If you had to choose, would you prefer life in prison without parole or the death sentence?

Depends on the prison conditions. If I had books and regular exercise and meals (at least) with other prisoners, I think I could do the time. A prison job would be a huge plus.

Strict solitary confinement, I might try to end it myself ASAP.

Oh, man, having every minute of my life controlled by someone else?!
Gimmee the injections, forget dinner Ima go now!

Yes, it depends on the prison conditions. Am I warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Do I get enough to eat? And is the food any good? Can I have a TV in my cell? Do I get CARTOON NETWORK?

For use of the term “extunating circumstances” a life sentence without parole should suffice.

Life in prison means one can still come to some redemption of one’s life. The death penalty interrupts that possibility.

The question isn’t about what a sentence should be for any random felon, it is about what you personally would prefer for yourself.

To clarify, I would want life instead of execution.

Depends on the prison conditions.

I guess it would depend on how much of an optimist you are. Life without parole sounds like a drag, but we all know how things change. In 10 or 20 years, that might change to where parole might be possible. Look at Charles Manson…sentenced to death which was immediately changed to life in prison…9 life sentences. Yet eventually society softened and he came up for parole. So if you are an optimist, you might think there is hope with the life sentence w/o parole. Personally, I would choose death. If I had gotten to a point where I had committed a crime that got me that sort of sentence, I don’t see being rehabilitated. And I really don’t see a quality life in prison. We all die in the end, might as well cross that finish line sooner.

I would prefer life in prison unless I had done something so terrible I didn’t want to live.

@seawulf575 Manson is a prime example of why I’d just as soon die!!! Yes, he came up for parole but each time he was DENIED. He spent 46 years in prison (the last time) in solitary confinement. He sat alone 23 hours a day looking at the same 4 walls. He was allowed outside 1 hour a day but it was when there was no one else in the yard but him. Any human contact was prison guards or maybe a lawyer. For me, that would constitute cruel & unusual punishment!!! I don’t consider that living…only existing!!! I wouldn’t want to merely exist for 46 years!!! Actually, with his earlier jail stints, he had spent over 60 years in prison. I’d just as soon be dead!!!

@LadyMarissa I’d just as soon not commit the crimes. But my point was that instead of 9 life sentences without hope of parole, he had hope of parole. If that hope is strong enough to keep you going, you might want the life sentence.

On one hand, life without parole would make life pointless.

On the other hand, it would be an opportunity to work on your meditation skills without being concerned where your next meal is coming from or if there was going to be a roof over your head.

If innocent I would prefer to stay alive. If guilty it wouldn’t really matter to me.

Are you familiar with the bird man of Alcatraz?

@Patty_Melt If you are talking to me, yes, I know he raised birds in prison. I bet that’s not all there is to know, but…........

Actually, my comment wasn’t directed at anyone.
I wondered if that story influences anyone’s feelings on the subject.
There were lots of ups and downs to his imprisonment

I have heard several excons speak at different conferences and even a CE class. We can sort of forget that just because lives are lived out behind those walls, they can still be quite interesting.

Death. I’d be okay with death now and I’m not in any prison but existence.

It would be interesting to read about prison life.
Has anyone read any really interesting books on this subject?

^^^ I do believe that Mimi has read a good deal on the subject; so, you might want to check with her!!!