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Quite true Carac. Although it is well known that the people who feel strongest about capital punishment are usually people who've never lost a victim to murder. Mourning loved ones of such crimes very rarely want the caught offender to die, as they see that as an easy way out.

As Grayling puts it: The family of the victim have a lifetime of emotional torture and want the killer to have a lifetime of imprisonment, rather than an easy death.

Sam Slater wrote:

> and want the killer to have a lifetime of
> imprisonment, rather than an easy death.

Very few "life" sentences for murder actually mean life. A convicted murderer will serve a period in custody - between 7 to 8 years - and then is available for parole.

A convicted murderer will only be sentenced to longer periods in custody only if there is what is know as a 'Judge's recommendation'. The sentencing judge can "recommend" that the offender should serve a minimum of 15 years. This of cause can be challenged at any time by the offenders lawyers'.

If we are serious about punishing violent crime, then this is the area that needs looking at. Some people convicted of murder can be out within five years, while others can serve over 10. There needs to be some consistency.

It's bizarre that an armed robber can get twice the sentence of someone who has killed.

Personally, I feel that if you take a life, barring some exceptional circumstances, you should not expect to be released back into society until at least 15 years in jail. For the worst cases, no release date at all. But that's me.

Carac me old sprout, if you steal money, ie bank, post office you will get a long sentence because you are nicking the Queens money, if you murder someone you haven,t really altered the queens bank balance..

Cynical but true, Liz, old man.

Moi, cynical? ow can zis bee..