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Gee whiz, good people! Think about this for just a moment, please. If I committed a deadly crime and was put to death for it, do you think I would be effectively deterred from further crime?

Now, give me a "life in prison" sentence instead and see what will most likely happen.

Oh, by the way? My "life sentence" does not mean what it says. I could be out on the streets again in 5, 10, 15 or maybe 20 years to become a deadly threat to neighbors, strangers or whomever I chose as my next unfortunate victim again, if I wish.

Ummmmm, let's see. In the meantime I can get a college education for free, if I choose. No pumping gas, waiting tables or any jobs for me to struggle to pay tuition fees.

All my physical needs will be taken care of without charge. Food, clothing and shelter.

Unpaid bills? Taxes? I have none. I don't stress over the small stuff. I can read, watch TV, fold my arms behind my head, lean back and not worry about a mortgage. Oh hum! Wonder what's on the menu tonight. The cook aint a bad chef.

I may get a bit bored from time to time, but we can't have it all now, can we?

Medical and dental? No need to worry about that. I got all the people on the outside working hard for me. Ironically, they are working and can't afford health insurance.

And these folks are so nice they will give me a free lawyer to appeal my case again and again, if I choose. There's always plenty of loop holes.

It appears I have a lot of choices to make. Fortunately, I have some options.....even though my victim has none.

Was the death penalty effective in ancient Israel?

Let's take a look.

Being put to death by stoning (no slipping into a cozy coma here by lethal injection), taught the on-lookers that justice was swift. They knew it left no room for any other thought except clearly you understood the law "a life for a life" meant what it said.

Did it work? Yes! It worked so well that the ancient nation of Israel did not have a prison system. There was no reason for one. Criminals were not fed, housed, clothed and educated and released to commit a serious and violent crime again.

There was no drain on the economic system, and most importantly, law-abiding people knew they were safe and would be protected under the law from violent criminals.

Perhaps the criminal justice system should take a good look back and learn from the past.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Rose Perkins.
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