The death penalty is wrong. No one has the right to take the life of another. Incarceration with absolutely no way of getting out, is a far the better solution. Having to live every day with the crime committed in the forefront of the criminal's mind is a far worse punishment. The reason I say that is it is not morally right to take another person's life. It does not allow for the possibility of the victim to obtain forgiveness for his sins, should he wish to do so. And sitting alone in a cell for the rest of his life with no possibility of parole and with only his memories for company is about the worse kind of punishment imaginable. This is my own thoughts. And yet, were I asked to give more valid reasons for my beliefs, what about this? What about the possibility of the accused being found innocent by later evidence.

It has happened and it will continue to happen. Even if only a few innocents are found among those found guilty and sentenced to death and are vindicated, is reason enough to stop this inhumane practice. It must stop somewhere and where else but the court system? To kill those who have killed is to perpetuate the old time method of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth' type of punishment. It does nothing to deter others from doing the same thing. And, just in case the convicted is not guilty, and this happens sometimes, the judicial system will have no regrets. Allowing the death penalty is carrying child beating to the extremes. The courts do not allow children to be hit and bruised by immature parents who, if not stopped would take their spite on the defenseless.

All right, I know that killers are not defenseless children and often kill randomly and without remorse, but then again, who has ever gotten inside the heads of them to find out why they did what they did? Keeping them alive and questioning them for their motives seems like a sound way to learn all that can be learned from such behavior. At least in this way there are possibilities of finding out how to alter those who seem to have no conscience. Questions such as why are they the way they are can be answered and in this way society can be better served. To get even by putting them to death serves no purpose.

However, there should be strict laws governing eligibility for parole. Simply because there will be no death, does not mean life will be easy. No doubt, if they have a choice, most would choose death over being locked up for life. But that's the point, they must be given time to show remorse, if at all possible. And this will be hard to grasp, but we who sit in judgment must find it in our hearts to forgive. Maybe only a few criminals will be recycled in this way, but that will be worth the effort it takes to stop adding brutality to brutality. Not excuse, forgive and love them in spite of their crimes. We must never forget "Judge not, be ye judged", are not killing words but living words.

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