Why I Believe in Capital Punishment
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Capital Punishment -- Right or Wrong?
Before anyone picks up stones to throw in my direction, let me just say, first off, that I realize fully that capital punishment is not a form of justice. It is retribution and inherently unjust. So how can I then say that I believe in it? To answer that question, we must first answer another question: what is justice? The answer is simple: Justice is restitution, restoring what has been destroyed. Restitution means fixing what has been broken.
Let's just say, for example, that as a child, I stole my neighbor's bicycle and rode it into a ravine and destroyed it. My parents, wondering how I got to be so bruised and scratched up, would proceed to find out what happened and would have only one option – to march me straight over to my neighbor's house, have me apologize, and tell my neighbor that I'll soon be replacing his bicycle with a brand new one, bought with my own allowance.
And they would have been completely just in that sentence, because justice is about restitution, about restoring what has been destroyed. And it would be nice if every crime committed could be resolved in such a neat and easy manner. But in so many cases, we destroy what we cannot rebuild – we take what we have not the capacity to return. Human beings are limited. It is so much easier for us to destroy than to build.
In any crime of a violent nature (murder, rape, or brutal assault) a person takes what they cannot restore. If I rob someone of money, I can be forced to repay it. If I slander them needlessly, I can be forced to apologize. But what if I damage them in a way I cannot repay? What if, through my actions, I leave deep emotional and mental scars? What if, through my actions, I take a person's very life? How then can I make restitution? The answer is simple: I cannot.
And so, in those cases, our only
response becomes retribution – we punish the criminal. We imprison
them, taking away their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. It's the only option left to us. When we cannot force them to fix what they've broken, and so we enforce retribution -- we punish them. But is that really justice? Is sticking someone in prison for life who has committed a murder really justice? I say no. I freely admit that capital punishment is not a form of justice. It's a form of punishment. But I also must say that imprisonment isn't justice either, because it too is a form of punishment, and true justice isn't about punishment, it's about fixing what has been broken.
In any situation where restitution is not possible, our judiciary system has but one responsibility left: to do what's best for society as a whole. When someone commits a crime against a fellow human being or against his society, the best thing for the system is to remove the offender from society until he can learn not to damage it. It's not really about justice at that point, it's about preserving society.
And so, we come back to the issue of capital punishment. In the case of a criminal murdering his fellow man, we can clearly see that restitution is in no way possible. We cannot force the offender to restore what he has destroyed. All we are left with is retribution. To say that capital punishment is unjust is somewhat of a nonsensical statement because it begs the question: what would be just? How would you force a murderer to make restitution? You cannot. Leaving them in a jail cell for life is not justice, it's simply a lesser form of retribution. In the case of violent crimes such as murder, rape, and brutal assault, the question of pure justice can no longer be applied.
At this point, the judicial system's only responsibility is to do what's best for society. Retribution is about doing what's best for society. And in our current system, our country has, by and large, decided that capital punishment is what is best for society. I happen to agree with them. To call capital punishment “wrong” is somewhat nonsensical, because there is no response to murder that we could call “right.” Simply leaving the prisoner in jail for a lifetime does not satisfy justice, it simply is a lesser form of retribution. Justice cannot be served in this case, because something was taken that cannot be given back.
And so, because there is no “right” response to murder, we as a society have but one responsibility: to do what is best for our society as a whole. And from that pure standpoint, the numbers tell it all. With the overcrowding of our prisons, with the overwhelming expenses they incur – one can easily make the argument that capital punishment is better for society, at least from a monetary standpoint.
That being said, one can also say that holding onto hope, and allowing a prisoner time to repent is more important than money. That is a perfectly valid claim. The purpose of this hub is not to prove that capital punishment is the best system. The purpose of this hub is to show that capital punishment is an acceptable system, that it cannot simply be called inherently wrong, and be done away with.
There is one more statement of note that should be added. Many people believe that human beings have no right to take the life of another, even the life of a serial killer. This concept I have not addressed because I didn't feel it was necessary. Some may disagree. And if they like, we can discuss that as well :) Thanks very much for reading. You may throw your stones if you wish now.
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Comments
If anyone hurt my family I would carry out the sentence myself before the courts could have their say. That is pure justice. In England we regularly see appalling decisions in court for brutal attacks and murders and it has prompted muslims to seek permision from our gov to enforce sharia law in predominantly muslim areas. The more I see around me, the more I see their point.
