[MovedGoalPosts]

I fear the issue is not one of should we have capital punishment, more of the increasingly do-gooder attitude to sentencing and more worryingly parole.

If a life sentence meant life imprisonment, there would be a serious message sent out to the gun culture criminal fraternity. That might make them think that the risks were too great and so desist from bahaviour. When however they get a life, or indeed any other sentence but know the "with good behaviour" they can get out with only a small portion of the penalty served, the deterrent risk of sentencing is not there. OK, so strong sentencing woudl stop the impulse, crimes of passion, and the like but it still sends out a stong message. The punishment needs to fit the crime.

The parole system should be reversed. A sentence given is the minimum term. Additional time is added for rule breaking. Yes that would cause a problem for behaviour of lifers, who now have no incentive. The change requires a fundamental rethink of sentencing policy.

As ever we run the risks of miscarriages of justice, and thus I do not beleive it is safe, or ever will be safe despite ever improving forensic science, for us to have a death penalty. If a miscarriage occurs you can give someone back the remainder of their life, if they are still around, but not if society has sanctioned their execution. We have to be very very certain of our ground.