3 ms·
I'm not sure if that is valid justification enough to avoid abolishing the death penalty, but I think it does touch on a concern I have with the "life imprisonm
by Crito 12y ago
I'm not sure if that is valid justification enough to avoid abolishing the death penalty, but I think it does touch on a concern I have with the "life imprisonment is cheaper anyway" argument.
The reason generally cited for the higher cost of executing somebody is the lengthy appeals process. Why is it that this makes executions more expensive than life in prison? Do people sentenced to life have fewer appeals? If so, why? Do they simply choose to appeal less, or are they not afforded as many opportunities to appeal? Unless they are actually guilty, either possibility is problematic. In the first case, that means that innocent people sentenced to life are giving up on justice. In the second case, that means that innocent people sentenced to life are being denied justice.
One of the other common criticisms of executions are that they are final; finding out that somebody was innocent after killing them is useless to that person. However if for some reason people sentenced to life are receiving fewer opportunities to be found innocent since it seems less important or time-critical, are we seeing any real benefit?
- nickff 12y ago>"I'm not sure if that is valid justification enough to avoid abolishing the death penalty, but I think it does touch on a concern I have with the "life imprisonment is cheaper anyway" argument." I agree completely with these points. >"Do people sentenced to life have fewer appeals? If so, why? Do they simply choose to appeal less, or are they not afforded as many opportunities to appeal?" This is what many criminal defense attorneys say, and the reason that some defendants prefer a charge which carries the death penalty to one which has a life imprisonment sentence. >"One of the other common criticisms of executions are that they are final; finding out that somebody was innocent after killing them is useless to that person. However if for some reason people sentenced to life are receiving fewer opportunities to be found innocent since it seems less important or time-critical, are we seeing any real benefit?" This is a clearer statement of one of my ill-expressed thoughts.