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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To feel sorry for the cats living in prison?

114 replies

Sallystyle · 24/01/2013 21:46

Now watching "Inside Death Row" with Trevor.

I feel very sorry for the poor cats who live in a cell, especially when they are in lock down.

OP posts:

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 09:48

I found the whole programme bizarre tbh especially when they were talking about making the prisoner 'comfortable' before they gave him lethal injection

It's brought up all sorts of conflicting thoughts, which I suppose is the point of the programme.

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 09:49

They give them a general anaesthetic drug, valium, and then execute them.

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 09:52

Yeah but why bother? It seems so barbaric killing someone as a punishment that why bother making them comfortable?

I am in no way saying that revolting man should ever see the light of day again btw!

mrsjay · 25/01/2013 09:53

they have to keep them calm or they wouldn't die peacefully adrenalin would take over

OmgATalkingOnion · 25/01/2013 09:55

Imagine being in lock down with an overflowing litter tray though.

Punishment on a grand scale.

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 09:56

But it seems odd to want them to die peacefully - if you are doing something as barbaric as killing them then why not make it as difficult as possible? Mind you I imagine it makes it easier for the guards - what a job that is! 'Hard day at the office dear?'

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 09:58

It is what it is. Some states still allow the condemned a choice in manner of execution, in most, however, it's only lethal injection.

ZombieBellesZombieAllTheWay · 25/01/2013 09:58

I've heard that stroking cats helps mental illness (as well as other furry animals) and keeps you calm, lowers blood pressure etc. All those men locked up together with problems and violent tendancies, i can't help but think its a good idea. It probably helps keep the peace and makes the prisoners a lot easier to deal with.

Plus as one poster mentioned, if (hopefully) the cats are rescues, it saves them from death/a miserable life.

One of my cats is indoors, one is outdoors. Different cats suit different lifestyles.

ConferencePear · 25/01/2013 09:58

I am not too worried about the cats in particular, but the whole system seemed inhumane to me.
I have mixed feelings about the death penalty although the man who killed the child made it easier to accept, I just think if the death penalty has been imposed they shouldn't have to wait years for it to be carried out.

mrsjay · 25/01/2013 09:59

I know I guess they don't want them being a struggle and some states have v families of the victims viewing it and imagine the poison the use will be painful

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 10:00

The wait is usually because such prisoners have unlimited appeals. They can waive this right of appeal and that will speed up the date of their execution, but it's not usual.

mrsjay · 25/01/2013 10:01

I used to watch a programme on animal planet where prisoners trained assistance dogs, that was fascinating to watch these men were violent and yet were gentle and loving towards these dogs and trained them well,

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 10:02

conference I think that is one of my problems with it too - except then I think of the families of Baer's victims and wonder if it helps to know he will die too. As I said, I have lots of conflicting views.

ConferencePear · 25/01/2013 10:02

Expatinscotland I know that they can have lots of appeals, I suppose that I think there should be a limit.

mrsjay · 25/01/2013 10:02

is that why they are in death row so long because they appeal the sentence 1 of the men had been there 11 years ( or had he been in prison 11 years)

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 10:03

I think I have read it takes 6 mins to do from lethal injection.

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 10:10

Yes. They have unlimited right of appeal unless they chose to waive it. So you can and do have people who have been on Death Row for well over a decade. Currently, a female, Jody Arias, is on trial in Arizona facing possible death sentence for the murder of her lover. Although most of those on Death Row are males, there are some females.

In order to be eligible for capital punishment, an accused must be found guilty of what is known as a capital crime. In most states, this is murder in conjunction with rape/attempted rape, robbery and/or kidnapping, but in some states it includes murder of a child under 10, murder of a law enforcement officer/fire personnel/paramedic or the like.

TheBigJessie · 25/01/2013 10:11

This thread reminds me of a quote from a book: "But I realise he is capable of love, and caring, for a few. You remind him of his wife, I daresay, or even his daughter; you have seen the private side of tenderness which all but the worst men have."

I think that as human beings, we tend to see people as wholly good, or wholly bad, based on our own experiences. You see that every time the family of a convicted rapist passionately denounce the victim. "He couldn't have done that. He's not like that", a friend or family member says. And indeed he was not. To the speaker.

Just as no-one is a perfect saint, I think most people, who we (we definitely includes me!) all agree should be in prison, are yet capable of kindness and love to a favoured few. So I can well believe such people look after their cats.

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 10:11

In some states, serial or spree murder, murder of over 3 persons, is also treated as a capital crime.

labtest · 25/01/2013 10:21

I didn't feel sorry for any of them. They deserved to be executed. The inmate who slit the throats of a mother and her four year old daughter will have an easier death than they did. As for the cats, they appeared to have a food life.

GanglyGiraffe · 25/01/2013 10:27

What made me feel sick was when the murderer of the young girl and her Mother said that he was "a part of their lives" and that he had their birthdays' marked on his calendar.

Their poor family having to hear that

You were not a part of their lives Mr Baer, you were the cause of their death!

valiumredhead · 25/01/2013 10:41

I know gangly

I hope Princes William or Harry didn't see the programme - all those pics of their mother all over his cell!

Pigsmummy · 25/01/2013 10:52

They had leads and were kept inside, I felt sorry for them too. The guy who is next to be executed has a cute cat, what happens to the cat when he is sent on his way? (he slit the throats of a young mother and 4 year old child in their home after not being able to rape the woman as planned).

CheeseandPickledOnion · 25/01/2013 11:29

The cats are generally kepts on long leashes which allow them to roam about the cell but no further.

These are also generally cats that would have been put to sleep. They are often animals with behavoural issues or other issues which meant they could not be rehomed else where, therefore would face death.

A loving prision home sounds better than death to me.

expatinscotland · 25/01/2013 11:40

The cat will be passed on to another inmate following Baer's execution.

YY, to his saying he was part of their lives. Trevor tried to understand that, but of course, as he said, he can't understand because he is not a murderer.

Cory Clark left behind a little girl of seven following her brutal murder and that of her daughter, as well as her husband, two siblings and parents.

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