The punishment needs to fit the crime. There is a difference between pedophilia and child molestation. There is a difference between rape and statutory rape. There is a difference between pre-meditated murder and killing in self-defense. And in each instance there are several levels of difference. In each case the punishment needs to be flexible enough to fit the crime. Some crimes are serious and demand punishment but others are horrible and those who commit them should never be allowed the opportunity to commit them again, punish them and save society, put them to death.

Anyone that thinks it’s appropriate to jail a criminal for life to take them out of society is forgetting that they are still part of society. They cost society money and their imprisonment forces others to interact with them. The thought of being in the same society as a child molester or a rapist is terribly offensive and a cause of fear and anger, but can you imagine being in jail for robbery (out on parole in a few years) and being cellmates with one who is in for life! That’s cruel and unusual punishment. A life sentence is a ridiculous punishment because it causes a drain on tax dollars and still allows the convicted to influence society. The only way to remove them from society and guarantee they will never harm anyone again is to put them to death.