AIBU to ask whether the death penalty should apply for certain crimes in the UK?

[PenelopeJoanSterling]

Because the topics got mixed up on my previous thread i thought id ask here, for certain types of crime in the uk, would you be either for or against the death penalty for certain crimes and why ?

But they obviously wont end up living next to your or me so why did you say that?

I would support the death penalty being available, by choice, for people sentenced to 25+ years, who were over 21 at the time of their crime and are proven to be mentally competent. Only because whilst I understand the need for whole life tariffs in some cases, it is imo a "cruel and unusual" punishment, and allowing people to choose would be a kindness and would save the taxpayer money. The choice element takes away the need for expensive appeals.

However, I would only allow it after they had served a minimum of 5 years, so they have time to wrap their head around their sentence and do not opt for death because they fear prison.

I'm OK with some murders.

I am not OK with the State having the power of life or death.

But when some people get murdered, I just don't care. Lots of people have it coming.

I have not felt the need to murder anyone yet personally, but I can't say I never will.

Do you not think their option would be to kill themselves though? Plenty of prisoners manage this.

I’ll give you 10 good reasons why not.

The Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four.

Could be a good idea to give them to option to do this at the time of their sentencing, and to make it easy for them.

Do you really think there would be any take up of that? Seems a bit pointless.

No. I can understand that some victims, or their families, might want it for the most appalling crimes, but for obvious reasons their view will not be an objective one.

I do have some sympathy with the suggestion that criminals who know they will never be released could be offered euthanasia.

The USA's Federal death penalty is barely ever used and almost always commuted. IIRC the Federal "death row" is a literal handful of convicts. Most of the individual States which still have the death penalty as an option are the more backward and deprived.

Singapore is also practically a one-party State in much the same way the PRC is, and it's also horrendously backward in terms of personal and civil liberties, equalities, and minority rights compared to most Democracies, so yes, I'd absolutely contend Singapore is "backward and tinpot".

Just to add to the bingo card, we've now had "taxpayer's money" and "hard-earned" money.

Ignoring the fact the bulk of Government income is not personal taxation, what about all the tax gathered from lazy folk who don't work hard? You don't get a tax rebate or knocked down a band just because you are fond of a skive.

Plus Maguire Seven and Tottenham Three - we're up to 20 already. Then there are the M25 "murderers" (3) and Judith Ward.

So 24 people already, and that's without googling.

I genuinely believe the only way we can improve, not just to reduce crime, but to improve overall, is through investment.

We need massive investment in MH services, early intervention schemes, infrastructure, education, and job creation. All or any of that would have a far bigger impact on reducing crime rates than reinstating the death penalty would.

In 2023 alone, 20 people were killed by dogs in the UK, and yet dog ownership is still allowed, and the idea of banning all dogs to prevent approximately 10 to 20 deaths a year would be considered ridiculous.
Regardless of your opinion on the death penalty, there are many situations in which wholly preventable deaths are considered acceptable collateral damage.

I do have some sympathy with the suggestion that criminals who know they will never be released could be offered euthanasia.

I don’t think they should have any options. Some criminals really won’t care about dying especially if they’re the ones choosing it, and they could even use it as a way to taunt the victim’s family as a way to say “I’m still in control in the end”.

We can't even grow the spine required to offer euthanasia to terminally ill people facing an agonising death. Get that utter disgrace dealt with, and then we can think about offering it to whole lifers.

Minimal? How many innocent people executed is too many? There's a correct answer. 1.

No to the death penalty.

But that is inhuman.

I appreciate the desire for punishment, there are certainly some crimes where I feel it myself but we should not let raw emotion rule the justice system.

Those sorts of crimes...the punishment does not deter.

Absolutely YES in some circumstances like this. Get rid. My thoughts are with the victims and families.

Idealism is sweet but expensive to realise that you’re being unrealistic. Most people don’t change in any significant way from intervention. Pathologies can be medicated but they never go away. Recidivism is the norm no matter what the treatment.

Another "my thoughts are with the families... but fuck one family in particular"

🤔

It seems to work well for Norway and other Scandinavian countries, but yet again, the consensus seems to be that the UK should aim for a race to the bottom instead of spending money to improve things for the majority.

I don't have much sympathy for the close family of the Southport murderer, no. Generally if people commit the most depraved, sadistic, evil acts you can imagine, they need to be gone for good.

For example, I believe this should extend to paedophiles particularly where the victim is a prepubescent girl or boy. The trauma for the victim can last a lifetime. Absolutely get rid, there is no rehabilitation. Just at least one wrecked life and out on the streets again after a few years.

I imagine the poster is thinking more of the “groomed from a teenager” gang leader than the psychopath who killed his family

I don't have much sympathy for the close family of the Southport murderer, no

Well this much was self-evident given that you stated your sympathy for bereaved families then immediately agitated for needlessly creating another bereaved family.

The rest of your post is just typical of the mindless "string them up" vindictive drivel common to these threads.