Thank you and I am In full agreement with you . I have no problem saying that we do not use Capital punishment near enough . We here In the US are a little to concerned with the welfare of the criminal and not the victims .
Coffeesnob -- Thanks for stopping by! I am definitely with on the question of being the one to give the injection. That's an issue that I don't really know what to deal with yet. You're already poking holes in my argument :)
Dan -- I agree completely. I hate some of the court rulings I hear about these days. It's getting really ridiculous out there. I didn't know that fact about Sharia law in England and the muslim communities pushing for it. That's really interesting. I'll have to read more about that
Tony -- Thanks man. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens
Benji is stupid.
JUST KIDDING! But seriously, this is an ethical qualm of mine that I will "flip-flop" on the rest of my days. Kind of like same-sex marriage--I simply will never make up my mind. I will always be in this constant stasis of weighing both sides, identifying that they both have excellent points, and ones that are equally as falliable and manipulative.
I just think it's all in the matter of micro-contexts--simply every piece of information counts, absolute precision. But then again, I am always in the grey, and I will never make up my mind--and I think i'm okay with that.
Great hub Benji :)
Thanks man :) And I agree completely. With an issue like this, we need complete precision, which is actually a great argument against capital punishment, now that you mention it. It's an old axiom that says, when in doubt, proceed with caution. Thanks for the thoughts. And even though it may not seem like it, I'm still pretty close to being in the gray myself.
I also agree with you.What gets me is someone goes out and murders lets say a child. Not only is the child's life lost,but the rest of the family for rest of their lives. If someone can not care about life and have a heart so cold to deny that child a chance to grow up,why should we look after them in jail. It is such a delicate subject.But my god there are some monsters out there what do you do with them?
Exactly! Thanks Blondepoet. It's not always a question of what's right and wrong. Sometimes the situation is so messed up that you just have to make do.
I see it this way. If I could kill someone for killing my child, then I could kill someone who killed someone else's child. So I would have no problem giving an injection. Now the hard part for me is that truth be told, our system is not 100%, what's the word I'm looking for, foolproof? It is a fact that people get put away for murders they did not commit. So how does that do justice when the real murderer is sneaking around somewhere while someone takes the wrap? I still, however, feel that it is a viable option.
Nicely formed argument by the way.
Yeah that's very true as well. To tell you the truth, I didn't really even think about that somehow :( haha I guess there's more holes to the argument than I had hoped. Thanks very much for reading and for the great comment.
I'd have more confidence if I were you, Benji. You make excellent general points and arguments. Don't back down. There are no holes with your piece that I see at all. There will be things to think about and weigh, for certain, if it came down to voting on an issue like this. But it is a very viable option. Don't make me b**** slap you! You've made a very good stand and your explination was terrific.
Thank you very much for saying so. That's very generous of you. And thank you also for the threat of the slap :) haha. I agree with you, once a person takes a stand, they should keep to it. So thanks for the good reminder.
I'd want revenge if something happened to my family and I'm not so sure I would take my chances with the courts messing things up as I have seen that happen too, but there is also a voice inside me that says, if the person has a life sentence its pointless as there is no redemption, and there is no redemption if they die either. If I was the ruler of the world though, I don't think I would allow it because I think I would lose part of my humanity.
So what's your take on those who are pro-life, pro-capital punishment, and pro-war at the same time? Is it contradictory?
Hmmm, I've never thought about that association before. That's an interesting question. What do you think? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. But I totally agree with you that it's hard to trust the courts these days. But you're right, it seems like the actual taking of the life is the difficult part. In principle, it's easy to agree with capital punishment. But once someone actually has to give the injection to another human being, it becomes a different story.
I don't see contradiction in being human, wanting the life of an unborn child to be saved and then juxtaposed with crying for the execution of a serial killer who gets off on molesting children, torturing them and then killing them. I am against war unless we are under attack by an army. Good hub
Here is my take on why capital punishment shouldn't be awarded:
1) First of all it seems like an easy way to get out of the situation (sudden quick death and out of it for the guilty)
2) Does taking a life restore another life (similar to two wrongs don't make a right)
3) About the victims family yes they would be deeply hurt but then in the long run would they be totally satisfied(again some may feel sorry for the perpetrators family too since he/she also happens to belong to someone's family)
4) For the victims family does forgiveness work (maybe it works for some and for others it may not)
5) For the society does it detract others (again no conclusive evidence that crime stops if the punishment is severe enough).
