I did not say that keeping someone in for life is c &u, but referring to other times on this board when people have demanded criminals be tortured, starved, etc. It's popped up before, and it's something I find frightening as I thought we were slightly more evolved than that.

My problem with justice related arguments on Pettalk, is that it always seems to become embarassingly simplistic and based on some show someone saw. Everyone can have opinions on anything they want, but when they have basically no specific knowledge in the area they're criticising, and yet still feel that they are absolutely correct, I get angry.

I don't mind if someone who has researched things/studied the topic and comes to a different conclusion than myself. But I do care when people who have no idea about the system feel they are qualified to administer justice.

I believe there are people in jail who are innocent, but there are far more guilty ones inside as well as innocent outside. The system can never be perfect, and I accept that.

However, I think many people feel that if they watch some expose on 60 minutes about ONE jail that has cable tv, that all jails are five star hotels. That's just ignorant. Jails vary greatly, and while many may be decent places (as they should be) just as many jails are rundown nightmares where personal safety is constantly in jeopardy (by way of murder, beatings, rapes).

From my own researsh I believe the best way to defeat crime is through providing jobs, education, etc. But that's not what people want to hear, they just want to increase punishment.

I am morally opposed to the death penalty, as I do not feel that the state (especially as of now) is in any way qualified to determine who lives and dies.