Would you favor replacing the death penalty with hard labor?

[Cashcow]

Yes, in all situations. It'd be more of a deterrent, more cost-effective, and honestly, it's a better punishment for mass murderers and the like.

[Gabu]

Yes, in all situations.  I think it would be an excellent alternative for two reasons:

1. The guilty would have to give back to the community from which they stole something.
2. The innocent could be released and compensated for their troubles when found to be so.

[Richard]

In some situations.  The victim, or family of the victim, should be given the choice.  Then, the criminal should be given a choice too.  Finally, the jury should have the last say.

[John Dibble]

In most cases. I still would like the death penalty reserved for the most vile of villains.

[nclib]

Option 4.

However, I would still support hard labor over the death penalty.

[A18]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

[nclib]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

[A18]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

[7,052,770]

Sounds good.  We really need our roads and highways improved here, so having prisoners do it would move things along a lot.  They could also build parks and stuff and clean up litter (they do that some here, but not a lot).
Let 'em get a chance to do something right for once.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Finally, the jury should have the last say.

Never

[John Dibble]

Sounds good.  We really need our roads and highways improved here, so having prisoners do it would move things along a lot.  They could also build parks and stuff and clean up litter (they do that some here, but not a lot).
Let 'em get a chance to do something right for once.

I demand that they break up big rocks into little rocks, paste the little rocks back into big rocks, and then break up the big rocks into little ones again!

[Schmitz in 1972]

In all situations. The death penalty is the most sickening of all postitions held by the American right. In doing work these notorious villains will help society and learn more than they would have by just being killed. In fact if Bin Laden were ever captured I'd rather have him do labor than be put to death.

You have heard it that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

[opebo]

Option number four.  Labour would be pointless - if they were doing someone economically useful, they would be taking jobs away from well-paid union workers (hah, if there still were such people!).  As for doing senseless work, like digging and filling holes or other Sisyphus-like punishment, I don't see how anything is gained by that.

I'd say the best thing would just be to drug them up like mental patients.

[John Dibble]

Option number four.  Labour would be pointless - if they were doing someone economically useful, they would be taking jobs away from well-paid union workers (hah, if there still were such people!).  As for doing senseless work, like digging and filling holes or other Sisyphus-like punishment, I don't see how anything is gained by that.

I'd say the best thing would just be to drug them up like mental patients.

Well, one thing they could do is grow their own food, like they used to in the past. That wouldn't cost too many jobs. Back in the day prisons used to actually make a profit.

Also, it must be considered that we'll save on prison costs that way, so there will be less taxes, so it will be easier to regenerate whatever jobs are lost.

[ilikeverin]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

So I take it you support strict gun control measures?

[John Dibble]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

So I take it you support strict gun control measures?

Gun control measures = being able to hit my target. Being able to hit my target prevents criminals from harming me.

[Alcon]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

So I take it you support strict gun control measures?

Gun control measures = being able to hit my target. Being able to hit my target prevents criminals from harming me.

Unless, of course, they have a larger gun.

I am for this in all cases.  Let them improve the society they attempted to destroy.

[John Dibble]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

So I take it you support strict gun control measures?

Gun control measures = being able to hit my target. Being able to hit my target prevents criminals from harming me.

Unless, of course, they have a larger gun.

Doesn't matter how big their gun is if they have a bullet in their brain.

[Alcon]

Option 4.

Your heartless apathy for justice is truly sick.

I would put more effort into prevention than punishment.

Punishment is the best kind of prevention.

So I take it you support strict gun control measures?

Gun control measures = being able to hit my target. Being able to hit my target prevents criminals from harming me.

Unless, of course, they have a larger gun.

Doesn't matter how big their gun is if they have a bullet in their brain.

Of course, it does matter if they are a faster shot than you.

And, if they are, you are dead.

Otherwise they probably will just steal your money. Personally, I would rather lose a wallet than have a 5% chance of losing my life  and a 90% chance of keeping my money.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

no, because it would just steal jobs. I voted option 4, just lock them up.

[Huckleberry Finn]

In most situations.

[Lunar]

no, because it would just steal jobs. I voted option 4, just lock them up.

I'd pick random public works projects that would not have been done otherwise (fountains, parks, ditches, etc). 

[J. J.]

I support hard labor, especially for repeat offenders.  I'm in favor, wholeheartedly, of rehabilitation, but it doesn't help with repeat offenders.

Make prison so terrible that criminals will be too afraid to go back.

[Nym90]

Yes, in all situations. I think it would be an excellent alternative for two reasons:

1. The guilty would have to give back to the community from which they stole something.
2. The innocent could be released and compensated for their troubles when found to be so.

I agree completely.

I had never thought of your 2nd point, that's a good one, too. If evidence later turns up showing that you were innocent of your crime, and you are released from prison, the government pays you for your labor through the years, at whatever the current going rate is for that work. Makes sense to me.

And I definitely agree that those who are found guilty should be required to work.