6) For the perpetrator of the crime (if in case he/she totally regrets and wants to change his/her ways should they be allowed).
7) Benefit of doubt (very rarely a person maybe falsely implicated and once the "punishment" has been performed then no roll back possible).
Just Yesterday, a man who has been in jail for 27years was appealing aginst his sentence for murder- they have come up with new DNA evidence that he was NOT the murderer. Gross miscarriage of justice is always going to be evident, . Don't know if we will ever get it right. Science is making it more fool proof tho" Capital Punishment? Yes, but not in my back yard please!!!! Its interesting that the countries who exemplify Capital punishment are thought of are barbarians.
My Personal feeling on the subject? Its a great, Controvesial hub!
CC -- I agree with you. I've thought a lot about it and I don't see a contradiction. I'm not overtly call pro-war, though I don't mind it if it's necessary, but I definitely am pro-life and mostly pro-capital punishment. Thanks for stopping by!
countrywomen -- wow, that's quite a comprehensive list. Adressing your #2 point was probably the main point of this hub. I don't think there is a right response to murder. We just do the best we can with what we have. The rest on your list are excellent points and I thank you for bringing them all up. I'll have to think about them some more.
Suppee -- Wow, I didn't hear about that case. That's very interesting. I hope they'll review his case. I suppose it would be one of the worst things in the world to accidentally kill a prisoner who was innocent in reality. However, it would also be pretty horrible to force an innocent prisoner to languish in jail for the rest of their lives. It's just sucky that our justice system is sometimes so sloppy. No one really trusts the courts anymore. Thanks very much for reading!
Nice picture of the "La Gillettine"! Fits it well. Interesting Hub! Personally I lean another way on this topic but it was an interesting view and topic.
~sasha
My “do as Jesus would do” mentality that occasionally controls me would be say the killing of another human being is in our animal instincts, our DNA, and that if we ever want to turn the corner on that inherent nature, we have to say no to all death by force and that two wrongs don’t make a right. Wars are not necessary ever, I full believe that nowadays. Its true we have no choice in defense against a tyrannical threat or attack, but it is only the powers that be, whether it be religious, political, or economical powers that find it necessary to wage it. I’m sure left to their own devices, people separated by borders also believe in having a home, a family in peace, and would be willing to share whatever bread they have with their neighbors. I think in the end the death penalty is not our decision to make, it is the higher source that ultimately clocks us out, permanently.
So how does one find salvation of their soul, for remorse for their crimes, will they ever be able to prove it? Would we be able to forgive if they truly did? Or is that our decision to make? If we can judge their crimes, can we judge their redemption?
That's a position I fully respect and wrestle with at times. "I think in the end the death penalty is not our decision to make, it is the higher source that ultimately clocks us out, permanently." I'm glad you brought it up GT. That's the one position that cannot be argued with because we can't really ever know if it's our right or not to take another human being's life. I think that your stance is wise, because when one is in doubt, it's always best to proceed with caution. That being said, we must also respect society's decision to do what it feels is best for itself. It's the same with issues such as drug use. One could very easily argue that it's their right to do with their body what they want. But society also has the right to say that it doesn't want its members walking around high all day because it's not best for society as a whole. It's an interesting paradox, I think. Thanks for the insights.
If you take someones life because they took a life, all you end up with in the end is two taken lives.
I don't think that captial punishment "works" as punishment or retritbution. The way I see it, a person who kills someone should spend the rest of his or her life fixing pot holes, fixing roofs, etc. They should spend the rest of their lives giving back for the life they took. Food banks wouldn't need volunteers, we wouldn't need immigrant workers to pick vegetables. They would have to build their own jails and grow their own food and make their own clothes. They would have to build homes for the homeless. But I guess all of what I described above is too much like right. The government may not want to police all of that, but policing it all couldn't cost anymore than the suffering we go through due to crime. If jail were what I described above, fewer people would be habitual criminals and murders.
I agree, if jails were what you describe, this country would be a much better place. That would be a very good first step.
