Life in prison vs. the death penalty

[beezlebob]

This is something I have always wondered about and I remember that someone here works in the legal profession (BigSug?). I was thinking about this again after seeing the news about the Green River killer.

Why do defendants plea down to life in prison from the death penalty? I mean if I was looking at spending the rest of my life in an abusive prison system vs. getting off this train. I think I would choose the latter. Even IF they are innocent and think that new evidence will surface it probably would be a decade or more before that would happen. Is it that will to survive that kicks in? On a side note why aren't there more suicides in prison? Again, is it just that instinct to survive?

[watusi]

i've wondered about that also.
although i think in the green river case,they were anxious to have the guy help in finding the remains of his victims and clear up some missing person cases.
on the other hand, i read that he could still be up for the death penalty in Washington. how would that work? life in one state,death penalty in another?

on a similar note,for some really disturbing reading,check this (http://www.thestranger.com/2003-10-30/feature.html) out.it happened in vancouver,b.c.
truly strange.

[beezlebob]

I understand why they do it to get more info out of a defendant, but the defendant still has to agree to it, so why does he? What is the incentive for the defendant?

"look man, we can kill you and you can take all your secrets with you or you can tell us everything and we will just subject you to a horrible prison life with no possibility of parole"

I don't get it.

[DaysWithoutEnd]

I think most of them want to confess, to a degree - but maybe they need an incentive. On the other hand, if I was a psycho I'd rather leave behind a mystery than a legacy.

[yvette7ica]

Originally posted by beezlebob
On a side note why aren't there more suicides in prison?

One of my co-workers served a 9 yr. prison sentence on a drug conspiracy charge. From his account there were plenty of suicides in prison, but to keep it hush they rush them to the nearest civilian hospital to pronounce them dead there. That way it doesn't look bad for the prison. I highly recommend reading the book Behind Bars by Dr. Stephen Richards. It's a very informative overview of the prison experience. A pretty short and easy read.


As far as the death penalty vs. life in prison...I'd have to go with the lethal injection.

Something with this case isn't sitting right with me. It just seemed too easy and smooth. If you were some lunatic who wanted some fame what better than to be convicted of the most serial killings.

[beezlebob]

Originally posted by yvette7ica


One of my co-workers served a 9 yr. prison sentence on a drug conspiracy charge. From his account there were plenty of suicides in prison, but to keep it hush they rush them to the nearest civilian hospital to pronounce them dead there.

Is the rape thing overblown or is that a real legitimate problem, or is that something that just is not discussed once someone gets out?

I have seen all those "behind bars" shows on TLC, etc and they scare the cr@p out of me.

[WalterSobchak]

from all the accounts that I have read from ex-cons, the rape thing is supposedly blown way out of proportion. for that matter, the interaction between people is blown out of proportion. Most people, psycho or not, just want to be left alone.

[yvette7ica]

It happens, but it's a means of power and violence. The media does blow it out of proportion, but it does happen. If you're an easy mark you may get tagged, but if you don't let anyone mess with you and are willing to stand up for yourself you may be okay. Violence only understands violence. (Paraphrased from Behind Bars)

I highly recommend checking this book out. It made me realize that prison is in someways different than how it is portrayed in the media. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding the prison system that aren't addressed due to the fact that they're "just criminals" and "they deserve what they get" mentality.

I think you're right Walter. From what I've learned also from several articles and books I've read on prison: most people just want to serve their time and be left alone.

What is anyone's opinion on ex-cons being college professors or having other professional jobs?

[eyeball]

I have a good friend that has been in Ely state prison in Nevada for 14 years. His time has been extended so much from fights and the like that I am not sure when (if) he will get out. The rapes most definately happen...and often of course to the fresh meat. He has been stabbed, stabbed others (one nearly died), been someones bodyguard (he's a big boy...6'3" 290lbs...all friggin' muscle now)....all to keep his ass to himself. I've spoke on the phone with him a few times and it is a rough sound behind him. you almost have to just kick the biggest guys ass in the place your first day or you are in for a miserable time.

He just wants to serve out his time and get the hell back to cali. but its hard for him to stay clean...drugs are everywhere, weapons are everywhere, gets in trouble for new ink here and there...they check you in prison and each time you have a new tat you get in trouble.

of course this is a state joint so I don't know if the federal places are better....I'd say they are.

[yvette7ica]

The guy I know spent time in Federal Prison. He said it's tough because you're not allowed as many personal items as you are in state, the transfers are constant for prisoners and guards. The prison he was in were all men who were 26 yrs. old and up. He said drugs and homemade weapons are common place. Actually, from reading up on some of this stuff state and federal prisons and jails aren't as comfy as a lot of people think they are.

[beezlebob]

I am too pretty to be in prison. I would be tagged in like 5 minutes. I would be just like that fat dude in the Shawshank Redemption who lost it and started crying for his Mommy. My request would be that at the time of sentencing that they kill me on the spot.

[Duemellon]

Just as people stranded on mountaintops who end up eating dead passengers to survive, the common person says "How could you? I'd surely starve to death before doing that! Not that what you did is depraved, but more because I couldn't imagine myself going through with that!"

When you're in that situation it all looks different.

I can say when/if I ever have to eat my brother's dead body to stay alive I really don't know what I'd do. But 100% of the people in that position of survival cannibalized.

Just pointing out how the view changes depending on where you're standing.

As for convicts returning to civilization...
I'm ALLLLLLL for it.

I mean, c'mon, why we gonna call it a Corrections/Reform facility if WE don't even believe they're reformed?

If you say, at the end of it all, that they're unsuitable to return as normal citizens, then why'd you lock them up that way in the first place? REFORM! REFORM!

[beezlebob]

So no one has really come up with any theories on the original question. Why do people plea down to life in prison? Is it just that the fear of death is greater than the fear of prison?

[yvette7ica]

Originally posted by rightstarter
Can't be exonerated or get off on a technicality or escape if you're dead.

Personally, I would rather die. Maybe that would change if placed in that situation. It could also be a matter of the deal of where they put him, which prison. I would think it would be better to serve in general population for life than on death row for 10 years.

[peedub]

i know if i were faced with the choice, i would choose a life sentence. i'm pretty anti-social anyway, and i wouldn't necessarily miss the "privelege" of participating in society (although, since i voted tues., the world seems much brighter). most criminals, i'm sure feel the same way. why die, when you could have the opportunity at higher education, solitude and security?

[Duemellon]

So no one has really come up with any theories on the original question. Why do people plea down to life in prison?

...vs...

the common person says "How could you? I'd surely starve to death before doing that! Not that what you did is depraved, but more because I couldn't imagine myself going through with that!"
(an anology)
and

When you're in that situation it all looks different.

and

Just pointing out how the view changes depending on where you're standing.