Why choose life in prison vs death?

[sourn]

If I was innocent I'd fight till my last breath. Though I wouldn't make it long in prisoner as I would probably be killed rather quickly.

If I was guilty, and knew I deserved the punishment I would want to end it as quickly as I could. Luckly that's not something I have to worry about, as I don't plan on going crazy anytime soon (well I guess most crazy people don't plan on it lol).

 

[z1ggy]

Plus hey, you might find out you're a closet gay. Then it'll be the best years of your life!!

 

[marvdmartian]

Who knows? Fear of death? Fear of judgement after death?

Maybe he's looking forward to the free surprise butt sex he'll get, if they put him in general population?? :twisted:

 

[W.C. Nimoy]

i would not plea guilty just to remove the option of a death sentence.

if i lose, i'd rather die than spend 2/3 of my remaining life locked up.
(even if prisons now have cable and netflix)

Why choose life in prison over death?

Sounds logical, & i agree in theory.

I'd just submit our mindsets would change long before we came face to face with the reality. You'd want to live.

 

[JEDI]

I don't believe you. I'm skeptical of anyone who says "I'd rather die than x" where x is grow old/life in prison/anything else that's not some form of horrific pain and suffering. The will to survive is a strong instinct, unless you suffer from depression or have some other form of psychological abnormality.

being bubba's butt buddy?

 

[1sikbITCH]

Not everyone is such a bad ass as yourself and can take being killed.

Also most people are betting sooner or later they will get paroled or an error in the case will free them.

During that time they are usually living pretty decently for their standards.

I agree with this. I'd survive as long as possible. They just started releasing a couple hundred murderers and other lifers here for some technicality or something.
LOL no netflix for you suckers.

 

[SlitheryDee]

being bubba's butt buddy?

So you really think that everyone who goes to prison is anally raped at some point. Ok.

 

[Zodiark1593]

So you really think that everyone who goes to prison is anally raped at some point. Ok.

From what I hear, getting the Bubba treatment is much greater when your crime is viewed as especially heinous. [think child rape], though death is just as likely.

Next in line would probably be the weaker inmates, as a show of dominance.

 

[1sikbITCH]

From what I hear, getting the Bubba treatment is much greater when your crime is viewed as especially heinous. [think child rape], though death is just as likely.

Next in line would probably be the weaker inmates, as a show of dominance.

You think some psycho that's been locked up for 37 years is making your asshole bleed as a show of dominance? LOL he's fucking you cause you're the closest thing to pussy he's had in 37 years. He's getting laid!

 

[TheVrolok]

Final Words:
"To Mark's family, I would like to express my sincerest apologies. It was a senseless act. It was a needless act. The world is worse off without him. To my family, I love you. It's going to be all good." He finished by referring to Obama, the Democratic presidential hopeful. "For those who oppose the death penalty and want to see it end, our best bet is to vote for Barack Obama because his supporters have been working behind the scenes to end this practice. God bless America; it's been great living here. That's all."

Pretty solid last words tbh.

 

[poofyhairguy]

This brings up an interesting point-

Older generations had the idea that prison was soft, with TV and such. More than one has told me they pined for days when "they made them break rocks."

Meanwhile younger generations, inspired by movies/tv like Office Space, American History X, and OZ, see prison as a place you get raped by large men. Makes the rocks sound kinda nice.

I wonder if this generation gap of sentiment will kill the death penalty in time. If one really believes prison is a place where you get raped daily then maybe even death doesn't sound so bad. Or solitary confinement even.

 

[tboo]

Maybe this will help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jUz5Ed0ZA

 

[weadjust]

If you get the death penalty your still going to serve 5-15 years in prison before they do it. Usually on death row solitary locked up 23 hours a day. If you weren't crazy before they locked you up you probably are by the time they kill you.

 

[1sikbITCH]

This brings up an interesting point-

Older generations had the idea that prison was soft, with TV and such. More than one has told me they pined for days when "they made them break rocks."

Meanwhile younger generations, inspired by movies/tv like Office Space, American History X, and OZ, see prison as a place you get raped by large men. Makes the rocks sound kinda nice.

I wonder if this generation gap of sentiment will kill the death penalty in time. If one really believes prison is a place where you get raped daily then maybe even death doesn't sound so bad. Or solitary confinement even.

You have described society in general. In the 50's they fought with bats and knives. In the 80s they got machine guns. Nowadays they blow up your whole fcking city. Citizens cheer for executions.