This is a tricky one Benji. But all the social, moral and legal issues aside I guess the best one to ask is somebody who had seen capital punishment carried out for the person who had done him an injustice. Did it correct all the wrongs committed against him? Did peace came to him? Was the other person's death the answer?
Anyway, great read as usual. Thanks for sharing :D
I'll not be throwing stones at you Benji... I believe the same as you. Although, I have made comments before about punishment to criminals. (See my hub: To the Abuser: You Know Who You Are")
Murder, Rape, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse...etc...etc... They are all sick crimes. In my opinion, there is a punishment for each of them... I have said "Let them be punished by what they have done." In other words, do the same to them, but worse... BUT- I don't know anyone who is a good person, who would want to rape a rapist, and so on... So you are correct in your last statement... There is no justice for a murderer, rapist, or child abuser... So what do we do with them? We PAY for their meals and housing (jail) while they rot where they stand... (?) Kind of useless, I think.
Great hub Benji.
I'm in two minds about this hub. I agree that prisons are too 'comfortable' for people who have committed crimes such as murder, rape etc, and i don't think of this as a suitable punishment for those who have inflicted so much pain on their victims and family memebers. However I do not believe that we should have the power to play God. Yes, the criminal has done wrong by his victim and society, and should never be allowed to kill a human being- because it isn't his decision whether that human should live or die. The same with the legal system- why should they decide if another human being should live or die? The courts that pass these judgements are only humans like us- they just have education under their belts. So why should they decide who should live or die.
I believe that punishments should be harder on criminals- no sky TV and comfortable cells and allowances.
Cris -- That's very smart advice. Asking someone who has been there would probably yield a lot of insight. Your mind is keen as always. Thanks for reading.
Miss Dragonfly -- Thanks for keeping the stones at bay, haha :) I'll have to check out your hub about the abuser. Sounds like we think along the same lines. Thanks very much for reading and for leaving such great comments!
Pioneer -- That's a position that I respect. If you think that human beings do not have the right to kill another human being in the courts, then we must simply agree to have a difference of opinion. In my opinion, the legal system gets to decide who lives and dies because, even though they're flawed, they're all we've got. Your argument seems a little dangerous because one could take it a step further and say, "Why does a judge even have the right to punish a criminal at all? The judge wasn't the one who was affected by the crime, after all." But, like I said, it's only my opinion, and I respect that yours is different.
"To The Abuser: You Know Who You Are" is a very emotional hub I wrote when I heard of a crime on the news... I wrote it, never proof-read it, just published it... I have got many comments on it, so I guess I should write free-form more often... To me, these crimes are all stemmed from a sickness. A psychological illness within the brain... I would love to be able to interview them like on "Silence of the Lambs"... Jodi Foster had the best job... trying to get inside the sick heads of these psychopaths. Truth being, I figure, if you could only figure out which part of the brain is damaged, then maybe some expert doctor can make a cure, or "cut" that part of the brain out, or numb it somehow... It's a nice thought, but will probobly never happen.
I haven't got the answer but I so agree is not our decision when one should die...what about putting them on a big boat to live and survive? Here where I live I see some of them out cleaning the roads of junk thrown out and clearing land...but I don't think they are big time criminals.
I agree with making them work and build and grow their own foods...this having all the nice comforting things, we pay for is redicules...and I would say it depends on the crime too...
...anyway well done Hub as always my dear...G-Ma :O) Hugs
Shannon -- I'm gonna go check out that hub right now. I want to see the raw substance of your thoughts :) Hmm, that's an interesting thought. I wonder if you could localize psychopathic behavior to just one small part of the brain.
Gma -- Yep, this is a difficult one. Haha, a big boat :) I like that. Thanks for reading.
Medulla Oblongata- the somewhat pyramid shaped hind part of the vertebrate brain that is continueous with the spinal cord. Have you ever watched "Waterboy"? (LOL) The medulla oblongata controls "aggression"...
Hi Benji,
I appreciate your reply, and I do appreciate your views, because there is part of me which shares some of those points with you. Judges are qualified through schooling, degrees and experience to punish criminals for their actions- that is why judges are usually very intelligent and level-headed people. However giving them the power to decide who lives or who dies is surely setting them apart from normal human beings- they are giving them the power of God even though it isn't in their rights to do so. By all means, punish them for their crimes- but don't play God.
