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Science/nature/environment

Alternatives to the Death Sentence?

(122 Posts)
HollyDaze Thu 21-Aug-14 19:49:56

After reading amy092's thread about the death sentence and possible alternatives to it, it made me think about what could, should or would be done. What do you feel would be a suitable alternative? Or do you feel that the death sentence should be reintroduced?

What about cryonics as a solution for long-term prisoners who have no hope of release as they are too much of a danger to the public? At least that way, if science discovers a way to correct their pathological behaviour traits, they would have the chance to resume life. Ditto with those wrongly accused and imprisoned. Would it work out cheaper in the long run to do this?

Elegran Tue 26-Aug-14 13:58:12

I have thought of just one more practical problem with freezing lifers (I will stop then, Whitewave !)

How would a "cure" be found for the personality/psychological traits that have caused those prisoners to be sentenced to life imprisonment (or to being killed and frozen) if all the examples who could be studied (or experimented on, if you prefer that terminology) are locked away unconscious or worse in freezers, and unavailable, waiting for researchers to produce a cure out of a hat?

whitewave Tue 26-Aug-14 14:11:00

Well if we were in Germany in the 30's and 40's a jolly good wheeze would be to screw into the brain and see what we found, omitting any form of pain relief of course.

This conversation is insane!

Elegran Tue 26-Aug-14 14:15:35

Exactly!

Elegran Tue 26-Aug-14 14:31:37

Is it possible to study behavioural abnormalities when your subjects have stopped behaving at all, either well or badly?

janeainsworth Tue 26-Aug-14 15:24:25

Are you dressed yet Elegran? shockgrin

Galen Tue 26-Aug-14 15:40:24

Wonder what we would find if we looked into the heads of some GNers?hmm

Elegran Tue 26-Aug-14 16:29:49

Not only dressed but have been out gardening, Jane.

Galen If you looked in at one ear, you would see out of the other, if it weren't for the feathers floating round inside.

(Disclaimer - No, that was NOT a dig at the OP or at anyone else specific!

durhamjen Tue 26-Aug-14 23:18:10

Shouldn't you have sent the lifers to the Isle of Man to grow their strawberries, Elegran?

Elegran Tue 26-Aug-14 23:24:21

Are there strawberry fields on the Isle of Man too? I knew about the IoW ones because my son-in-law was surrounded by so many of them there in his childhood that he can't eat them now.

durhamjen Tue 26-Aug-14 23:40:18

Ask Hollydaze. That's where she lives!

Soutra Wed 27-Aug-14 09:41:31

If we are still in the realm of la-la land, maybe the idea of transportation could be resurrected only this time to some distant planet- can't be any dafter than cryogenics grin!

Elegran Wed 27-Aug-14 09:45:28

Perhaps with a detachment of cryogenic researchers to work on the unfinished details of that, with a view to using it once it is perfected?

GrannyTwice Wed 27-Aug-14 10:11:14

I'd quite like this thread to be cryogenically frozen

Elegran Wed 27-Aug-14 10:23:47

Until a cure for it has been discovered . . .

GrannyTwice Wed 27-Aug-14 10:36:28

Elegran grin

Soutra Wed 27-Aug-14 10:42:23

gringrin

Atqui Wed 27-Aug-14 11:56:07

I have only just read this thread, and I am not sure which posts are worse: the dismissive ones , or the patronising ones.
I read a book called A Rusty Gun which was about a prison which seemed to be able to successfully change the behaviour of some violent prisoners through therapy . I suppose it's all down to cost ,if suitable candidates are found.

Soutra Wed 27-Aug-14 12:07:37

Getting a bit crowded in the naughty corner now grin

GrannyTwice Wed 27-Aug-14 12:35:56

Soutra - blush - which are we or are we both?

Galen Wed 27-Aug-14 12:55:24

I'm with you!

GrannyTwice Wed 27-Aug-14 14:15:45

Wow , just wow! As a result of being on this thread, I have just solved 18 across in today's Guardian crossword. I am deeply grateful to HD