Quote Originally Posted by Crocodile
Quote Originally Posted by it-ogo
Quote Originally Posted by Ramil
From the other hand, I know that nothing works better on a man than a threat of physical violence. That's why I maintain that death penalty threat should work.
You have lost a keyword: "threat of immediate physical violence".
+1
More specifically, a threat of inevitable not distant physical violence. If the serial killers would know they would be caught for sure in a year, they might be more sober about their actions.
Crimes are committed for not to be caught. Nobody wants to spend the rest of his life in prison either but nevertheless criminals exist. I would agree with 'inevitable' part, but object with 'immediate'. If a serial killer knows that he can play crazy and go to asylum instead of execution chamber or else he knows that even a lifetime sentence can be objected I doubt this would make him to reconsider. Compare it to the 'no other option than death' concept. What threat will play its role better -death or imprisonment for life? (If they both fail then why do we need courts and justice?) If a street robber knows that if things would turn to worse he'd get 9-15 years in prison for murder and they'll let him out for good behavior long before that term is expired or he knows that he'd be executed if caught - what option would be stronger? There are risks and there are RISKS.