Withholding news from prisoner of his execution - cruel or humane?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Hmm, that's annoying. Direct link.

I wish we got that show in the US. I get BBC America on my satellite, but last time I checked M&W wasn't on the schedule.

Everything I've seen of their is funny!

 

[Rasmus]

Right, so if you were to be shot, you wouldn't mind not knowing when it would happen?

Mostly, I would mind that I was go to be shot. That would irk me to no end. I'd find it positively bothersome.

I would mind not knowing the date when it was supposed to happen. But I would also mind knowing the date. I have no idea which would be worse.

I would mind having an option to find out just as i would mind not having the option.

At the end of the day, it's a real bummer of a situation to be in and none of the little details will be making much of a difference. You might as well ask me if I would mind to learn that my top choice for my last meal was out and I'd only be getting whatever substitute was available.

 

[INRM]

The Central Scrutinizer,

Look, if a person's going to be executed, I think they should have the right to know.

 

[Skeptical Greg]

...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness and the time of our Execution ..

I don't know .. It just doesn't sound right somehow..

 

[Dioptre]

To directly answer the question in the OP - whether anticipation with uncertainty or anticipation with certainty is more painful is really a factor of individual personality. I should think the decision to do it this way was based more on process questions than prisoner preference.

24 hour notice allows time for the last minute details but minimises organised resistance or protests in response to the execution.

 

[Jungle Jim]

If the accused had any knowledge of the Chinese justice system (he probably doesn't), he would prepare himself accordingly. One should expect that the sentence would be administered sooner rather than later. It has been over two years since his arrest.

 

[Rasmus]

The Central Scrutinizer,

Look, if a person's going to be executed, I think they should have the right to know.

Yes. but that's not the issue here, is it?

The issue is how much in advance should they be given notice. 5 Minutes? A day? A week? A year?

 

[Alt+F4]

The issue is how much in advance should they be given notice. 5 Minutes? A day? A week? A year?

None, that's what the rest of us get.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

The Central Scrutinizer,

Look, if a person's going to be executed, I think they should have the right to know.

Why are you addressing this to me?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

To directly answer the question in the OP - whether anticipation with uncertainty or anticipation with certainty is more painful is really a factor of individual personality.

And I doubt any of us really know which we would prefer, since we've never been in that situation.