital crime.

CP is not a deterent, it's just vengance plain and simple. america is a mean and nasty society, addicted to violence and repression.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. And all too often they've got the wrong guy

A few years ago, Illinois (I'm pretty sure it was Illinois) found that DNA evidence exonerated over 50% on death row.

Fully agree that's it's entirely about revenge.

[east texas lib]

3. I would think that the suicide watches are to protect the correctional systems from lawsuits..

Aside from the vengeance vs. societal protection issue.