Do you also oppose LWOP sentences then? Because I consider it a functional equivalent....you are sentenced to die within the perimeter of the prison.
Well, I disagree that they're functional equvalents. Everyone has to die at some point, you're not depriving that person of living his life, even if it's a pretty crappy life. The state isn't making an equivalent decision when sentencing him to die in prison at some possibly distant time in the future.
That said, I do oppose LWOP sentences in most cases because I think they're counterproductive. The vast majority of those imprisoned for life could be released after 15, 20, 30 years without posing a severe threat to society.
And for those that are still considered dangerous, or for the very worst of the worst, parole can still be denied. You don't need to deny the possibility of parole from the very beginning, though.
It's like a more extreme version as to when parents physically discipline their children... why they're actually doing it. In most cases it's not really about teaching the children anything, it's just the parents venting frustration.
Being as harsh and severe as possible with those who break the law is primarily about venting anger or frustration - nothing to do with justice.
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