UK Death Penalty - would you like it returned?

So good to hear your views, especially as we all seem to agree (for once!)

You are bound to get this topic discussed again in the wake of something as horrific as the Southport murders. The death penalty seems a just sentence for the carnage and anguish he caused but I think being locked away and running the gauntlet of other prisoners who will think of all ways to make his life hell will be a much harder punishment.

Barleyfields you have just made a very good point.

Civilised society? where innocent people including children are tortured and battered to death.

When you hear of the torment, torture, and death at the hands of so called parents, I think yes... But then I feel let them serve their sentence, and think about what they've done to their innocent children. No death sentence here, we are better than that.

No to a death penalty
Yes to overhauling our CJS, Improving alternatives to prison, opening more prisons where inmates go out to work during the day, using prison mostly for offenders who pose a risk to others.

These improvements need to be underpinned by investment in Early Years, mh, substance misuse and services for children with SENS

Definitely no.

A no from me

Redhead56

Civilised society? where innocent people including children are tortured and battered to death.

All societies have their uncivilised elements,, but I do think that overall our laws are civilised. The death penalty is not, and should never be reintroduced. It is immoral.

Redhead56

Civilised society? where innocent people including children are tortured and battered to death.

I still like to believe that all in all we are civilised.

Far more good stable people than “bad” people.

Sadly too many poor women and children are still experiencing terrible abuse (I know men do too).

We hear so much more about these awful henious events due to social media and more reporting.

I still believe most of us are good, law abiding, kind people!

Better 10 guilty men go free than one innocent should suffer. Once the state has executed someone you can’t bring them back if there is a miscarriage of justice. However my view has been shaken a bit where you see someone knife and kill another and there is absolutely no doubt that person is a murderer. If you adopted that how long before it gets extended? Better stay with no death penalty in the UK.

No. But I would like to see a 2-tier prison system. One for those convicted of crimes not against the person such as fraud and one for those convicted of crimes against the person. I would like much stronger sentences for the latter as it seems many people are set free far too early.

I agree totally with you Cossy.
Execution is state sponsored murder, stooping to the level of those criminals who commit this terrible crime. The state and the judiciary is not there to seek revenge.
Glad to see that the death penalty isn’t popular.

GrannyGravy13

In some really dreadful indisputable cases my heart says yes.

Fortunately my head quickly takes over, no I wouldn’t like to see the death penalty here in the UK.

Same here

No, I would not be comfortable with its reintroduction. Even though my initial instinct when some have been convicted of the most heinous crimes is that they should face the death penalty, my common sense and Christianity prevails and tells me that two wrongs can never make a right and the taking of a life is always wrong. That does not mean that I think those who have perpetrated such awful crimes should go unpunished, they most certainly should, but the death penalty can never be the answer. People in the past who have been wrongly found guilty and executed can never be brought back, and it has happened a lot, unfortunately.

I am finding it so good reading this thread and will add my no too.

Capital punishment is one of those old chestnuts dragged up by some from time to time as if it will be an easy answer to the horrible crimes we see on our screens every day.

Look at the US- one of the only countries on the planet that still has it. Has it stopped serious crime there?

No. Definitely not!

Absolutely not. I think USA and Japan are the only countries in the ‘civilised’ world with the death penalty.

No, not snappy, but it's a bit of a goady topic for a thread.
I agree with the poster who said
Capital punishment is one of those old chestnuts dragged up by some from time to time as if it will be an easy answer to the horrible crimes we see on our screens every day .

But I wonder what some would say whose lives have been affected by family members being murdered, never to be the same again?

Patents of little children, teenage sons and daughters….

They must find it hard to forgive and move on.

I’m sure we all understand that the vast majority of people affected by such a tragedy would want to see the perpetrator dead, Calendargirl. It always amazes me that some find the ability to forgive. I know I couldn’t despite professing to be a Christian.

And the families of the hanged but innocent?

Calendargirl

But I wonder what some would say whose lives have been affected by family members being murdered, never to be the same again?

Patents of little children, teenage sons and daughters….

They must find it hard to forgive and move on.

While not a family member, a friend was murdered a number of years ago....her family have never been able to "move on" and the effect her death had on them was horrendous.
However, none of them wanted the perpetrator dead. It was their wish that he would be locked up for the rest of his life, never to be released.
His sentence was six years for manslaughter

Indigo8

If capital punishment were to re-introduced to Britain I would apply for Irish citizenship and, if possible, emigrate.

The death penalty has no place in, so called, civilised society. Far too many innocent people were killed for crimes they did not commit in the past.

Statistically, it does not act as a deterrent as most killers do not intend to be caught. The states in the USA which still have capital punishment do not have significantly lower murder rates than those that don't.

I have heard the 'Why should the taxpayer have to pay to keep blah blah blah' argument countless times, my reply is, because the alternative is so much worse.

People also say "How would you feel if it were your child, partner, parent, or friend who had been murdered?" I would hope I would still feel the same way but it has yet to happen so I don't know for sure.

When I was a teenager I joined a demonstration against the death penalty which took place in London. My opinion about it has not changed.

Good post Indigo.. I agree

Yes, I'd support it, under very strict and absolutely proven circumstances.