Death Row!

Another thread got me thinking about this, and I wondered what your thoughts were on it.

Here in the UK up until 1998 the only crime you could (but never would have) received a death sentence for was treason, then in 1998 that crime was reduced in severity therefore totally abolishing the death sentence in the UK.

However I am all to aware that it does still exist in some states in the US and is carried out!

Do you agree with an eye for an eye (as it were), do you think it's right that people are put to death?

Do you disagree with it...why?

I personally don't agree with it, for

1) I don't think anyone has the right to take another persons life.

2) if that person has committed a heinous crime,, why would you want to cut there life short, surely suffering the hardships of prison is better punishment.

Discuss away :)

edit to add: I am not talking about euthanasia regarding illness that's another topic.

This one is tough.  The death penalty should only be used more truly the most heinous crimes.  Not just for the victims and their families.  Frankly, I don't believe their would be such as thing as "closure" in many of these situations.  However, I do think the death penalty deters people from committing severe crimes. 

An example of this would be child predators.  Tough penalties need to be established in states where these are lacking.  Statistically, child predator are moving to states where they can get away with more i.e. hello Vermont!  Child preditors know very well what they can get away with in what state, and I definately believe that even the threat of the death penalty will and has deterred child preditors. 

I am neither pro nor con in regards to capital punishment... however I do believe if we allow legal abortion (of which I'm in favour of) and have a "blind eye" attitude towards mercy killing then to not allow the death penalty is inconsistent.

If we sanction killing for convenience (abortion... not always I know but I'm making a hypothetical argument here) or putting the terminally ill out of pain then why would we not sanction killing criminals. 

Perhaps the body of evidence for capital punishment needs to be greater... that is a higher bar of proof is required for conviction.  Perhaps the death penalty must be for those who are incorrigible... I don't have the answers all I know is:

I approve of abortion, I approve of mercy killing and I believe I would be a hypocrite for not approving of capital punishment... however uncomfortable I am with idea.