You could say that the death penalty is giving the criminal the easy way out. I think that murderers should pay (in time) for what they've done, but perhaps in a more strict and less homely environment.
Great hub!
Haha, yeah I've seen the Waterboy. That's funny.
Thanks Pioneer for coming back. Your position is a good one, and I cannot argue against it. If you believe that human beings should not be allowed to play God in the case of who should live and die, I respect that completely. I suppose I just don't see it as playing God. Human beings have three fundamental, inalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pusuit of Happiness. When we imprison someone, we already take away the second of their two fundamental rights. I suppose I just don't have a problem with taking away the third in extreme cases. But then again, as others have stated, if you're not sure if you're doing something you shouldn't be (Like playing God) then you should act with caution and probably not do it. Thanks for the comment!
Ben--Sorry, I didn't read this one right when it came out. I wish I would've. I am in total agreement with you on this subject. Some crimes deserve to be treated as such. There is a fine line, but there IS a line. The victim may be able to better point you in the direction of the line, but it's there. Another good hub Benji:)
Jamie, no worries :) Thanks very much for reading and for the positive comments! It seems like you and I have a lot of similar thoughts on life. I like that. Hope you're well. I like the new pic by the way.
Ben, we do have many similar thoughts on life. We will have many great conversations, I know it. Just don't let the love of your life take you away from me (when you find her), I'd miss you:)
Hi Benji, Its funny we are born innately sinful and yetwe also are brn with an innate sense of justice and right and wrong. We are taught to do right, not to know right. You see it when a child is barely one or sometimes not even, they see the thing or action and look to you first if you're watching. They know they are about to enter wrong and are looking to see if the will be something stopping them or a consequence. Growing up like 4th grade to 7th grade I wanted to be a supreme court justice. I wanted to right the wrongs and excute the justice I saw so lacking in society and the judicial system. But as I headed toward that goal, I was struck by the fact that I would never know all the details and I want to be responsible for an innocent man but also that God is the judge. For the falsy accused God is their advocate and great is their reward in the long run. For those who get away with wrong his children, the liability oooh... I just hope for their repentence and redemption. I do think they should removed from society. I have thought for a long time an island far away from civilization and if they work hard enough and have a long enough journey to make it back they are probably changed, if not just put them back on the island again. David could not build the temple for God even though he had a heart like his because there was blood on his hands.
That brings me to another thought though that I have struggled with for some time. About expelling the evil brother from among you until he has come back to following. We are the body and we are all sinful. The church is a hospital filled with broken people needing relationship and to have their hearts grown and mended. Growing there are plenty of mistakes made by truths that have not been learned or by still working towards surrender. There are some who go through hard times and have fallen and yet know God is and are hurting so many in the body and yet there are people that are assigned by God with love for them to have grace and love them back to a life with him in the center. And then there are those that have taken acceptable sin in their lives and expanded upon it and see no harm in the lives they are leading or the many people they are hurting throughout the church. For the mature believer while this stinks and they want love for these members there is also an anguish for the believer that this could be a snare or the begining of bitterness, or a lack of trust or so many other things. Maybe thats why is so many churchs nothing is done. Maybe thats why there are divisions based on different offenders that are no corrected in a timely manner. Acountabilty is preached about but not acted on. I seem to see this over and over again. My love for both the restoration of the restoree and yet my pain over the pain it will cause others if not dealt with.
I do feel its our responsibility though as family and true love wanting Gods best for those we love verses lacking the courage required to tell our loved ones the hard things, though it may strain the relationship or break it for a while hopefully they know our love and that we hate the loss yet want the best for their eternity. If there was a snake or a car coming or whatever we tell them, but if they are about to jump off a spiritual cliff or are walking down a well traveled path to quick sand. (Where slow and yet fully engulfing.) Times like this I always feel torn.Between what is just for who and what is grace for who. Maybe thats why its not addressed other than as a message for people to think about.
