Our need for revenge is the reason we have this horrendous method of punishment. What I don't understand is Christians supporting the death penalty. We claim to trust God but apparently not enough to properly deal with a murderer. It is however very necessary to lock the person up for next to forever. In short crime of any sort should not be tolerated in the most rigorous manner possible.
Punishment is indeed one valid goal of society.
So is restitution. How can you expect the victems family to have to pay to keep that murder in jail for the res tof their lives. They after all are paying the taxes which pay for the jails. I believe that humans who have become disgusting beasts and it is well proven whould not be simply locked up in cages - but I do not think that I would have the courage to carry out the deed. We will never be comfortable with the likes of Karla Homulka or Clifford Olson living in our midst.