Could you watch an execution?

[Soubriquet]

Watching a film and there’s an execution and of course there’s people sitting behind the glass watching and it made me think, could I watch it?

I don’t think I could. Even if they murdered someone I loved very much, I’m not sure I could sit there and watch someone else die.

But then others say it can bring a sense of closure to them.

What about you?

Yes I remember these and I guess it's the nearest us as the 'general public" would get to choose to watch something like this, not unlike the public hangings etc.

For me it was a no.....I actually felt so sad that these hostages videos were doing the rounds and their families here knowing it, it was too raw even seeing the small snippets on the news which didn't show anything violent, just the speech at the start.

Even if it was a guilty person just the fact it was on screen for the curious I found so horrific. Thst said, a private execution where the only people present were the victims family and witnesses I can understand, if still not agree with....for me the full term sentence is appropriate. Mind you that could change if I was personally involved, so I'll admit I'm probably a hypocrite!

Show it on Pay Per View to raise money for the justice system and government.

or you could make a gameshow of it on Saturday night like the lottery.

As long as the people being executed are criminals convicted of serious crimes, I don't see the problem.

Like, 5 contestants on a game show answering questions but instead of winning money or holidays, they get to choose the execution method for this week’s rapist/murderer?

Imagine PPV! It would be extortionate, so instead of looking for dodgy streams for the football or boxing before it starts, people would be trying to get one before the firing squad starts shooting.

There was a non public execution 30/12/2006

What? Like Death Race? We shouldn’t really be aiming to copy dystopian movies

Absolutely not.

I don’t disagree with your first point - there definitely were western weirdos who went to see it out of ghoulish curiosity - but I don’t think the many reports of Saudis ushering westerners to the front are untrue either. My dad (like most sane people) found the whole thing horrific and stayed well away.

I think Id prefer a FLT but in a labour camp style prison.

A full life in a private room with tv and games / social and education?
Not punitive enough in some cases.

I’m unsure.

The issue is the cost of keeping prisoners is at least 40k PA unsure for ones that may need their own cell etc and not in general population. I would be fine for the likes of murders and rapists to live in misery and less comfort.

Prisons are ridiculous nowadays with all the free playstations, Sky TV and choice of food etc. It should be bread and water, hard labour and no luxuries whatsoever.

Where did you get that about ‘free PlayStations’ from? And sky tv?? Where’s that happening?….

From the Daily Mail, of course.

I've been present when people have died, and it hasn't traumatised me, so yes, I think I could. I'm aware that there's a difference between a relatively peaceful death and an execution, however.

You’ll have the relatives all sat there….mum sobbing no doubt

then the ‘mumsnetter’ sat there a few seats away loving it all, taking it all in ready to post a thread on later that evening …

No I don’t believe in the death penalty. I do believe that anyone who takes a life should be jailed for life and put in a cell for 23 hours a day with one hour for solo exercise. No TV or radio can read certain books but that it

Oh really….and that individual will slowly go stir crazy…. Unlock his cell for exercise and bam! We, the staff, are attacked!

brilliant! Go home to my kids battered and bruised if I’m lucky to go home at all.

You do realise that the punishment is the deprivation of their liberty?

Dehumanising prisoners will only make
things worse and lessen any chance of rehabilitation

Why don’t you go and get locked up then, if they are that desirable?

Whether the death penalty is right or not wasn't the question asked.

as said earlier it wouldn't be a case of closure or justice (for me) but simply seeing they were actually dead & ounabke to cause further harm or death.

have you ever had a lived one seriously harmed or killed by someone deliberately (not an accident)?

It wasn't part of the original question, however a person's opinion on the death penalty would inform their decision whether to watch an execution. Some respondents have said that because of their views on the DP there would be very limited circumstances in which they would attend. None of us know how would feel if we haven't experienced murder of a loved one, but my own views are that I wouldn't want to see someone else killed. I think it's a downward spiral with more grief and misery and more about retribution. I would want to remember the loved one when they were living, not process images of the death of their killer on top of that iyswim.

Yes. If the person had murdered one of our DDs. In fact, I would want to do the deed myself. My only regret would be that it would happen too quickly, and they wouldn't suffer nearly enough.

The love I feel for our DDs is primeval. There's no possible way I could ever react in a civilised, restrained, pragmatic way if someone killed them or even just hurt them

Well I come at it with a totally different perspective to most of you, without too much detail,it’s my job to take care of these prisoners and stop any attempts of taking their lives.

we are expected to look after their well-being one day and escort them to the Dp room the next?

Or from the MOJ policy framework.

Because breaking the law is wrong.

Yes but they are not ‘provided’ or sent in from family! It’s tightly regulated as is everything

of course a bored prisoner with nothing to do is a danger to themselves other prisoners and all staff

if they have something to do and have earned it then it keeps us ALL safe