Rehabilitation, not Revenge

Every thread I've seen on this site about criminal justice has been almost completely focused on making criminals suffer slow and painful deaths (which is sometimes worse than what their victims themselves have suffered). Why the hell is everyone so bloody-minded? Why isn't anyone capable of forgiveness, especially those members whose religion demands them to be?

A justice system based on revenge may make some of the more medieval victims feel better, and it gets politicians votes. But it is neither moral, nor effective in terms of reoffence rates. Criminal justice should be about detaining dangerous individuals to protect society from them, and reconditioning them so that they no longer cause suffering; I should probably mention that this strange and radical idea is called 'rehabilitation', for those who have never heard of it. And of course, rehabilitation isn't possible without forgiveness.

Can someone please alleviate my despair by telling me they agree?

Yes rehab is a good thing, however it isnt used in the right proportions to the crimes.
The most serious offenders that make up a tiny ammount of out prison system get the best rehab, while the muggers and whatnot get second rate s***e delivered by half trained juniors.
Should be the other way round.

You have obviously never been affected by such people?
People who kill/molest children do deserve slow painful deaths, robbers and stuff don't, but the nonces and child killers most certainly do.....

I think you've focused on a few very vocal posters.

Many, many of us have consistently argued against torture and death as "punishment" for criminals, and against "revenge" and retribution as motives.

It seems there is a select list of crimes highlighted in media-inspired moral panics which are consistently seen as capital offences. These particular acts are as much taboos as crimes.

However, if someone is an unarmed prisoner I fail to see how anyone can justify killing them. It's pointless and wasteful.

So if someone was touching your children in an untoward manner you wouldn't wanna throw them in your boot and take a long drive?
And as for child killers here in Australia we have had so many children killed in the last few months, It makes me so very sad.
In my opinion if these people have no respect for a young human beings life, why should we have any for theirs?

I'm afraid I don't have any children, but yes, I would want to protect them. However, 'protection' doesn't extend to killing their assailant long after he has been rendered harmless.

"if these people have no respect for a young human beings life, why should we have any for theirs?" - because we are not child killers like them...are we?

Ok, I agree with you theoretically on that point alone, but at that moment I'm certain my rage would overshadow my morals.
Lets just agree to disagree?

Thanks, I can feel my despair lifting...wait, manicfemme just made another post. Oh well.

You just admitted that capital punishment is an act of rage and irrationality rather than morality. How can you continue to support it?

It is my true and sincere hope that I have the moral fibre to keep myself from seeking bloody vengeance after any attacker or molester has been apprehended.

That's the reason victims and families of victims don't get to sentence the offender.

Emotions play too big a part, even among people who intellectually know that they're sentencing out of pure rage.

That's also why I just said I hope I have enough emotional stability and strength not to let my rage overshadow my morals.

I was sexually abused as a child, i've had a s*** life, it my kids are ever abused and put on the same path i was then i would not hesitate to kill somebody.
And lets not get nasty, lets try to be adults.
I have no problem with you or your ideals.
But as a parent, things are seen a whole lot differently when they're born, someday you'll understand.
I'd be interested to see how you feel about this topic when your a daddy yourself.
Take care all

To commit a crime is a choice. When you make the choice to break the law you choose to take the consequences that will be given.


No one is asking that everyone be punished to those extremes. Just the crimes that warrant it.

So, your position is that, as a parent, it's OK to let your emotions totally rule over your morals?

Is that really the example you'd want to set for your children? That bloody revenge and retribution is OK, even if it overshadows your morals?