I love that Paul had such Love in his letters and yet told it exactly how it was. I think I've been waiting for years for a pastor to get up there and just preach like Paul. But I'm sure that would test their faith in offering and have a million more people than already do picking on their sermon. Which makes me realizes I think I should not just pray for pastors but send them notes of encouragement on the good things they say and do. Anyway what do you think Benji? I know i went way off topic. Heidi
Good Hub...Just to point out the difference in our childhood and childhood now using your example of the bike... the parents of the kid that stole the bike and trashed it would have to pay millions of dollars in emotional damages for the other kid being permanently scarred and would subsequently lose their house and the kid would end up in a foster home and ultimately in jail by 26. None of this would be because either party wants it but because the lawyers want to make an example and get a fat payday from it. In that case where and what would be the justice...I guess it would be taking everthing away from the lawyer and making him live on the street. As far as justice in murder cases...killing the murderer is not very just beause it is virtually painless and they don't know what they are missing out on in their own future. Real retribution would be killing someone dear to them and letting them live with it. Killing the killer is just a hell of a lot easier to live with. I think capital punishment should extend to all violent crimes though. Rape and be raped...assault and be assaulted...and do it publicly to detour people. People do wrong because we live in a society of no accountability. If there were serious consequences for violent crime less than murder those offenders would probably not escalate to murder in the first place. I think we as Americans just don't know what a really tough life is and think we are entitled to throw a fit and hurt and destroy anything and anyone around us when we are unhappy...hell in many cases especially in our youth and even more espeially in over privileged youth they are just bored and aren't getting enough attention. Holy crap what are these little sociopaths going to be like when they grow up? There must be a reason that some countries have this problem and some don't. Maybe we need to take a lesson from the pages of some tougher cultures.
You neglected to deal with the fact that innocent people with some frequency are convicted of capital crimes. Here's an example of an innocent man executed not long ago in Texas:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/09/07/0909
Moreover, many death row inmates have been proven innocent by DNA tests and released. This is an indication that innocent people have been executed.
Moreover, academic research indicates that capital punishment is not an effective deterrent and that the recidivism rate for paroled murderers is lower than for other crimes.
You are very right, I didn't deal with either of those issues. Killing an innocent person convicted of a heinous crime is a terrible, terrible thing. I'm really glad that modern DNA testing is allowing the courts to be much more accurate in their convictions. However, that doesn't indemnify those cases where innocent persons were put to death. I don't have an answer for you. Even to lock them away for decades is horrible beyond belief. The only answer I have for you is that the argument is from a theoretic standpoint that in theory I can accept capital punishment as a viable idea. However, in practice, if the justice system can't find a way to keep innocent persons from being put to death, then I would be forced to agree with you that capital punishment shouldn't be used. I'm glad you pointed that out. I hadn't thought about that in the writing of the article.
I agree 100%. Please read my hub "A Call for death sentence for Confirmed Rapists" and give comments.
Thanks! Will do.
While I agree that everyone has a dirrerent opinion, I go to the statement you made regarding "what has been taken cannot be replaced and restore to the person what has been lost." If this is the view I have to ask you "how does killing a person who has killed restore what has been taken?" It can't, nothing can bring that life back. With that said "If we execute someone who is innocent as we here in Texas have done" how do we restore that life to that person? We can't. So how are our actions any different than the person who kills another? Again I must ask... Why do we kill people to show people that killing people is wrong???
Regards Christal
You're questions are well thought out, and you are very right in saying that capital punishment is not justice. Taking a life from someone who has taken a life isn't just, especially when we sometimes accidentally kill innocent persons in the process. However, that being said, sticking someone in jail who has taken a life isn't just either. Unless we can cause the person to somehow restore the life they've taken, which is obviously impossible, we can't bring about justice. So all that we're left with are a bunch of unjust options. The question must be asked, what is the just thing to do to a person who has killed another person? Is there an answer to that question? I don't think there is. That's what no one can seem to answer. What would be the just thing to do with a person who has committed murder? I agree with you that when we kill another human being, we are in danger of being like the murderer ourselves. However, I think that since it's the justice system which does the capital punishment and not individual citizens, that removes the danger.
coffeesnob says:
9 months ago
Benji,
I walk the fence a bit in this area. I guess I would lean toward being in favor of CP, but then I come to the question of would I be willing to give the injection - and I can't say I would. So, if I can't then I don't think I could expect another person to do that job for me. I do believe strongly in defense of life, family country etc. - that meaning if someone tried to hurt one of my own I would not hesitate to pull the trigger. I think the whole process of CP is what trips me up. For me the main issue is getting them off the street where they can't do any more harm. I guess in the end I have to agree that it is an acceptable system, but I do say this with tongue in cheek