Should rapists who rape a child be put to death?

[Ian Osborne]

You could argue the time between execution and what would've been your natural death is the punishment, because that's what's been taken away from you, but you're on the right lines.

I can't believe I'm wasting wear and tear on my keyboard for this

 

[CFLarsen]

You could argue the time between execution and what would've been your natural death is the punishment, because that's what's been taken away from you, but you're on the right lines.

I can't believe I'm wasting wear and tear on my keyboard for this

Ah! Then, the punishment is not death itself, but how you die.

Since that is the case, why don't you kill prisoners using the most barbaric methods conceivable?

 

[Ian Osborne]

Ah! Then, the punishment is not death itself, but how you die.

No, it's when you die.

Since that is the case, why don't you kill prisoners using the most barbaric methods conceivable?

Stop trolling.

 

[Cainkane1]

I wonder if putting a child rapist in the general prison population would be a deterent? No official death penalty but no protection in prison from fellow inmates might be a better deterent than an actual legal death sentence.

 

[Rufo]

There have been cases where serial killers only murder in states where there is no death penalty. Maybe I'm wrong but anything that helps a victim especially a child to survive an assault is worth it.

You are right to focus on the victim rather than the assailant (there has been too little of that in this thread, aside from TragicMokey's post), but I think you're missing a point. Serial killers are killers. Morality is not as simple as being better or worse - someone who rapes a child can find it a completely outrageous thought to murder one, even though their crime is only mariginally less despicable from my point of view. Just because they are severely psychologically damaged doesn't mean they are necessarily psychopaths.

I wonder if putting a child rapist in the general prison population would be a deterent? No official death penalty but no protection in prison from fellow inmates might be a better deterent than an actual legal death sentence.

Isn't that basically how it works? I frequently hear that child rapists get hell in prison from the other inmates, but as far as I know that may just as well be a myth. Does anyone have any facts on this?

Regardless, I think that's a bit of an obsolete, even barbaric, view on how to handle criminals. Sure, there's apparent poetic justice in letting the 'evil people' destroy each other, but again, it's simplifying morality. Also, it seems to me like a way of creating a hell on earth to replace the hell you no longer believe in, which raises the question of whether the concept of hell was really such a desirable institution to begin with.

 

[Thurkon]

I've never been in favour of the death penalty, not least because the act of being killed is not, in my eyes, a true punishment. How are you meant to reflect on the error of your ways if you're dead?

I think by the time an adult commits rape or murder, they are far beyond reflecting on the error of their ways.

Lock them away for life.

That would be preferable if prisons were foolproof. They aren't. People sometimes escape and continue to hurt others.

Add to that, all life isn't sacred. Forget punishment...let's call it pragmatism. A danger to society should be eliminated. Rapists and murderers whose guilt cannot be called into question should be removed from a peaceful society. That simple. I don't want to pay for facilities, guards and food to sustain these douchebags for another sunrise.

I don't even want to pay for an expensive execution. Do it on the cheap and let the peaceful members of our society continue on with their lives.

I don't get all the moralizing behind this issue. In a defensive war, you kill your enemy to protect the ones you love. Call it self defense.

 

[CFLarsen]

No, it's when you die.

The time between the death sentence and the exact moment of death?

 

[Ian Osborne]

The time between the death sentence and the exact moment of death?

Anyone got any pictures of kittens?

 

[fuelair]

Those are excellent answers to the actual question, which is about whether death is a punishment.

And, my argument is that death is an insufficient punishment by itself. (for certain crimes - of which rape of a child is one and rape of any person could well be).

 

[CFLarsen]

Anyone got any pictures of kittens?

If you don't want to explain what you mean, fine with me.

 

[chulbert]

The time between the death sentence and the exact moment of death?

What an interesting thought. If a convict was convinced they would be executed and the punishment was simply the emotional anguish and fear up to that point, would it be necessary for the state to actually follow through with the act? You could tie them to the bed, swab the arm and inject something inert. "Just kidding! Your debt to society is repaid. You can collect your belongings on the other side of that door."

 

[chulbert]

You get sentenced to death: Punishment.

Your actual death: Punishment.

After you are dead: Not punishment.

In order for an act to be considered punishment the recipient must be aware of its application. It therefore stands to reason that only certain methods of execution can be considered punishment. For example, if one is unconscious during the act it's not really punishment.

 

[skeptifem]

I wonder if putting a child rapist in the general prison population would be a deterent? No official death penalty but no protection in prison from fellow inmates might be a better deterent than an actual legal death sentence.

I dont think that prisoners should be encouraged to be violent against anyone. they have enough problems controlling violence without encouragement, and what you describe happens anyway.

 

[zooterkin]

That would be preferable if prisons were foolproof. They aren't. People sometimes escape and continue to hurt others.

Add to that, all life isn't sacred. Forget punishment...let's call it pragmatism. A danger to society should be eliminated. Rapists and murderers whose guilt cannot be called into question should be removed from a peaceful society. That simple. I don't want to pay for facilities, guards and food to sustain these douchebags for another sunrise.

Oh, I see, so while prisons aren't foolproof, the justice system is?

 

[Cainkane1]

Reverend Geogan was sure murdered in Prison.

I dont think that prisoners should be encouraged to be violent against anyone. they have enough problems controlling violence without encouragement, and what you describe happens anyway.

His crime was putting his hand inside a boys bathing suit. That sure doesn't constitute rape. He was tortured and strangled to death in protective custody as I recall. He was only sentenced to ten years in prison.

 

[Ian Osborne]

And, my argument is that death is an insufficient punishment by itself. (for certain crimes - of which rape of a child is one and rape of any person could well be).

I'm not personally in favour of the death penalty. I'm just bemused by certain people here who try to argue - with a straight face - that it isn't a punishment.

 

[Almo]

The Death Penalty is wrong under any circumstances.

 

[chulbert]

I'm not personally in favour of the death penalty. I'm just bemused by certain people here who try to argue - with a straight face - that it isn't a punishment.

If you aren't cognizant of the fact you're being punished, are you being punished?

 

[Ian Osborne]

If you aren't cognizant of the fact you're being punished, are you being punished?

Ask the people on death row who desperately appeal against their sentences.

 

[chulbert]

Ask the people on death row who desperately appeal against their sentences.

That's not what we're talking about. Yes, the living wish to remain that way, and those on death row are unquestionably being punished by the threat of execution. However, at the point you lose consciousness you no longer care, and if you don't care you're not being punished.

Only the living fear death; the dead don't mind it so much.