The case against death row

Seeing another wave of violence, Israelis turn to the "deterrence Messiah" that would save all and cease fatal violence on the streets – the death penalty. Seems tempting, I agree – knowing that a criminal who murdered another human being would be killed himself by our hand feels somewhat soothing. Let the criminals know – the revenge is coming.

The public should not rush to decide on the issue, however. Let emotions subside and look straight at the facts. And here they are.

The state of Texas has one of the highest executions rates in the United States. The Lone Star state had seen 439 persons executed by the judicial system since 1976, yet crime rates are still high, with 10,869 individuals murdered since 2000. Furthermore, in the past 14 years, murder rates hover around same range (between 1,217 and 1,693), with the Texan public suffering 5.9 murders per 100,000 citizens. This is in contrast with, for example, to Wisconsin, which sees 3.3 murders per same amount of inhabitants, with no single execution since 1976 and only a single death row inmate killed beforehand; Connecticut sees 3 murders per 100,000 with a single execution as well.

While statistics certainly differ, they also clearly portray another picture – more executions do not necessarily mean less violent crime. Georgia, having executed 45 inmates, holds steady at the 7.5 murders mark, with North Carolina trailing at 43 executions and 6.5 murders.

The call for a death penalty law strikes a cord with many, but I believe the data presented clearly one point – death rarely deters those willing to kill another human.

Secondly, we must recall that the wheels of justice are ill-advised, at times. Inventors and scientists work tirelessly to discover new crime investigation technology that would uncover precise evidence in police's search for justice; technology that could exonerate those deemed guilty. Mistakes could be made. You cannot revive a dead man.

Ban radios, TVs

So what is a better solution to the problem? Here is an idea: The government should establish an isolated, high-security, hard-labor prison, in the desert – under military control. In the hot weather, prisoners should be forced to work 18 hours a day under harsh conditions. They should be given an hour of free time each week, on Saturdays. Radio and TV sets, as well as books should be barred from prison cells, with jailed individuals having access to those once a week, during the free hour.

Moreover, the media should be called upon to visit the prison, with news crews filming the conditions and the suffering of the inmates. Other reporters should be allowed as well, with the option to interview pre-selected inmates.

Too cruel? Perhaps. Yet never was law enforcement agencies' need for means to prevent crime as dire as it is now. The offered solution would therefore aim to show villains the true face of justice – if you do the crime, the time would be long and painful.