I await The Running Man.

 

[ProchargeMe]

Life doesn't ALWAYS mean life.

 

[Printer Bandit]

Eudora

 

[OinkBoink]

How fulfilling can life in prison be (assuming you're going to spend your whole life there)? It's nasty survival. Sure you could do college courses, but how well would you be able to utilise what you've learnt? You could learn simply to learn, if you enjoy doing that.

Also, about a fulfilling life, any sort of a life can be "fulfilling". But that's just because you don't have a choice BUT to feel happy with what you've got. The brain rationalises and manufactures happiness because it's the only way to survive. This is an interesting TED talk on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q1dgn_C0AU

You'll still have your moments of pain and regret though.

And rape in prison is a horrible idea. So many inmates have committed suicide because of it. It's very easy to joke about it on a forum, and it's not only those who've committed heinous crimes who go through that stuff.

I think some people don't want inmates to be put to die because it's an easy way out, so to speak, and may not be very good a deterrent when it comes to setting an example to other members of society (so that they think twice before they commit a crime).

 

[poofyhairguy]

And rape in prison is a horrible idea. So many inmates have committed suicide because of it. It's very easy to joke about it on a forum, and it's not only those who've committed heinous crimes who go through that stuff.

I don't think anyone is really advocating the rape to be an official part of the punishment. But if its the defacto part, that is all the same.

 

[Murloc]

The question I have is why don't we just do away with the life sentence and instead execute everyone who would have gotten life immediately? Ostensibly we're hoping that the people who are getting locked up for less than the rest of their lives will learn their lesson and not commit crimes any more. We still have hope for those people, but we can't say the same for the people who are locked up for life. Once we have decided to lock you up forever, we've basically decided that society is done with you right? Well, why not really be done with you instead of taking care of you for the rest of your life?

you can't reverse an execution, you can still free someone wrongly sentenced.
It's also debatable that execution costs less.
Then there's all the ethical issues.

 

[Xpage]

obviously the free rape!

 

[OinkBoink]

I don't think anyone is really advocating the rape to be an official part of the punishment. But if its the defacto part, that is all the same.

I know no one's advocating it as a form of punishment. People, in general, are way too callous about it though. From what I've seen in documentaries and media reports, the average prison rape victim can't do much about his situation. This happens the world over and not much is done to correct the situation because society has washed their hands off them.

 

[SlitheryDee]

you can't reverse an execution, you can still free someone wrongly sentenced.
It's also debatable that execution costs less.
Then there's all the ethical issues.

Obviously there would have to be no doubt about them committing the crime. I'm talking about when there is video evidence or DNA evidence that is incontrovertible. It does happen. We've seen quite a few damning videos here on ATOT.

Execution costing more than a lifetime of food, shelter, and entertainment is such a ridiculous proposition that it shouldn't come up in a sane society. If there is some kind of crazy red tape situation that causes it to be even close to true, that's an issue that needs to be addressed.

I don't see any ethical issues. We've already seen several people claiming that death was preferable to life imprisonment for them at least. Perhaps life imprisonment is less ethical than execution ultimately. It doesn't matter though. We've decided to remove them from society and take away all their rights, except for whatever small things we allow them within the framework of being a prisoner. I see killing them as a small step from that.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I know no one's advocating it as a form of punishment. People, in general, are way too callous about it though.

Because Americans of all generations view prison as punishment, not rehabilitation. Whether its pounding rocks or pounding ass it seems we all expect more pain from prison than just losing your freedom and privacy.

I am not saying that is right, but I think it is important to remember the connection to America's roots where lynchings were commonplace.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Obviously there would have to be no doubt about them committing the crime. I'm talking about when there is video evidence or DNA evidence that is incontrovertible. It does happen. We've seen quite a few damning videos here on ATOT.

Execution costing more than a lifetime of food, shelter, and entertainment is such a ridiculous proposition that it shouldn't come up in a sane society. If there is some kind of crazy red tape situation that causes it to be even close to true, that's an issue that needs to be addressed.

The red tape that makes it more expensive is the Supreme Court's standard of appeals. The way around it is to add a new amendment to the constitution.

 

[DainBramaged]

Death is forever, I'm in no rush to get there. I'd rather extend my life, even if it was a miserable existence.

Short of torture or excruciating pain from some malady, I agree.