Executions suspended in Florida and California

[Emsworth]

In general, I would argue that the death penalty should be reserved for extraordinary situations such as wars. If, for example, someone were convicted of spying during wartime, then it would be perfectly justifiable to kill him: he would be no different from any other military casualty. Likewise, I think that the circumstances of a murderer already serving a life sentence, and committing a second crime while in prison, qualify as exceptional enough to merit capital punishment.

But in normal circumstances, I'd say that capital punishment is generally unjustifiable, primarily because too many innocent people tend to be executed. I think that the fact that someone is guilty of murdering another is insufficient--I'd say that there must be something more, in order to justify the deprivation of life.

That said, the suspension of executions in California by a federal judge is unjustified and contrary to the law.

[Emsworth]

Why is parole such a horrible thing? I would, in fact, advocate the complete abolition of life without parole. Every prisoner should be eligible for (but not automatically entitled to) parole. Firstly, this gives the prisoner some incentive to behave appropriately in prison. If he has even a faint glimmer of hope for freedom, then he is much less likely to misbehave. Secondly, if the prisoner truly has been rehabilitated, and is not going to produce any further harm to society (a fact to be determined by the parole board), then there is clearly no reason to force him to remain in prison. And if he hasn't been rehabilitated, then there is still no harm in allowing him to at least apply for parole, and be denied.