The Forum > General Discussion > Death Penalty - Should this ultimate punishment be revisited for certain atrocious crime(s)?
Death Penalty - Should this ultimate punishment be revisited for certain atrocious crime(s)?
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I'm implacably against state-sanctioned executions for any crimes. I would further add, as a retired 'jack,' I'm generally on my 'Pat Malone,' as evidenced by the number of heated discussions I've had with colleagues, as we try to stay alert, during the quiet hours, on night shift.
I again return to that eminent jurist BLACKSTONE when he said '... a 100 guilty men should go free than one innocent man is punished. Equally applicable in the merit of Capital Punishment?
During a trip to the US in 1986 and again in '87, during a break I had, between the Courses I was attending, I was invited to visit several large State Penitentiaries. And the, ah - 'highlight' if you will, of those visits, was being shown their various 'death' chambers. Viz, Electric Chair, Gas Chamber & the 'Needle Room'?
Many of you may not know, on the top landing of 4 Wing, CIP, in our own Long Bay Gaol, the beam; the trapdoor; & the mechanism is still firmly in situ! The only thing from it being rendered operable again, are a couple of small weld spots, easily removed should the government of the day have a mind to do so?
Obviously, these Chambers of Death weren't in use. But when one is confronted with the cold, calculated precision, the administrators of these gaols go through, to kill another human being, well it left me utterly mortified and prompted me to realise - all it amounted to, was State-sanctioned murder.
Please don't think that I'm some weak, 'big girl's blouse.' I'm a veteran of war myself (1964/65) But, to coldly execute another, by pushing a switch, or pulling on a short handle .....nope, not for me, I'm afraid.
In my opinion, the only punishment 'for the worst of the worst' crimes, & those who would commit them - stick 'im in maximum security, and lose the key!