Another form of death penalty

[Savannah]

Because you gain a fully-functioning member of society out of the deal - hopefully.

Yeah, at the exact same cost to taxpayers for appeals PLUS the cost of retraining. Since there is hardly enough money to support the people who haven't done anything wrong, you would be much better off putting that money for retraining into schools.

Now, if this hypothetical situation occurs in a world where everyone is already guaranteed food, housing, health care, education, etc. so that there is no better use for the retraining money, I can agree with your point.

[BroomJockey]

Yeah, at the exact same cost to taxpayers for appeals PLUS the cost of retraining.

Actually, in my ideal justice system, everyone would be receiving training any ways, so the system would be in place, and no additional cost. The government would also work with businesses to find placements for cons when they were released, probably by offering tax incentives to businesses willing to take them on. Those tax breaks would be offset by the gainful employment and taxes paid by the ex-con on their new salary. The eventual result would be less burden on the justice system, saving money, so the cost of a capital trial would be less of an impact.

[Slytovhand]

Sticking with the original intent of the thread...

I'm still against the idea (as I've mentioned - has some really bad way open holes in the idea), but from the other side - ie, the innocent convict - I don't see it as being as bad as Savannah has suggested. If they're proven to be innocent, then the person can be re-introduced back to their family, and all video, stories, photos etc can be gotten out, and the person can, to some extent, rebuild their life (obviously not totally...). Compared with death.. yes, I get the closure idea, but given the 2 options, I don't think too many would seriously choose the death one, over the alive, but not themselves. Is it any worse than a car accident where someone loses their memories?

Of course, depending on the exact nature of the punishment, it may mean the criminal has a new family and friends, and wouldn't want to leave them...